Hey everyone! I recently bought a house at a steal, but now I'm faced with a stinky situation. The place reeks of animal urine, especially from cats (yikes!). I've already ripped out the flooring, baseboards, carpet, and some appliances, but there's one room where the subfloor is nailed down and I can't get it up without a demolition crew. I've been using a veterinarian disinfectant and cleaning as much as I can, but I'm worried the smell is here to stay. I've got some Killz sealant and plan to paint the entire house, but the basement is another challenge since it's concrete and obviously has been a spot for animal accidents too. Any tips on cleaning concrete and what to use to paint it afterward? I'm on day one of my cleanup, and while I've accomplished a lot already, I've still got a long road ahead. Any advice would be super appreciated! Thanks!
4 Answers
For the painting part, after scrubbing, look into specialized epoxy paints for concrete. They can seal in any unpleasant smells and protect the surface. Just be sure the concrete is dry and clean before applying. You might also want to check out more industrial cleaning methods if the odor is really bad—some folks use air hammers and diamond grinders to get deeper into the concrete.
I feel your pain! When it comes to cleaning the concrete, I'd recommend using a mix of 12% hydrogen peroxide—it's great for breaking down those lingering odors. Just make sure to ventilate the area well while you're at it. For painting afterward, look for a concrete sealant that’s designed for heavy-duty use. It’ll help block any remaining odors. You've got this!
Hey! For your basement, I'd suggest checking out ozone generators. They can help neutralize odors quite effectively, especially in enclosed spaces like a basement. Just follow the safety instructions and maybe consider using one after you've done the initial clean-up to tackle any lingering smells! Good luck!
Thanks for the tip, I’ll definitely give the peroxide a shot and keep it ventilated!