BiggerPockets

Has anybody dealt with a cat house before? A place that I am tempted to offer on stinks of cat urine. I figure that I would definitely tear out all the carpet flooring and base trim. However, I'm wondering if the subfloor needs to be replaced to get rid of the smell. Or is it possible that it could be sprayed with something, and then coated with a sealing primer?

Oh, forgot. You'll be able to tell the areas that need replacing when you pull up the carpet and padding because the wood will be deeply stained. I did the sand and seal on most of the rest of the areas, certainly anywhere with a hint of " water damage" on the wood.

You will probably only need to replace a couple subfloor panels per room.

" Kilz" is your best friend...

Beachbum, I've heard from others that Kilz works great to seal odors. Do you have personal experience using it on cat urine smells?

Biggerpro, You didn't end up having to remove the hardwood did you? This house actually has hardwood floors in part of the house, but they are covered with padding at carpet. It would be awesome if the hardwood could be refinished once the carpet is pulled up. ...but I have a feeling the hardwood is probably stained and smelly too. It might need to be torn up, or maybe coated in Kilz and then re-carpeted.

Thanks everybody for your input.

Whole-heartedly agreed - Kilz is your best friend.....if it is true hard wood - you do have a choice though.....Start by ripping out the carpet - in a lot of cases - the pad is what is holding a good chunk of the smell....pull the pad & tack strips out - if they are stained....once that's out for a day or so - then you can re-evaluate.....if you're gonna re-carpet - try with the Kilz before replacing the sub floor....you MAY be ok....also - they have a water based Kilz - easier to use than the oil based....JMHO....Thanks - Ken

As a painting contractor I have done extensive work with fire, and water damage, animal/human feces, Kilz is the only thing that works, and that is approved by insurance companies, just remember to reseal any corners or edges that are cut or broken after sealing.

Thanks for all the tips on the cat smells. I just found out there was an accepted offer on the house (and it wasn't mine). There ended up being 5 offers on this nasty smelly house. Oh well, now I know for next time I run across one of these.

Thanks,
Keith

Well priced REO Rehab properties have been going FAST around here. This is the 5th REO I've offered on in the past 2 months, and all but 1 of them had 3 or more offers.

This house was a case where it had been on the market for 5 weeks with little interest. So, they dropped their price $25,000, and then the investers came rolling in.

Post that device and any info you find. If it works permanently it might be worth buying. Right now we are planning on going the kilz route.

Okay, I found it. I have never tried the product for myself but according to Andy Rosas form the Coaching Institute it works great. He offered it as one of his " freebees" during the seminar. Check out this link.

http://www.ecoquestintl.com/customers/product_guide/commercial/ozone_blaster.asp
also.
http://www.thelivingairpurifier.com/

that was a quick search so you might be able to find a better deal somewhere else.

or go to google and search ecoquest. This particular product is the Ozone blaster.
He stated it is dangerous to be around the device while its working, turn it on, and get out, then come back turn it off, and your fowl odor will be gone, for good.

It looks like it costs around $600. According to Andy, you place it in the center of a room, turn it on, and return in a few hours.

I haven't read a whole lot of reivews yet, but If I see a lot of negative stuff, I'll report back.