Facts You Need To Know About Pet Urine In Your Carpet

Urine in carpeting is a severe problem that requires major work, not just simple cleaning and treating.

Unfortunately, urine deposited on the fibers of the carpet does not stay only there. It penetrates and contaminates the fibers of the carpet, the cushion and the flooring below. Often, without the owner’s knowledge, pets will urinate consistently in the same general location. The average dog urinates approximately four ounces per deposit. The average cat urinates approximately 2 - 3 ounces per deposit. If you multiply this over a period of months, the amount of urine deposited reaches a magnitude of such proportions that even carpet and cushion replacement will not solve the problem. Urine odors will still permeate from the floor, be it cement or wood, from the tack strip, and even in extreme cases from the framework and behind the walls. Once absorbed into these materials the vapors are difficult to remove 100%.

As the urine dries, the liquid evaporates but the urine crystals, which consist of bacteria, urochrome, uric acid, urea, proteins, hormones and other ingredients, become even more concentrated and pungent. Simple cleaning will not remove this problem. Disinfectants and perfumes will not remove this problem. We have heard several reports of people doing major replacement of carpet and cushion in their homes and still not removing pet odors. Typically, the job we encounter has already been treated with several products purported to remove the urine odor. Many were not successful. People have simply had to live with the odor and try to cover it up with perfumes or chemicals.

Urine can affect the dyes used in carpet, although not all occurrences will result in a permanent stain. Success is dependent upon the content of the urine, the dyes, and any treatments applied to the carpet during manufacturing, the finish used, and the time elapsed after the deposit. Some urine spots may be immediately noticeable, while others may take weeks or months for a reaction. The dyes may change color immediately after contact with urine.

When urine spots develop slowly and are noticed after much time has elapsed, the dyes and carpet fibers may be permanently damaged. In beige carpet, blue dyes are attacked by pet urine, leaving behind the red and yellow dyes with a resulting stain appearing red, yellow, or orange. Over time the dyes can be bleached out leaving a white spot which may not be visible until after the “spots” are treated. Pet urine, left unattended, can damage carpet in several ways. Moisture can weaken the bond between the layers of the carpet, allowing separation or delamination of the backing material. Seam areas can be particularly vulnerable to damaged and can separate. Pet urine is specifically excluded from most carpet warranties because of the destructive impact on carpet or rugs.

Another problem, especially with cat urine, is odor. Unless the cat urine can be completely removed, complete odor removal is unlikely. A number of products are available to combat odor, but some may simply mask the odor, and, in times of high humidity, the odor may reappear.
Enzyme-based treatments are available at pet stores, veterinarian offices, and retail stores and online. Enzyme based treatments only partially solve the problem by reducing bacteria temporarily. Enzyme based treatments DO NOT address the root-cause of the problem, urine molecules. Do-it-yourself (DIY) treatments are available from a number of sources.

The DIY approach only partially addresses the situation often these are disappointing and actually make the problem worse. For example adding moisture, creating a chemical cocktail and without really knowing what you are doing and without proper extraction just spreads the urine. The root cause, urine molecules are not addressed and bacteria returns to the food source (urine).

That is why Chem-Dry’s P.U.R.T.® with Molecular Entrapment Technology is far superior to enzyme based treatments.
P.U.R.T.® is an oxidizer. Oxidizers work by adding oxygen to a stain and/or odor molecule and eventually breaking that molecule into fragments. The oxidizers in P.U.R.T. III work not only on the urine odors, but also on the urine stain itself. If that weren’t enough PURT uses Molecular Entrapment Technology We need to determine:
- Amount of urine in the carpet – age, condition & replacement cost of carpeting.
- Level of tolerance of the occupants.

Here is how the P.U.R.T. system works:

Option 1: Topical method: for mild to moderate urine odors. (odor mitigation)

1. The location and severity of the odor are determined using an ultraviolet light and an electronic moisture detector. Additionally, the carpet maybe pulled back to inspect the carpet backing, cushion and sub-floor for damage.
2. The carpet will be flushed with hot water or cleaning solution to remove as much of the urine crystals as possible. This is done several times.
3. The P.U.R.T. is heavily applied to the affected areas. The treated areas have to stay wet for 24 hours (do not dry). A fragrance maybe added to the P.U.R.T. so there is a pleasant sent during the treatment.
4. The carpet may need additional cleaning after it has dried.
5. The P.U.R.T. process will not stop your pets from returning to the location and once again urinating after the problem has been corrected. You need to prevent this from happening.

Option-2: Replacement Treatment: (Restoration) for moderate to severe urine odors. (Odor Restoration)

1. The location and severity of the odor are determined using an ultraviolet light and an electronic moisture detector.
2. The carpet will be pulled back. The cushion and tackles will be removed. The sub-floor will be cleaned and sealed with shellac. The walls and baseboards will be inspected and treated with P.U.R.T. or sealed with shellac as needed.
3. After the sub-floor, walls and baseboards have been sealed or treated and dried, then the new cushion and tackles will be installed. A sheet of heavy plastic will be laid over the new installation. Now the carpet will be flushed with hot water or cleaning solution to remove as much of the urine crystals as possible. This is done several times. The backing of the carpet will be treated and the carpet is now laid in place over the plastic and the fibers will be treated heavily with the P.U.R.T. The treated areas have to stay wet for 24 hours (do not dry). A fragrance maybe added to the P.U.R.T. so there is a pleasant sent during the treatment.
4. A return trip is necessary after the carpet has dried. The plastic will be removed. The carpet is now stretched into place and cleaned.
5. The P.U.R.T. process will not stop your pets from returning to the location and once again urinating after the problem has been corrected. You need to prevent this from happening.

P.U.R.T. AUTHORIZATION:  When we preform this work we want you to be aware of the above and indicate that it was shared with your by signing the following disclaimer.

I have read the information concerning pet urine damage and understand it. I fully understand that my carpeting is currently damaged due to urine deposits. Because urine is a complex mixture of ingredients, I understand that undesirable results may occur in the form of slight carpet shrinkage, wicking, browning, yellowing, discoloration or color loss. I hereby authorize Chem-Dry® of Allen County to perform the services listed on the invoice. I agree to the stated price for the services rendered and understand that there is no guarantee implied or expressed that all urine odors will be removed.

There are eight possible outcomes after the treatment:

1. Urine may damage the carpet by leaving a yellow stain from the dyes in pet food.
2. Urine may damage the carpet by removing color the pH of dried urine is 11 plus. Nylon and/or wool carpets and rugs will not tolerate this kind of ph level.
3. Some over the counter products may cause dye damage that may not become apparent until after the treatment.
4. If you have used a carpet deodorizers and not informed use there will be a charge to return to remove the deodorizers
5. The process may leave a white powdery residue, this is easily cleaned up
6. The process may leave a red tint to the carpet, this is easily corrected
7. The carpet will look great after the treatment
8. Some damage may not become apparent until after treatment