Pee-Stained Wood Floors?
We have some beautiful original wood floors in our brownstone. However, the previous owners let their large and multiple dogs urinate constantly on them and as a result they have large black stains in multiple places. We asked a few wood “experts” and they told us we had to rip out the entire floor (which…
We have some beautiful original wood floors in our brownstone. However, the previous owners let their large and multiple dogs urinate constantly on them and as a result they have large black stains in multiple places. We asked a few wood “experts” and they told us we had to rip out the entire floor (which is our entire parlor and 2nd floors) – no way to salvage or repair b/c the wood would become paper thin. We really don’t want to rip out these beautiful original floors and are wondering if anyone has advice or recommendations for someone to help us out. Many thanks
Call Sean at Old Oak Flooring. He has done 2 apartments for me and his guys are craftsman. He re-claimed wood in one room to patch another in my house, then stained and polished – you cannot tell the difference.
Maybe he can combine the wood from both rooms to fit in one room and save you some money.
Old Oak Flooring: 646-662-5724.
I’ve had oxalic acid work. I sanded first & had to do many treatments – doing a thicker paste than recommended & covering it with plastic wrap so it would really soak in.
Had same problem – from prior pet, not me peeing on a cat like Knickerbocker – and stained the floors very dark. Hid the damage very well. Looks cool in my minimalist place, but not for everyone.
When I was still an infant in the crib (we lived in a pre-war apt bldg on the Upper West Side of Manhattan) my mom said I used to pee on the floor. The floor was carpeted.
Went I was 10 we took up the carpet with the idea to restore the original wood floors. There were dark brown/black stains where I ‘hit the spot’ (apparently I was aiming at the cat).
Despite sanding the floor down as much as possible, the stain never went away. We were left with the option of (1) living with it); (2) re-carpeting; or (3) installing a new floor. We lived with it.
Your mileage may vary.
Ewww.
In defense of the prior residents, I ripped out carpeting (and linoleum and linoleum and linoleum) in a rental once and it was pretty clear from the water stain pattern that decades of wet people had been walking from the shower to the bedroom. So it might *not* have been dogs. It could have been a plant or something.
I don’t have references but you ought to be able to find someone who can replace sections.
Be prepared to remove deep. We looked at a house where dog urine had soaked right through to the joists.
At least it doesn’t smell, apparently. Can you cover some of the stains with area rugs? Or, as someone suggests above, replace selective portions?
You can get old-growth reclaimed recycled wood (you have your choice of type) at Moon River Chattel. It’s about $11 per unit — I can’t remember if it’s foot or yard but the width varies.
I don’t have a rec for a floor person, but a friend of mine expanded his bathroom, and their contractor matched the parquet border in the adjoining bedroom so the floor looked original. They did a nice job.
I had these issues in the house I bought. The floor was coming out anyway, so no biggie. But in our case we even had to sand some of the sub-floor.
Some of my best friends are standard poodles!
You haven’t met enough of them. They can be really great, really smart, really funny dogs.