Key Takeaways
| Factor | Patch Repair | Full Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $100–$200 per burn | $800–$2,000 per room |
| Best for | Small isolated burns, low-visibility areas | Multiple burns, visible areas, old carpet |
| Visibility | Slight color mismatch, noticeable in direct light | Uniform new carpet |
| Timeline | 1–2 hours | 1–2 days |
| Requires donor carpet | Yes—from closet or remnant | No |
| Longevity | Permanent if done correctly | 10–20 years depending on quality |
Types of Carpet Burns and Damage Severity
Surface burns affect only the top fibers. These come from cigarette ashes, small embers, or brief contact with hot items. The backing is intact. The fibers are singed or melted.
Deep burns go through the fibers to the backing. These come from dropped curling irons, flat irons, matches, or cigarettes left burning. The backing may be melted or damaged.
Large burns—bigger than a fist—usually come from space heaters, candles knocked over, or hot cookware set on the floor. These destroy both fibers and backing.
Scorch marks don’t create holes but discolor the carpet. Heat changes the dye. The fibers are intact but permanently darkened. These can’t be cleaned—only patched or replaced.
Melted synthetic carpet—polypropylene or nylon—creates hard, crusty spots. The fibers fuse together. Wool carpet singes but doesn’t melt the same way.
The severity determines whether patching works. Surface burns and small deep burns patch well. Large burns and extensive melting require replacement.
For general repair options, see our carpet repair guide.
When Patching a Burn Works
Small burns—cigarette-sized—patch easily if you have donor carpet. The installer cuts a circle around the burn, pulls a matching piece from a closet, and seams it in. This takes an hour and costs $100 to $150.
Surface burns where the backing is intact are ideal for patching. The installer can sometimes fix these without cutting a full patch. They trim the burned fibers and glue in matching fibers from the donor carpet. This works for burns smaller than a quarter.
Burns in low-visibility areas—under furniture, along walls, in corners—patch well. Even if the color doesn’t match perfectly, the patch isn’t noticeable.
Single burns in otherwise good carpet make patching worthwhile. You’re spending $150 instead of $1,500 to replace the room.
If the burn is in a low-traffic area, the patch will blend better over time. High-traffic areas wear the patch and surrounding carpet at different rates, making the patch more visible.
If you have leftover carpet from the original installation or donor carpet from a closet in the same dye lot, the patch will match closely. Remnants from a store rarely match well enough to be invisible.
When Full Replacement Makes Sense
Multiple burns in one room make patching impractical. If you have three or four burns scattered across a bedroom, you’ll spend $400 to $600 patching them. For $1,200, you can replace the entire room with fresh carpet.
Large burns—bigger than a fist—create noticeable patches. The seams are harder to hide. The patch draws the eye no matter where it is.
Burns in high-visibility areas—center of the living room, hallway, entryway—show even when patched perfectly. Light hits them differently. The pile direction may not match. Replacement gives a uniform appearance.
If the carpet is old, stained, or worn, patching a burn leaves you with a fresh patch in tired carpet. The patch looks out of place. You’ll want to replace the room soon anyway.
If you don’t have donor carpet and can’t find a matching remnant, patching won’t work. You can’t patch with mismatched carpet—it looks worse than the burn.
If you’re selling the house, buyers notice patched burns. They see it as damage. A fresh carpet eliminates the issue and may add value to the sale.
For replacement cost estimates, use our carpet cost calculator.
Cost Breakdown: Patching vs Replacing
A single burn patch costs $100 to $150 if the burn is small and you have donor carpet. Add $50 to $100 if the installer has to source a remnant.
Multiple patches in one room cost $300 to $600 depending on the number of burns and the complexity of the seaming.
Full room replacement costs $800 to $2,000 depending on room size, carpet quality, and whether padding needs replacement.
A standard 12×12 bedroom runs $1,000 to $1,500 for mid-grade carpet and padding. A 15×20 living room runs $1,500 to $2,500.
If only one room is burned and the rest of the house has good carpet, replacing just that room makes sense. If multiple rooms have issues, replacing the entire house may be more cost-effective. Bulk pricing reduces the per-room cost.
Patching saves money in the short term. Replacement saves money in the long term if the carpet is near the end of its life.
How Burn Patching Actually Works
The installer marks the damaged area with chalk or tape. They cut a square or rectangle around the burn using a carpet knife and straightedge.
Circles are harder to seam and rarely used. Clean straight edges seam better.
The cut goes through the carpet but not the padding. If the padding is melted, they cut that separately and replace it.
The installer finds donor carpet—ideally from a closet in the same room. The donor piece must match the pile direction. If the pile runs north-south, the patch has to run north-south.
They cut the donor piece to match the hole exactly. Even a millimeter gap shows.
If the padding is damaged, they cut a piece of new padding to fit. The padding thickness must match the existing padding or the patch will sit higher or lower than the surrounding carpet.
They apply seam tape or carpet adhesive to the edges of the hole. Some installers use both for extra hold.
The patch drops into place. The installer presses the edges with a seam roller to bond them. They trim any loose fibers and brush the pile to blend the seam.
For surface burns, the installer may skip the full patch. They trim the burned fibers with scissors, then glue in matching fibers cut from the donor carpet. This works for burns smaller than a nickel.
Matching Pile Direction and Dye Lot
Pile direction matters. Carpet fibers lean in one direction—usually toward the room entrance. If the patch runs the opposite direction, it reflects light differently and stands out.
The installer checks the pile direction by running a hand over the carpet. When the pile lies flat, you’re moving with the grain. When it stands up, you’re moving against it.
The donor piece must match this direction. If it doesn’t, the patch is obvious in sunlight or under lamps.
Dye lot is harder to control. Carpet manufacturers dye carpet in batches. Each batch varies slightly in color. A remnant from a store—even the same style and color—may be from a different dye lot.
Closet carpet is the best source. It was installed at the same time as the room carpet, so it’s the same dye lot.
If you don’t have closet carpet, check the basement, garage, or attic. Installers sometimes tuck remnants behind furnaces or in storage areas.
If no donor carpet exists, the installer can try to source a remnant. If your carpet is a current style, a local carpet store may have it. If it’s discontinued, you’re out of luck.
For more on donor carpet sourcing, see our guide on carpet patching.
Visibility and Long-Term Appearance
No patch is invisible. Even perfect seams show in certain light. The goal is to make the patch inconspicuous.
Fresh donor carpet looks newer and fluffier. The patch will be brighter and stand out until the surrounding carpet wears to match. This takes months or years depending on traffic.
Solid-colored carpet shows patches worst. Patterned or textured carpet hides them better.
Berber carpet is terrible for patching. The loop structure makes seams extremely visible. Expect the patch to show.
Cut-pile carpet patches better. The individual fibers blend at the seam.
Over time, foot traffic flattens the patch. It becomes less noticeable. Vacuuming and furniture placement help blend it.
If the patch is under a couch or rug, visibility doesn’t matter. If it’s in the middle of the room, expect to see it.
Preventing Future Burns
Don’t smoke indoors. Most carpet burns come from cigarettes. If you must smoke indoors, use deep ashtrays and never set a cigarette on the edge.
Keep candles on stable, fireproof surfaces. Use candle holders with wide bases. Never leave candles unattended.
Don’t use space heaters near carpet. Keep them on tile, hardwood, or a fireproof mat. Space heaters tip over easily and ignite carpet within seconds.
Use heat-resistant mats under curling irons and flat irons. These tools reach 400 degrees. A dropped iron burns through carpet instantly.
Don’t set hot cookware on carpet. Use trivets or cooling racks on countertops, not floors.
Keep fire extinguishers accessible. A small carpet fire can spread fast. Extinguish it immediately.
For homes with fireplaces, use a screen. Embers pop out and land on carpet. A screen prevents most accidents.
In commercial settings, use fire-resistant carpet. These carpets are treated to resist ignition and slow flame spread. They’re required by code in many commercial buildings. Learn more about commercial carpet options.
Finding Burn Repair Services in Ottawa
Not all carpet installers do repair work. Some only install new carpet. Look for companies that specifically advertise repair services.
Ask if they carry seam tape and tools on the truck. You want same-day service if possible.
Ask about donor carpet. If you don’t have closet carpet, can they source a remnant? If not, they may not be able to patch the burn.
Check reviews for mentions of patching or burn repair. Experience matters. A bad patch is worse than no patch.
Get quotes from at least two companies. Prices vary. Some charge by the burn, others have a minimum service fee.
For professional burn repair and patching in Ottawa, contact us for a free assessment. We serve all of Ottawa including Kanata, Barrhaven, and Orleans.
FAQ
How much does it cost to patch a burned carpet? $100 to $150 for a small burn. Larger burns or multiple patches cost $200 to $350. Full room replacement costs $800 to $2,000.
Can all carpet burns be patched? No. Surface burns and small deep burns patch well. Large burns, multiple burns, or burns without donor carpet require replacement.
Will a carpet patch be noticeable? Yes, slightly. Even perfect patches show in certain light. The goal is to make it inconspicuous, not invisible.
Can you fix a burn in carpet without replacing it? Yes, if the burn is small and you have donor carpet from a closet. The installer cuts out the burn and seams in a matching piece.
How big of a burn can you patch? Up to about six inches. Larger burns create noticeable patches. At twelve inches or more, replacement makes more sense.
What if I don’t have donor carpet for the patch? The installer can try to source a matching remnant from a carpet store. If the style is discontinued, patching may not be possible.
Can you patch Berber carpet burns? Technically yes, but the results are poor. Berber’s loop structure makes seams very visible. Replacement is usually better.
How long does a burn patch last? Indefinitely if done correctly. The seams should hold as long as the surrounding carpet.
Can you fix scorch marks in carpet? Scorch marks discolor the fibers but don’t create holes. You can’t clean them. Patching is the only option.
Is it worth patching a burn in old carpet? Probably not. A fresh patch in old, worn carpet looks out of place. If the carpet is near the end of its life, replace the room instead.