“How to Remove Cat Urine Smell from Subfloors, Walls, and Flooring”

Permanently eliminate deep-set cat urine odors using professional treatment — not short-term fixes.

Why Cat Urine Smell Is So Hard to Get Rid Of

Cat urine contains a combination of urea, uric acid, ammonia, and proteins. The uric acid forms crystals that bind tightly to porous materials like wood, concrete, and drywall. These crystals are hydrophilic, meaning they reactivate and release strong odor when they come into contact with moisture or humidity. That's why the smell often returns even after cleaning.

Surface cleaning may offer temporary relief, but if the odor has soaked into structural materials, you'll need to treat it at its source. Simply spraying disinfectants or enzyme cleaners on top won't solve the root problem.

Where Cat Urine Smell Hides

In homes with long-term or repeat contamination, urine can reach:

• Carpet padding and tack strips
• Plywood or OSB subfloors
• Baseboards, door trim, and wall studs
• Drywall behind litter boxes or furniture
• Concrete slabs in garages or laundry areas

Cat urine is also often missed in closets and corners where litter boxes are placed. These areas are poorly ventilated and often overlooked during basic cleaning.

Our Proven 6-Step Cat Urine Odor Elimination Process

1. Inspection: Using UV blacklights and moisture meters, we identify all areas affected by urine, including hidden spray along baseboards or under furniture.
2. Removal: We remove and dispose of all contaminated carpet, padding, tack strips, baseboards, and drywall if necessary.
3. Drying: Structural elements such as concrete slabs or wood subfloors are thoroughly dried using air movers or dehumidifiers.
4. Oxidizer Soak: A 24-hour oxidizer soak neutralizes urine crystals deep inside porous materials.
5. Odor Encapsulation: We apply our proprietary 5-year guaranteed sealer to lock out odor molecules permanently.
6. Final Verification: After treatment, we verify with both scent testing and UV light to ensure all odor has been eliminated.

Cat Urine Damage by Room Type

Bedrooms: Cat spray along baseboards and closet walls is common. If carpet is present, it usually requires full replacement. Urine often soaks into the pad and even tack strips beneath the carpet.

Closets: Cats frequently miss the litter box. This leads to heavy saturation in closet corners and drywall seams. Often drywall must be removed and trimmed back 6–12 inches from the floor.

Garages & Concrete Slabs: Raw concrete absorbs urine and holds onto odor for years. Our 24-hour oxidizer soak followed by a concrete vapor barrier primer seals the floor completely.

Why Enzyme Cleaners Often Make It Worse

Most enzyme products are water-based and not designed for structural remediation. They can activate old urine deposits, causing odors to intensify. Enzyme use can also create a sticky residue and increase humidity, spreading the problem deeper into surrounding materials. They’re best for small accidents — not long-term damage.

When to Call a Professional

If you’ve already replaced flooring or tried multiple cleaning products and the smell still comes back — it’s time to bring in a structural odor specialist. Severe ammonia odor, multiple pet accidents, or property-wide contamination is not something you can fix with store-bought spray.

We often work with property managers, landlords, and homeowners preparing homes for resale. Odor issues left unresolved can lead to lost deals, reduced property value, and legal disputes over pet deposits.

Case Study: Realtor in Woodland Hills

We were called in to inspect a property that had failed to sell due to a lingering odor. Although the flooring had been replaced, the odor returned within days. Our inspection found cat urine in the subfloor and lower drywall. After a full structural treatment and encapsulation, the odor was permanently removed. The home sold within two weeks, odor-free.

FAQs

• How much does it cost? Prices vary depending on the extent of damage. Inspections are available for a small fee, and we offer free phone estimates.
• How long does treatment take? Small jobs can be completed in 1 day. Larger or multi-room treatments usually take 2–4 days.
• Can you treat tile, vinyl, or laminate? Yes — we treat nearly all types of flooring. Laminate usually needs to be removed, and tile/concrete receives a soak + seal treatment.
• Do you offer a guarantee? Yes. All odor encapsulation treatments come with a 5-year odor-free guarantee.

Contact Pet Odor Removal Service

We specialize in severe structural pet odor remediation. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, property manager, or real estate professional — we can help you eliminate pet odor at the source.

Call 877-386-3677 or request a quote online.

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