How to remedy a smelly house

[Brad Miller]

Good evening all, it’s my first time to Bigger Pockets forum. After 2 books and many Podcasts, I bought my first flip property. Shortly after clearing the hoarders things, we found animals(raccoons most likely) were living in the attic. I removed all sheetrock in the ceilings and all old insulation and bleached and cleaned, but after putting up new sheetrock, finishing, and priming and painting, the smell still remains upstairs. I removed all flooring but I think the smell is in the subfloor. Any ideas on what to use to remedy the smell? Any advice would be appreciated! 

[Jody Sperling]

Kilz oil-based or its equivalent paint is the way. Anything the animal pooped, peed, or sprayed on needs to be sealed in with an oil-based primer.

I speak from experience. Bought a house where the owner had smoked for a decade. He had two dogs that pooped and peed throughout the house. We tore out the carpet, the flooring and gutted the bathroom, painting every exposed surface with oil-based primer. 

Once the oil smell fades, there is no detectable odor. Hard work, but gets the job done when nothing else will. Best of luck!