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
Seriously… other than them being ugly dogs, I would never own a standard poodle. Seriously nasty, evil creatures. I’ve never met one that was pleasant. I’ve met quite a few. Could be a reflection of the owners… they weren’t the warmest of people either. 🙂
And it’s the only type of dog that’s ever tried to bite me — bastard dog! I just wanted my boomerang back!
We have a similar issue in our single family in Flatbush. You might want to have Verrazano Flooring come out and give you an estimate. We chose not to take the stained boards out (we were running out of money) but they did restore other sections of intricate boarders and parquet that were damaged from termites.
Our damage is mostly limited to one room and they said they could fix the specific slats that were stained, but it was too expensive for us at that time.
If we were going to re-visit those sections, I’d definitely work with them again.
GL.
OP here -thanks sam – can you or others recommend someone who can do this kind of patch repair – the inlaid pattern is quite detailed which is why we would like to salvage the entire floor if possible – after removing the urine stained areas…
It is very difficult to reverse this kind of damage. The acids in the urine permantly alter the wood fibers.
You will need to take up the boards in those areas and fill-in with new boards. Then you can sand, stain and refinish the entire floor. A good flooring company can achieve very good results and a good match. I would not recommend doing any of this work yourself.
Snarkslope – Dont laugh. I know somoene who bought a beautful rambling 6-room apartment on Eastern Parkway in 2003 for about $80K in “as is” condition. Turns out the previous owner was a junkie of sorts who literally peed on the floors, for years. He had to rip out the entire floor and it was a huge headache and problem..
My friends had reasonable results by using 1 tbsp. of oxalic acid mixed with 1 cup of hot water (or equal proportions in larger quantities), applied generously and left for several hours or overnight. Soaking wood floors would normally make me cringe, but seems like damage is already done and little to lose by trying. This article recommends peroxide: http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/best-solutions-for-removing-old-pet-urine-stains-from-hardwood-floors.shtml
I can certainly vouch, courtesy of a previous occupant ;-(, for the effectiveness of undiluted bleach in changing the color of wood floor.
also having a dog is a really good deterrant against your home being broken into. i mean as long as it’s not a fooofy poodle or anything. tho poodles can be some of the nastiest dogs ever!
*r*
You should allow dogs, just mount a “Please Curb Your Dog” sign in the living room.
You assume it was the dogs…