Why Underlay Matters (And When Carpet Repairs Can Help First)
Most people look at their carpet when something feels off.
But in a lot of Auckland homes, it’s actually the underlay causing the problem — not the carpet on top.
At Carpet Repairs, we see this every day. Hard floors, cold rooms, noise travelling between levels, carpet going flat fast — most of the time, the underlay is either old, poor-quality, or completely worn out.
Underlay Does More Than People Think
You can’t see it, but you feel it.
Good underlay gives a home:
- a softer, cushioned feel
- better warmth
- quieter rooms
- longer carpet life
Bad underlay gives you:
- crunchy noise
- cold floors
- flat carpet
- early wear
- smells that keep coming back
Fact: A quality underlay can reduce noise by up to 30% in a room.
Fact: Good underlay can extend carpet life by up to 50% because it absorbs impact instead of the fibre taking the hit.
When we do on-site assessments around Howick, Henderson, Glenfield, Takapuna, Papakura, these two points show up again and again.
Where Carpet Repairs Comes In
Not every problem needs new underlay straight away.
A lot of the time, we can:
- lift and refit carpet
- stretch ripples out
- repair damaged areas
- remove and treat smell issues
- fix loose or uneven sections
If the carpet itself is still healthy, these repairs save you money and buy you time.
But when we lift the carpet and the underlay is:
- crumbly
- damp
- thin
- smelly
- flat as cardboard
…then it’s time for a replacement.
We’ll tell you honestly which camp you’re in.
Auckland Homes Need the Right Underlay
Different homes need different solutions:
- Townhouses / apartments (Takapuna, Newmarket, Hobsonville):
Acoustic underlay — stops noise between floors. - Older villas (Mt Wellington, Avondale, Onehunga):
Moisture-barrier or high-density foam — stops cold floors and damp smells. - Busy family homes (Papatoetoe, Glenfield, Howick):
High-density foam or rubber — keeps carpet looking better for longer. - Lounge or bedroom upgrades:
Anything with good cushioning makes even simple carpet feel premium.
We match the underlay to how you live — not what’s on the box.
When to Replace Underlay (Not Just Carpet)
Replace your underlay when:
- carpet goes flat quickly
- floors feel hard underfoot
- odours return after cleaning
- you hear every footstep
- you can feel dips or uneven spots
- the carpet ripples repeatedly
If you’re already calling us for repairs, there’s a good chance we’ll check the underlay anyway. Half the time the carpet is fine — it’s the underlay that’s letting the home down.
Quick Summary
- Underlay does more work than the carpet.
- It affects warmth, comfort, noise, and how long your carpet lasts.
- Carpet Repairs can often fix the issues before you spend money on replacement.
- When we lift the carpet, we can tell you clearly:
clean, repair, or replace — whichever makes the most sense.
If you want us to check what’s going on under your carpet, we can take a look and give you the straight answer.
