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Flooring Design Dilemma

Sanding hardwood stained by cat urine

5 years ago

We are considering our options for flooring on our main floor. It's long and complicated, but one specific question I have is if we decide to refinish our existing floors (which I think are pre-finished 2.25" birch) will the sanding process bring up old cat urine smells? A few years back one of our cats was sick and peed a fair amount in a few places on the floor. It turned black in spots (mostly hidden by furniture so we aren't too bothered by it) but the smell went away. I've heard it can be really hard to get rid of that smell so consider ourselves lucky! I'm worried we will somehow stir it up again though be sanding??! Is that a concern? Thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

G & S Floor Service

5 years ago

Get rid of the smell for good by replacing the damaged boards.

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Comments (6)

raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
5 years ago
It is possible if the urine made it through the finish into the wood (it is also possible that you have learned to not smell it anymore!) Since the spots are discolored already, try treating the areas with hydrogen peroxide after the finish is removed. Re- apply a few times -- until it doesn't fizz anymore. Be sure to let the areas dry out thoroughly before refinishing (give it several days). This worked for me when I had the same issue with an elderly cat and urine soaked through carpet and pad to the floor.

Nature's miracle is another deodorizer to try.
beckington thanked raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
beckington
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks! Yes, totally possibly we don't smell it now but we've had lots of people in who don't live with cats that haven't noticed it. I'm just scared of making it worse so thanks for the tips for dealing with it!
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Two things. Is the meter accurate? Im not saying yours isnt but when i do a reading i always like to double check. Because the meters Can go outta whack and need adjustment. Now assuming the meter works in good fashion. You said water pipes are 20ft away that doesnt matter. If you have a leak water can travel. If you had a full blown leak youd know but condensation over time could cause the same issue. Pet stains in theory could get your high reading if the pets urinated in the area fairly recently. But you are left with two scenarios. One you get some fans out and let the floor dry out for a week and then retest. Or you rip up the floor in the area and inspect the subfloor. Was your floor cupping? Why did you start sanding?
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I (hope) suspect they had a pet sitter. We used to use one in our house when we went on vacation, but I can tell you, it's an imperfect system since my dogs would eliminate in the house (and the pet sitter wasn't nearly as eagle eyed as I am!) so we came home more than once to a stain on the rug. Luckily, heart pine seems to handle dog urine better than other types of floors. Have you tried a little wood bleach or oxalic acid (Bar Keepers Friend?) - try a bit in an inconspicuous spot and see if it helps. If yes, then go for it over the entire area. Or try Nature's Miracle first. Our dogs have been pretty awful about going out since we moved to this temporary apartment and I swear I've been through a gallon of the stuff on our living room rug. Some days I forget they're housetrained. Sigh.
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beckington
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks, G & S - we are certainly considering that option!
PRO
Oak & Broad
5 years ago
Its a good idea! replace.
beckington thanked Oak & Broad
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
I would just replace the stained boards since you are refinising them all. BTW I would never tell someone if I smelled cat urine in their house so keep that in mind,
beckington thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting

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