HELP NEEDED!!! Cat filled house - Cat urine removal ceramic tile

[Casey Hunt]

All, I bought a house that has had cats living in it for a while with no owner. I was told about 25 cats. so you can imagine what the house looks and smells like. the entire house has ceramic tile. I assume the tile is ok but the grout has probably absorbed a majority of the smell. Is there a way to clean this to the point of no smell? Will I have to remove all tile, if so, what's the best way to remove it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Wayne Brooks]

What I have done....

1 regular mopping with cleaner and bleach

2 brush with acid wash

3mop with the “microbe” ( I forget exactly what it is called) wash made for that.

Use grout sealer when you’re done.

[Casey Hunt]

I was just reading that Hydrogen Peroxide, Baking Soda and Vinegar are all ammonia neutralizers. I will try all of this though. Did you KILZ the grout?

[Jim K.]

@Casey Hunt

Spend a few days removing most of the grout between the ceramic tiles with a grout removal blade on an oscillating tool. Install new grout and seal. Pull all the floor trim. Cut out the bottom 12 inches of drywall throughout the property . Paint the 12 inches of studs behind the drywall with Kilz Original Oil-Based primer. Replace with new drywall using screws and drywall clips. Finish the drywall, paint the wall, install new floor trim, paint new floor trim.

If you do this and the cat stink is not completely gone forever, you might as well walk away, because you'll never get it out.

I have 3 cats and one of them has had recurring bladder infections throughout her life. I know whereof I speak.

[Blake Van Ness]

Maybe rent a side by side or this machine called a taz. I work as a custodian and it gets the grout nice and clean. If not vinger, a brush to clean grout and regular mopping would probably work it will just take a long time

[Casey Hunt]

Thanks y'all.

[Elise Hazzard]

Others  on Mr.Landlord swear by "OdorXit'

I've not used it and am not affiliated.

Good luck

[Frank Maratta]

@Jim K.

So you would paint the studs with Killz? Just curious what painting the studs accomplishes? Unless I am missunderstanding.

[Jim K.]

@Frank Maratta

When drywall is professionally hung, it is levered up off the floor by a distance of 1/2 - 3.8 inches. Floor trim fills the gap between the floor and the bottom of the drywall. Cats tend to urinate in the corner of the wall and floor, and the urine tends to flows under the floor trim and drywall to get to the base plate and studs. The dry wood tends to absorb the pee.

One of the better things about oil-based Kilz is that it blocks odors well.

[Frank Maratta]

@Jim K.

I see what you are saying now. I didn’t realize cats peed in corners and on walls like that.

[Jim K.]

Originally posted by @Frank Maratta:

@Jim K.

I see what you are saying now. I didn’t realize cats peed in corners and on walls like that.

I'm pleased to have enlightened you with my profound insights on cat pee.

[Casey Hunt]

Thanks y’all. What do you think about the grout?

[Vern M.]

@Jim K. is right on the money on this!

@Frank Maratta also, male cats spray on the walls and I have seen some hit higher than 12". Drywall absorbs that like a sponge. When heating season starts...... its just bad. 

[Brandon Ingegneri]

@Casey Hunt

1. Windows open

2. Remove all contents if you haven’t already

3. Stanley Steamer

4. Bleach

5. Repeat

If you end up ripping flooring out, killz the sun floor. It will help encapsulate.

[Marian Smith]

@Casey Hunt you might try grout renew (or something). Supposedly epoxy paint that seals and colors grout. Custom BP brand at home depot. Cover floors with click lock vinyl and replace baseboards.