FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Urine odor in subfloor

| Posted in General Discussion on February 6, 2000 11:46am

*
Need hints/tips/suggestions for replacement of 3/4 plywood (glued and screwed) that has soaked up urine from a heavily soiled carpet. Also any ideas short of replacement would be appreciated. The room is approximately 12×14.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Guest_ | Feb 03, 2000 06:16pm | #1

    *
    I am guessing the smell is from dogs.We had the same problem in our house whren we bought it. The carpet & pad were so bad I was gagging while I took it up & drug it to the trash. I coated the floor with 2 coats of Kilz & it has worked fine. If that dosen't work or you don't want to take a chance, try a smoke block paint used for fire restorations.

  2. Barryt | Feb 03, 2000 07:20pm | #2

    *
    Don't you wish people would just keep their dogs outside? Or, housebreak them?

  3. Guest_ | Feb 03, 2000 08:52pm | #3

    *
    It might be a good idea to drench it with Nature's Miracle, an enzyme available a pet shops, and allowing it to dry before sealing with anything.

    1. Guest_ | Feb 03, 2000 08:59pm | #4

      *I've dealt with this problem with dogs, and cats. Dogs are nothing, compared to the retained, overpowering, ammonia smell of cat pee.Rob's solution is good. The Kilz is fairly cheap and does a pretty good job. What smell gets through that will eventually dissipate, unless you need to get behind mouldings or up on the walls (cats can spray onto walls too).If it's hardwood floors, I've solved the problem with normal sanding/refinishing with good gymfloor polyurethane. That works even better than the Kilz.If your subfloor is really supersaturated in certain areas, you may need to remove some ply and replace it.Is the area below the room(s) used? That could need some attention too.Good luck. This is a very frustrating problem, but you can take care of it without reframing your house

      1. Guest_ | Feb 04, 2000 12:05am | #5

        *I have a fair number of cats and one of my little bastards keeps peeing in my wood pile. I usually spray some bleach on the stain and let it soak for a bit then wipe it off. It completely removes the amonia smell. I suppose the other products mentioned work just aswell and are probably less "nasty" to work with. I don't think you have to replace any of the subfloor if you can completely kill the smell. I'm not familiar with the other products mentioned but bleach is really aggressive and it should work. Be carefull when using bleach(or any chemical for that matter). It's considered a hazardous material. Wear gloves and a mask when using high concentrations.Gaby

        1. Guest_ | Feb 04, 2000 09:28pm | #6

          *Like my dogs say:"Cat" the other white meat.

          1. Guest_ | Feb 04, 2000 10:15pm | #7

            *LOL Gaby, "A fair number of cats" bears simile to a zoo having "a fair number of animals" hee hee!

          2. Guest_ | Feb 05, 2000 01:59am | #8

            *are you sure it is pee, and not the smell or spill of a renter who had a meth lab, nearly the same smell I have been told.

          3. Guest_ | Feb 05, 2000 04:57pm | #9

            *Once worked in a hotel where we discovered a guest's body several days after he had expired. (You'd be amazed at the number of people that commit suicide in hotels)The smell was worse than anything I've ever smelled and days after the body was removed, still was strong.We tore out the carpet, mattress (so soaked with blood it was "glued" to the box spring", wallpaper, and bleached everything. No better.We then sealed the walls, floors, and ceilings by spraying Kilz. It worked.

          4. Guest_ | Feb 06, 2000 10:39am | #10

            *Natures Miracle is absolutely the ticket here. I was skeptical about using it at first after our male, unneutered cat peed on the carpet and wall. I didn't think anything other than complete removal of building material would work until I tried that product. All you do is completely soak the area and let it air dry. The enzymes do all the work. Completely eliminates the smell - not even a hint is left. I'd definitely try it before ripping up any subfloor.

          5. Guest_ | Feb 06, 2000 11:46am | #12

            *ROFLMAO.......I damned near choked on my Cattalloni between gaby's post and yours.I only wish I would have been sitting at the kitchen table next to the fish bowl when Gaby wrote that one.Damn, my gut hasn't got that big of a workout since the last episode of Sanford and Sons.Rip out the damned plywood. "86" the freeking cats.Covering up that stuff is like placing the kitty litter in a tied up plastic bag and stashing it in the broom closet. It'll come back to haunt you another day.Still laughing my A** off Mad Dog!!

  4. norml | Feb 06, 2000 11:46am | #11

    *
    Need hints/tips/suggestions for replacement of 3/4 plywood (glued and screwed) that has soaked up urine from a heavily soiled carpet. Also any ideas short of replacement would be appreciated. The room is approximately 12x14.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

A New Approach to Foundations

Discover a concrete-free foundation option that doesn't require any digging.

Featured Video

Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by Brick

Watch mason Mike Mehaffey construct a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes.

Related Stories

  • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • A Drip-Free, Through-Window Heat Pump
  • Insulation for Homes in the Wildland Urban Interface
  • An Impressive Air-to-Water Heat Pump

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Old House Journal – August 2025
    • Designing the Perfect Garden Gate
    • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data