Whether you have a new kitten or have had an aging dog for years, accidents can happen at any stage of life. Most pet owners are familiar with the process of cleaning their pet’s urine from the floor or carpeting. But did you know that incomplete and improper cleanup can lead to mold growth?
Pet urine, especially on porous surfaces like carpeting, can cause mold growth by introducing excess moisture that soaks into the fibers, padding, and subfloor. Improper or incomplete cleanup, including DIY blotting, often fails to remove all the moisture and uric acid crystals, creating an ideal environment for mold spores and generating strong odors from ammonia. Professional services, like Flood Response’s expert technicians, are recommended for thorough cleaning and, if necessary, mold remediation.
How Pet Urine Can Lead to Mold
Pet urine is relatively easy to clean up on waterproof tile, stone, or vinyl flooring. Carpeting is another story.
Imagine a water damaged carpet that has not been addressed all day. The water likely has penetrated through the surface of the carpeting and into the fibers, padding, and beyond. The same goes for pet urine; once it has seeped through the carpet, it becomes more difficult to completely clean and dry up. This creates an environment of excess moisture where mold spores can land and fully develop.
While mold outbreaks in homes are not common, they can be extremely dangerous and require thorough remediation. Its presence can aggravate health issues, including congestion, coughing, asthma, and respiratory conditions.
Along with mold, unaddressed pet urine can cause additional hazards. Urine especially sticks to carpet fibers due to the release of uric acid crystals, which can be difficult to clean and contribute to the strong, unpleasant odor. It also produces ammonia, another irritant with health risks, especially for people who have respiratory illnesses.
How to Treat Pet Urine in Carpeting
Surface treatments of pet urine in carpeting are not enough. A common DIY method is to blot the affected carpet with water so as to soak it up and out of the fibers. This is often ineffective and can actually worsen the moisture problem, increasing the risk of mold. The same goes for other DIY techniques—such as covering the urine with room fresheners and odor-eliminating sprays—aimed at addressing surface-level damage and odor problems.
Restoration companies like Flood Response will take a multi-stage approach to not only cleaning your carpets of pet urine but also checking for mold and other dangers beneath the floor surface.
If a full carpet cleaning is needed, professional cleaners will apply a pre-spray treatment to lift particles, then use hot water extraction to loosen and remove the urine, as well as dirt and debris, from deep within carpet fibers.
If mold is suspected, restoration specialists will use professional-grade tools to check beneath the carpet surface. If mold is confirmed, the team will deliver a full mold remediation treatment. Securing the area, eliminating moisture, and cleaning the air of mold spores are all key steps aimed at removing mold for good. The specialists may determine that removing and replacing the carpet is the best option to ensure mold removal.
Choose Flood Response for Carpet Mold Removal
While you may want to tackle pet urine on the carpet yourself, calling your local restoration team can actually save your carpeting in the long run. Professional carpet cleaners and mold remediation specialists have the expertise needed to effectively address your unique situation and check for issues beneath the carpet’s surface.
At Flood Response, our IICRC-trained and certified technicians and experienced licensed general contractors will arrive quickly to begin inspecting your carpeting to determine the best course of action. For over 20 years, we’ve helped families and business owners in Southern California take the right steps to restore their properties—whether they’re dealing with basement flooding, fire damage, or a pet who’s had an accident. No matter the job, our mission is to provide unmatched service and make the process as stress-free as possible.
For 24/7, full-service disaster recovery in Southern California, contact Flood Response today!
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