There is nothing worse than trying to get rid of the foul urine smell from pets, dogs, and cats out of the concrete of your garage floor or basement. It seems like no matter how much you clean, the smell won’t go away. This is particularly true for cat urine. We will cover the best methods for removing cat and pet urine odor in your concrete. We will include how to seal your garage floor or basement to block any odors that may remain from concrete with particularly heavy urine issues.
Most concrete with pet urine odor must be treated in a two-stage process. Sometimes it may even require an additional stage depending on the type of urine odor remover or pet enzymatic product used.
In addition, it also helps to use a wet vac if you have one. It is most helpful if you have a basement with urine odors and no drain available. The wet vac helps draw bacteria out of the concrete during cleaning. Carpet cleaners can work in a pinch for vacuuming up liquids as well.
Pet urine odor and stains won’t go away with normal cleaning
We guess you may have already tried cleaning the urine stains to remove the odor in the concrete without good results. The stain may or may not be gone, but the smell remains. That is why it’s important to learn why the urine odor still exists and why conventional cleaning methods do not work. Doing so can save you some time and expense.
Concrete is actually porous like a sponge. If liquid is allowed to sit for a while, it will absorb most anything. This is why it’s hard to get stains out of concrete.
When urine is introduced to concrete and allowed to dry, the uric acid crystals present in urine bond tightly to the concrete. Unfortunately, these crystals form deep within the pores and capillaries of the concrete since the urine was allowed to soak – sometimes multiple times for days or even months.
Despite numerous cleanings, uric acid crystals are insoluble and will not bind with regular soaps and other cleaning agents. Thus, the crystals stay attached to the concrete and the smell remains.
The smell may dissipate temporarily after a good cleaning, but as soon as any moisture or moisture vapor is introduced again, it can come back just as strong as before. Basements can be particularly susceptible to this.
The reason the smell returns is that uric acid salts allow crystals to reform as soon as moisture (humidity for example) is introduced. This releases a gas that has a pungently strong odor.
The best way to stop the smell is to use an enzymatic cleaner that attacks and breaks down the uric acid crystals and separates them from the concrete.
Steps for removing Cat and pet urine odors from concrete
- Identify urine areas in concrete using a U.V. light or black light
- Clean the affected areas with a proper cleaner to remove bacteria
- Let the affected area dry throughout – not just the surface
- Treat the affected areas with an enzymatic pet odor remover
- Do not skip any steps or take shortcuts
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How to identify urine odor stains in concrete
To get the best results from an enzymatic pet urine cleaner, you must first identify the exact areas in the concrete affected by the urine.
Many times the source of pet urine odor can easily be identified, such as an area where pets were kept in a pen. However, sometimes it may not be so easy to detect.
This is often the case for people who have moved into a home that previously had pets, only to find that the garage floor reeks of a foul urine smell. Stains may have previously been cleaned thus hiding the source of the odor.
One tool that does a good job of identifying pet urine is a UV light or black light. These here from Amazon do a good job.
Close the doors and then turn on the black light. Hold it no more than three feet off the concrete as you scan the floor in sections. Old urine stains will stand out as blue, green, or yellow markings on the concrete.
We like to encircle the far outside area with arrows pointing toward the urine stain. Chalk works well for this provided you don’t get it wet. Be sure to check the first two feet of your walls from the floor up as well. Sometimes cats will spray urine on the walls. This requires removing and replacing the affected section of drywall to get rid of the smell.
If for some reason the UV light does not reveal any stains, the old standby that will work is your nose. This takes longer but it is effective. Open the doors to air out the garage and get rid of the immediate smell. After that, get down on your hands and knees and start sniffing. Trust us; you will know when you find it!
Clean the pet urine stains with TSP
After you have identified where the urine is located, it’s important to properly clean the area to rid the concrete of bacteria and other residual urine elements. Contrary to popular belief, most enzymatic cleaners do not remove bacteria.
Once you know where the urine stains are, the first step is to scrub the area with a strong solution of ½ cup TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) to 1 gallon of hot water. TSP mixed at this ratio is very strong. Gloves and eye protection should be worn for safety.
What the TSP does is remove all the bacteria, most if not all of the stains, as well as remove other residue left from the urine. It will leave only the uric acid crystals behind. This will allow the enzymatic pet urine cleaner to work faster and more efficiently at removing the uric acid crystals.
Pour the hot TSP solution onto the urine stain or identified area and scrub it with a short bristled nylon brush. A deck brush works well for this. Make sure that you keep the area wet for at least 10 minutes or more to allow it to soak into the concrete. The solution will follow the same paths as the urine did and will need some time to work its way down into the concrete.
Do not be surprised if the smell increases as you soak the concrete. It is a combination of urine residue and uric acid crystals reacting and releasing gas from contact with the water.
Once the area has been scrubbed and allowed to soak long enough, pour clean hot water over the treated area again and then vacuum up the water with the wet/vac. Carpet cleaners will work for this as well. You will want to do this at least twice. For heavily treated and soiled areas, three times would be better.
This hot water rinsing will remove the TSP solution and help to suck up any remaining urine residue that is in the concrete. Treat any additional areas in the same fashion (scrub, soak, rinse), and then allow the concrete to dry at least overnight. 24 hours or more is best. Pet urine enzymatic cleaners work best when the concrete is completely dry before treatment.
As a note, the TSP may create a whiter-looking area on your garage floor since it is getting the concrete very clean. If that is the case, you may want to scrub the rest of your concrete after you are done with the same TSP solution. This will achieve a more consistent (and clean) look on the floor.
Using a hose with a high-pressure nozzle works fine for this to speed up the rinsing process. You are just removing dirt at this point and not sucking up urine residue. We have more tips for cleaning a garage floor here.
Apply pet urine enzymatic cleaner to concrete
Pet enzymatic cleaners work by using bacteria (the good kind) to digest malodors, waste, and stains. These bacteria produce enzymes that break down the molecules of the uric acid crystals into smaller bits. This allows the bacteria to digest the smaller bits and break them down into the two basic components of carbon dioxide and water. They are the best product for removing the smell from cat urine.
Because you are working with concrete and not carpet, we suggest using a product that is available in concentrate or gallon jugs and not something that comes in a spray bottle. Unlike carpet, you will need to use liberal amounts of the enzymatic cleaner.
The reason for this is that most enzymatic products need some sort of exchange with air. Since most of the uric acid crystals are deep in the concrete, it takes more time for the required air exchange. It will also take time for the concrete to absorb the enzymatic cleaner. Since some of the cleaner will evaporate on the surface as it soaks in, more will need to be used.
One of the best products for removing cat, dog, and pet urine odor is Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator. It has worked wonders for us and we highly recommend it.
It has stellar reviews and we know of more than one kennel that uses this as its go-to odor eliminator. Furthermore, it’s available in gallon jugs and does an excellent job when given time to work. You can find it here on Amazon.
There are many other products with good reviews that you can shop for here if you prefer. We recommend staying away from the products that require mixing with carpet shampoo as these will not be as effective on concrete.
Be sure to follow the directions for the product you choose. Pour it onto the stained area and then start scrubbing it in with a deck brush. Keep it wet for at least 10 minutes or more. You want the concrete to absorb as much of the solution as possible.
For the best results, temporarily cover the wet area with a cheap painter’s tarp to help avoid evaporation of the solution. This will give it more time to soak into the concrete. Rinsing is not required. The enzymatic cleaner will break down the uric acid crystals into carbon dioxide and water which will dissipate on its own.
Particularly bad-smelling areas may require multiple treatments. This is because it will take time and more enzymatic cleaner to soak into the concrete and do its work. Remember, you may be dealing with an area that allowed the concrete to soak in urine for weeks or months.
DO NOT RUSH THE PROCESS! This is the biggest mistake people make. As we stated, enzymatic urine odor removers require time for the good bacteria to digest the uric acid crystals. If you rush the job, you will not be successful.
Sealing concrete from pet urine odors
On rare occasions, it may require sealing the concrete to prevent any residual pet urine odor from working its way back to the surface. Sometimes people want to do this even though the odor is gone. They just don’t want to take the chance of it returning.
The only type of sealer that will work is a non-breathable, topical concrete coating. Garage floor coatings are a great example. Garage floor coatings are film-forming and do not breathe. They will block odor molecules from transferring through the coating. Acrylic sealers and penetrating sealers will not work. They are breathable and will allow the odor molecules to pass through.
The least expensive to apply is EpoxyShield by Rust-Oleum. You can find it here on Amazon. Do not use 1-part epoxy paint. 1-part epoxy paint is paint and not a true 2-part epoxy coating. Paint breathes and will not seal out the urine odor.
Applying a garage floor coating requires grinding or etching the concrete before application. If you know that you will be applying a coating before you treat your garage for pet urine odor, we recommend treating the concrete after you grind or acid etch.
The concrete prep process will open the pores of the concrete and allow pet enzymatic cleaners to be absorbed into the concrete more easily. It will allow slightly more air transfer as well. The result will be a quicker and more effective use of the cleaner.
Once the coating is applied and has fully cured, it should effectively block any odors that remain in the concrete.
Leslie says
Our home basement has a bad cat urine smell. I’ve used tsp and enzymatic cleaner and the smell is better. I will do again to see if that helps. My question regards epoxy sealing. The floor has been previously painted with what I would guess is Kilz. Can I seal over this?
Shea says
Hi Leslie. Yes, the Kilz would need to be removed first. In addition, the Kilz is most likely preventing the TSP and enzymatic odor remover from penetrating the concrete properly in order to remove all the uric acid crystals that create the smell. Our suggestion is to remove the paint and do another treatment. Because this is a basement, there may be moisture vapor issues in the concrete as well. It should be tested for moisture after the paint is removed. This will indicate whether or not you can use epoxy. If you can’t, then the only option would be a paint since they breathe and do not completely seal like epoxy does. Our recommendation would be Kilz Odor Blocking Primer.
RM says
Zinsser BIN shellac primer is effective at odor blocking on both wood and on drywall. It’s a very effective vapor retarder (0.6 perms) and I’ve had quite a bit of success with it for sealing-in old urine stains. I’m careful not to use detergents when pre-scrubbing lest the primer’s adhesion suffer. I just scrub the best I can with a damp cotton rag then coat the product right over the urine.
Shea says
Hi RM. We know of cases where it has worked doing just that and cases where it didn’t. In cases that it didn’t, it made for much more work since the shellac had to be removed in order to clean the surface and remove the urine properly as it should have been first. That is why we outline the steps that we recommend.
L says
One of my dogs peed on sealed concrete floor. Should I be following the same process here or a different one?
Thanks
Shea says
Hi L. Just clean the area with a TSP solution and you should be fine. It takes a while for urine to soak into sealed concrete. Unless it’s a spot that the dog frequents and it has not been cleaned, no other steps should be necessary.
RM says
In your opinion, what is the ideal flooring for spaces with a high likelihood of pet “accidents?” Let’s assume cost is not an object, concrete slab, and the space will have no vehicular traffic. What materials would you spec for this?
Shea says
Hi RM. Assuming this is indoors (garage or home), then a high solids to 100% solids commercial quality epoxy is best. If applying a clear coat, then use the same epoxy or a commercial polyurea. Pet urine is slightly acidic by nature and epoxy is highly resistant to it. That’s why it is typically used in kennels. If it is for inside the home, then a 100% solids is recommended since it has no VOC’s to worry about. High solids epoxy has solvents in it that disperse easily in a garage, but not inside the home.
Kim says
We are planning on grinding, etching, and then sealing our new basement floor prior to allowing our cats and dogs access. Will this sealer (as mentioned) protect the concrete from their urine? How many coats should we apply and how often do you think we should apply?
Shea says
Hi Kim. Are you referring to an epoxy coating?
Jane Deitrick says
I have 6 cats and 10 cat pans on my basement, they do use both the pans and the floor. I’ve taken everything out of the basement and did the TSP treatment 4 times and used the Rocco & Roxie after the last time. Unfortunately it didn’t work. The urine is still present. We layed large sheets of plastic around the perimeter of the basement and put pads on top so we just remove the soiled pads but the basement still smells. We cant seal it because per the company,there is no guarentee the sealler will work on cat urine.
Shea says
Hello Jane. Did you allow the concrete to completely dry for a few days before the Rocco & Roxie treatment? Though the surface may be dry, it can take days for the interior of the concrete in a basement to dry. Rocco & Roxie (as well as other enzymatic cleaners) need a dry environment to work. In addition, for heavily contaminated areas it will usually take more than one treatment of an enzymatic odor remover. Also, have you checked the walls? Cats in particular are known for spraying up to a few feet up the walls. I don’t know what sealer you are referring to.
Jane Deitrick says
Yes, we let the floor completely dry before using Rocco &Roxie. I followed all directions. I still use Rocco & Roxie for the odor. The dealer I mentioned was Concrete Sealers USA. I would love to know how to get the cats to just stop urinating. They choose a different spot each day. So far they’re going on the pads and if it gets on the plastic I use Urine Off to clean it or if it’s to bad I replace the plastic. The cat pans are cleaned twice a day. I use cement pans for 5 of the pans.
They’re longer and wider then regular pans. Each one takes about 42 pounds of litter. Twice a year we replace all pans. I spent almost $400 between Rocco and Roxie, plastic and TSP. Rocco is $60 a gallon.
Shea says
Concrete Sealers USA was correct. They sell penetrating sealers which are breathable and do not leave a film forming coating on the surface. You would need to apply a 2-part epoxy floor coating. These type of coatings will don’t breathe and do a much better job at blocking odors. Have you used a black light to check the walls?
Jane Deitrick says
Yes, we use a black light. So far nothing on the walls. I make sure the pads are able to cover the wall 3″ up from the floor. They seem to just be going on the pads. I also put pads underneath the plastic so if they try to scratch the plastic it won’t go on the concrete. I love my cats but this is getting so frustrating!! They have a good home and to me, there is no reason for this behavior. I even reached out to Jackson Galaxy, {my cat from hell) but he charges $1500 for a virtual consultation.
Pamela Bernier says
I will be doing this in the basement of a home I just purchased. My question is, what is the safest way to dispose of the dirty water from using the TSP solution and the enzymatic cleaner? I have a septic system.
Shea says
Hi Pamela. You don’t want the diluted TSP solution and rinse water to go into the septic tank. If you have a drain in the basement, make sure to plug it first before initiating cleaning with the TSP. Use a wet shop vac or carpet cleaner to suck up all the solution after the rinse. You can do one of two things with the waste water. The first is to contact your local hazardous waste disposal for your area and ask how to bring it in. The second option would be to pour it out in a shallow container or two and allow it to evaporate. The dry residue left at the bottom can be safely disposed of in your trash. You don’t need to worry about the Rocco & Roxie solution since it needs to soak into the concrete and dry. There will not be any wet solution to remove.
Ann says
When we moved into our new house, the newly finished basement became the storage locker. Then one of our cats got sick and started peeing on the carpet down there, and then the other cats followed. And we ended up with multiple problem areas.
My intention was to pull up and dispose of the carpet, clean the floor and use Killz Restoration Maximum Stain & Odor Blocker.
However, in pulling up the carpet, we’ve revealed what is a very old (original) concrete floor that was painted red. And I worry that given the age, it is likely lead paint.
Can I still use the TSP and wire brush to clean, or will I end up polluting my house with lead paint/lead dust?
Shea says
Hello Ann. The first thing you need to do is test the paint. You can purchase lead paint test kits recognized by the EPA. They are usually found at your local hardware or home improvement center. The biggest problem is if the paint is chipping, flaking, peeling, or dusting. If that’s the case, then it should be removed. It can be done DIY, but there are many safety precautions to follow. Check your local regulations.
Assuming the painted surface is sound and indeed lead paint, the good news is that you can clean the surface with TSP. TSP will actually neutralize any lead paint dust on the surface. DO NOT use a wire brush. Just use a mop and make sure to wear an N95 rated dust mask. After it is cleaned and rinsed well, we highly recommend that you encapsulate the surface with a paint or product rated to encapsulate lead paint. If the urine smell remains after the cleaning and before you encapsulate, we can advise how to use epoxy. It’s one of the approved methods for encapsulating lead paint.
Amy says
I get very paranoid about cleaners and safety. Is it dangerous to use the TSP solution indoors and still have people live in the house?
Also, are there companies/people that I could hire to do this for me?
Thank you
Shea says
Hi Amy. Like all cleaners, using them with respect makes a big difference in regards to safety. TSP has been banned in some states, mostly due to ecological concerns. Heavy concentrations for in home use is not recommended as it can cause difficulty breathing in tight spaces and skin irritation. The mix solution we recommend is not considered heavy. In addition, you should always use gloves when working with TSP. There are companies that specialize in odor remediation. Just do an internet search for your area.
Amy says
It’s a whole basement that needs to be done. We had to rip the carpet up and now it’s cement but the mess is all over the floor. So, you said we should NOT use TSP in the basement then? What would you recommend to use?
Thank you so much!
Shea says
You can use TSP, Amy. What you don’t want to do is use heavy concentrations of it. For example, we recommend 1/2 cup to 1 gallon of water. 2 cups or more of TSP to 1 gallon of water is leaning towards a heavy concentration.
Amy says
Thank you! Where are you located and can I hire you? (Serious question)
Shea says
Thanks for asking, Amy. However, we are an informational website only and do not offer services or products.
Jen says
In my basement I have the barely there commercial grade type carpeting. I’m assuming I can use the method you’ve described in this article to get rid of the smell? Because the carpet is so thin, no padding or anything, will it soak into the concrete some below it? Maybe eventually I’ll rip it up and make into more of a living space, but for now I’m just concerned about the smell.
Shea says
Hi Jen. No, the method we outline is for concrete only. You will need to follow methods prescribed for carpeting. If the urine has soaked through the carpet to the concrete, then it will require that you pull up the carpet in that area and treat the concrete as well with the method we describe above.
Meagan says
Can you use this same method on Carpet or do you need to do something different on indoor carpet?
Shea says
Hello Meagan. No, this method is for concrete only. We are not completely familiar with the best way to remove pet urine smell from carpet.
Rachel says
Hey there, I have a question that I am hoping you can help answer, related to sealing the concrete floor after cleaning, and what to do with the floor after.
I am in the process of replacing carpeting in a basement due to years of a cat peeing in some corners. My plan is to first deep clean the cement, and because of the volume of cat pee, I expect I’ll need to seal the concrete in some areas afterwards. After this is all done, I want to install engineered hardwood using the glue-down method. I am having a hard time finding information about how to prepare cement subfloors for the glue down method, and I am not sure if a cement seal would allow glue to bind to it for hardwood floors.
Can you provide more information about cement seals, and applying glue after for installing engineered hardwood floors? If not, do you know where I could find more information? Thank you so much, this article is very helpful.
Shea says
Hi Rachel. Before we try to answer your questions, can you tell us if your basement floor has had any moisture vapor issues in the past? Has it shown any signs of moisture or been tested for it?
Rachel says
Hi Shea, as far as I can tell there have been no moisture issues. The house has been in the family for 10+ years. I do understand that before installing hardwood I’ll need to measure the moisture content of the concrete, but I haven’t done that yet. The basement is more like a half basement, as it is built into a hill – the front half is above ground, and the other half is in the hill.
Thank you!
Shea says
Ok, here are all the things that you need to consider. Be sure to use a black light as we describe in the article to check the walls as well as the floor so that you know exactly where the urine is. Do moisture testing as soon as you can as that will determine what type of flooring you can go with. After you have gone through the odor remediation steps, give the floor time to dry to determine if the odor is still there or not. Remember, sometimes it takes multiple applications to get it all. If you determine that the odor still persists and you want to seal the floor, then it will require that you apply a 2-part epoxy coating – not paint or 1-part epoxy paint. Epoxy coatings do not breathe and allow transfer of water vapor, odor molecules and etc. The epoxy can only be applied if the moisture tests are negative. Otherwise, it will peel in areas where moisture is present. Make sure to test a few areas near the hill. You cannot apply a traditional penetrating concrete sealer or paint. Those type of sealers, as well as paint, breathe and will not stop the odor.
If you have to apply the epoxy, then you may need to consider another flooring option such as free-floating vinyl wood plank. The reason is that most glues for engineered wood need to be applied to bare concrete that has been properly prepped and tested for water absorption. Most of these glues cannot be applied to floor coatings. If you still want to pursue glued down engineered wood, then we suggest you talk with a wood floor expert and ask if there are any glues available that are an exception to this rule. At minimum, it will require sanding the surface of the epoxy with 60 grits sandpaper to try and create a rough enough profile for the glue to adhere.
Thomas says
I have a concrete pad in my crawl space that I believe has either been contaminated by cat urine or more likely has been covered with sap or seedlings from 6 large boxwood plants that are known to smell exactly like cat urine. For years I thought there were cats around but now realizing it was most likely the plants that were responsible. The shrubs grew just inches away from the crawl space vent so I believe material from the tree has passed through the vent. Any chance the Roxie will work or is there another approach? The smell is strong, makes the room above the space nearly unusable, and gives me a headache. The concrete was poured with a vapor barrier below so I am fairly certain the smell is not coming from below the slab. Thank you
Shea says
Hi Thomas. Wow… What we can tell you for sure is that Rocco % Roxie will not work if it’s sap from the Boxwood plants. Enzymatic cleaners work on organic urine crystals, not sap. Do you have sap stains or marks on the concrete? If not, then it may be urine you are dealing with. If it’s Sap, then it can be very hard to remove from concrete. Solvents such as acetone or MEK usually work best at removing it if it hasn’t soaked too far into the surface. Bug tar removers can work somewhat as well.
Thomas says
Thank you for your reply. I don’t have sap stains, but I am still speculating that there is material from the plant that made its way into the space. Would covering the area with a plastic vapor barrier prevent the smell from transferring. can even put a suction under the plastic to prevent buildup of the odor. Since this is a crawl space I don’t care it it is in place permanently. I don’t know if I could put the sealer down as I will not be able to prep the floor well enough. The odd thing is, the smell is not that noticeable to my kids or less so with my wife. I think being around it so much trying to remove it, I have created some sort of sensitivity if that makes sense.
Shea says
The plastic would help if you could seal the edges well. I’m not so sure it will completely block the odor though. It’s worth a try since you are working with a difficult area.
Amy says
Hi Shea,
I know this is mainly about garage floors but really hope you can help us. We moved into an apartment last August and there was a foul smell of what we thought was urine in one of the bedrooms. As it turned out the couple before us had a cat and it lived in this bedroom. The carpets were cleaned many times, even professionally, but the smell kept coming back. As a last resort, the carpet was removed and new carpet and underlay was laid. Unfortunately, this did not solve the problem, as after about 6 weeks or so we started to notice the smell again and it grew it its pungency. We are nearly back to square one at this stage. The under flooring is concrete and the way the carpet and underlay was put down, i don’t see a way of getting it up without damaging them. We have located the general area to a section of the room beside the window. Thanks for reading and any help or direction would be greatly appreciated at this stage.
Shea says
Hi Amy. That is really unfortunate. If the urine is in the concrete, there is nothing you can do other than to pull up the carpet and pad in that area and treat the concrete as we describe in the article. Out of curiosity, have you checked the walls with a black light? We’ve known of more than one cat urine problem that was solved when it was discovered the cat/s had sprayed on the walls. Removing a section of the drywall that was sprayed and replacing with new solved the problem.
Nancy says
Can you use tsp on colored concrete basement floor and where do you get it?
Shea says
Hi Nancy. Yes, you can use TSP on colored concrete. However, stronger solutions may lighten the surface color. We suggest you test an inconspicuous area first. TSP is available from most home improvement centers and hardware stores, though it is banned from some select states.
Juli Spann says
My brick fireplace wreaks of cat urine (a stray my daughter bright home!). I have cleaned it but the odor is still very strong. The fireplace has gas logs which make it difficult to clean out. Can I use siloxane to seal the bricks /concrete and eliminate the odor. Or something else?
Shea says
Hello Juli. No, penetrating sealers, including siloxane, are breathable. Odors molecules will freely pass through. It will require that you remove the gas logs to access all the areas affected and clean as demonstrated in the article.
Barbara says
Hi
I have a main back entry with a cement pad or deck that has a paved driveway running along side. We live in Canada and I have a 18 year old totally blind Westie dog who just has a hard time finding her way around outside so she tends to pee on this cement pad. We try to discourage her from doing this but its tricky. The smell at this door is very strong! I have tried several products that work temporarily. I did order Rocco & Roxie however it was not able to be delivered due to damage. I went to reorder but now its doubled in price from $66 to $118 on amazon.ca! Any other suggestions would be helpful!
Shea says
Hi Barbara. Yikes, that huge price increase! Have any of the other products you used been enzymatic odor removers for concrete? And did you clean the concrete first before using them as we describe?
Barbara says
I have power washed it and used vinegar at times. I have used some other spray products but concerned for our well. Our well is no more than 10 feet away from this cement pad. I think this cement was probably poured in the 1950’s so quite old also. I just purchased Black Diamond Ur-IN Control. Another issue this time of year is snowfall and ice. Not really able to clean the cement until spring.
Shea says
Yes, you will need to wait until it warms up. With the well, you might want to check Simple Green. They make a pet odor eliminator that may be more suitable for cleaning in that area.
Shea says
Hello, so I am moving into a new house, but the people before me had lots of big dogs that they locked in some rooms. The dogs soiled the carpet and so it had to be removed. So now we are looking for flooring but the smell as not gone away. Even though we have removed the carpet and used a numerous amount of spray cleansers on it. Will any products help? Also will adding bleach to the the concrete help with the smell?
Shea says
Hi Shea – great name! We recommend cleaning the concrete and removing the odor as we describe in the article. Follow all the steps and make sure the concrete is completely dry before applying the Rocco & Roxie. Bleach will not help as it does not remove the uric acid crystals.
Kelly says
I bought a home and I’m putting new carpet in the basement for one the carpet has no padding under it and it smells like urine I know the lady we bought get the house from had dogs anyways I called and had a carpet guy come out and he suggested to seal it with kiltz. I’m definitely going to rip the carpet up before they come with new carpet and clean it the way you have stated in this article. But am I able to seal it with kiltz without a moisture test? I no nothing about any of that I just seen here in the comments you mention moisture test. The carpet guy from Home Depot said nothing about getting a moisture test just said go to the store ask for kiltz for blocking pet urine and they’ll know what to get for you.
Shea says
Hi Kelly. Kilz is not an actual coating. It’s a paint and unlike coatings, paint breathes. Unless your floor looks damp, the Kilz should work without issue.
Kelly says
So would the kiltz keep odor from coming back to the surface if the treatment didn’t end up working? He is saying no odors would would come through if we used this product.
Shea says
No, not necessarily. As we said, Kilz is a paint and it breathes. Being a basement, if the concrete absorbs enough moisture to activate the odor molecules, then enough of the odor molecules can eventually make their way through the paint and create a smell. We would recommend treating the concrete again if all the smell is not removed the first time. If you follow the instructions closely, most people have had great success.
Suzanne says
I am living in my Aunts house and I foster cats so I have quite a few. My problem is her cats went outside the pans in the family and living rooms, as well as the walls. Because it’s been there for years it has soaked into the paneling, drywall and slab underneath the carpet in the family room. How can I get the smell out? The walls are horrible, warped and peeling with crystallized urine under the shiny top layer of paneling. It smells so bad. What can I do, if anything to clean it and seal it? Of course because of the strong smell some of my cats are doing the same thing. I’m planning to put peek and stick tile in the family room but I know if I don’t get rid of the smell it’s going to her the same thing on the new floor. I hate to put in all the work and expense just to have the same end result. It’s just the slab floor now and my cats are still going on it 😩
Shea says
Hello Suzanne. You can fix the odor issues, but it will require work and some expense. No amount of cleaner or sealer will solve the issue with wood paneling and drywall. It’s going to require cutting out and replacing any drywall that is affected as well as the wood paneling. A black light will show you how high up the walls it goes. Be sure to check the bare studs with a black light as well. If the urine soaked through to the studs, we recommend painting them with Kilz first before placing new drywall and paneling back over. The concrete floor can be treated as we outline in the article.
Jade says
Is this safe for the dogs ? Like is it safe for the to still use the area after ? I wasn’t home for a while and now that I am I will Keep up with cleaning it but they have to use it bc it’s the only place she can go
Shea says
Hi Jade. Yes, the concrete will be safe for pets after the cleaning is complete.
Carlos says
I appreciate your post and need a follow up I think. I recently got some bocce balls off craigslist and found out when I got home they had a urine funk to them. I did a vinegar/baking soda soak and clean, but should I follow up with some enzyme cleaning? I believe they are a sealed concrete, if that makes sense. Any further help would be appreciated. I do not want to purchase such a large amount (gallon) if I have no use for it…
Shea says
Hello Carlos. I would let your nose be the judge. Most bocce balls have a sealed epoxy or plastic exterior, so no need to use an enzyme if the smell is gone.
Sue says
I am replacing all of the carpet in my basement due to dog urine. Fortunately the concrete floor beneath the carpet has not been affected by the urine. My dogs spend their days in the basement and will not always go on the pee pads. I was thiking of staining the concrete floor. Is there a sealant I can apply on top of the stained concrete that is safe to use in a living space and is also inpervious to dog urine?
Shea says
Hello Sue. Before you apply a coating to your basement you will need to run a proper moisture test first. Basement floors are notorious for moisture and can result in the coating peeling up. If you can apply a coating, it will need to be a coating that will stand up to the toe nails of dogs. In addition, it needs to be low in VOC’s since it’s a basement. Water-based acrylic sealers are popular for indoors, but they will not hold up to scratching from the dogs toe nails. Plus, they don’t resist urine the best. A clear epoxy coating or similar would be a better choice. Keep in mind that most coatings will require that you etch the concrete first. If you use an acid stain, then etching will not be necessary since the stain will etch the concrete. However, if you use a water-based stain, then etching will be required before staining. DuraGrade Concrete is one particular coating that does not require etching in most cases.
Sue says
Thank you for all of the information. I have one more thought. I saw your review of NEWAGE Luxury Vinyl Garage tiles and now I’m wondering if that might be an option for my basement. The reason I didn’t go with vinyl originally is that I know I will have pet urine sitting on the floor until I get home from work and can clean it. From your review it sounds like that will not be a problem with the Newage tiles. The appeal of using an interlocking tile or plank is that it seems like it would be easier to do my basement in sections instead of all at once.
Shea says
Hi Sue. The NewAge tile may not be the best idea. The reason is the joints. Though the tiles don’t let liquids seep down to the floor, urine can collect in the joints. If not cleaned well, the joints may begin to build up uric acid crystals and develop a smell which will require further cleaning.
Sue says
One more question. What about porcelain tiles? Can they stand up to dog urine? I know there is the issue of the grout. Is there a sealant that can be applied over the tiles to prevent urine build up in the grout?
Shea says
Porcelain tile is impervious, Sue. The urine will just sit there. An epoxy grout is impervious as well. It’s a bit harder to work with, but it will not absorb fluids.
wendy sue mardis says
I am a little confused by the recommended cleaning process. Do you mean to clean the concrete first with the TSP and as a second step use the Rocco and Roxie product; or did you mean to use the applications of the TSP, and if the smell still exists, then use the Rocco and Roxy second? thanks for clarifying. Also, does TSP lose its strength after being stored for a few years?
Shea says
Hi Wendy. First clean with the TSP as instructed, let dry for a day or two and then apply the Rocco & Roxie. If you don’t apply the Rocco & Roxie to remove the uric acid crystals, then the smell may return when the concrete gets damp. TSP has a shelf life of 3 years if it is in a sealed container.
Pam Colquitt says
Hi, my poor dog had kidney disease unknown at the time. He has urinated many times nr back door. We have discarded laminate flooring and tried enzymatic cleaner over two weeks (on sealed concrete floor). It seemed to go, but no its back. My little dog hasnt been with us now for several months
Shea says
Hi Pam. Did you first clean the concrete with TSP as described in the article? It’s an important step before using an enzymatic odor remover.
Jared says
Hi we have a small enclosed area out back with a drain that our dog uses since it has a drain. We have tried the enzyme cleaners that attach to a hose but it doesn’t seem to work. If we use the tsp is that ok with the drain to the city sewer system? Also if we did want to seal it after cleaning do we need to grind/etch? It is more like sidewalk concrete than a smooth finish so it is rough already. If we can’t use tsp is there something else you recommend?
Shea says
Hi Jared. Typically, if TSP is sold in your state, then there are no regulations about it running down into the city sewer. If you are unsure, check your local regulations. The steps that we outline in conjunction with using Rocco & Roxie work very well. If the odor is gone and you just want just want to seal the concrete to prevent further penetration of urine, then you can use an acrylic coating for outside. If the odor is still there after all the treatments, then you will need to use a resinous polyurethane or polyurea coating approved for outdoor use. Unlike acrylics, these type of coatings don’t breathe and will not allow the odor molecules to pass through the coating like acrylics do. These type of coatings require etching the concrete at a minimum even if the finish is rougher. However, DuraGrade Concrete coating by Rust Bullet will not require that. You can read about it here. Keep in mind that any type of coating is going to make the surface slippery when wet. We would recommend using an anti-slip additive if you apply a coating.