TOP 3 CAUSES OF PET DAMAGE

1. Pet Urine
2. Nails and Teeth
3. Oil on Paws and Coat

All pet traffic causes extra wear on flooring products. Long nails often wear floors even faster and create fine scratches which attract dirt and dull the surface. Animals can also get nails caught in carpeting and create runs or pulls. Keep pets nails trimmed and paws and coat well groomed to minimize damage. Oil on an animals coat and paws can stain flooring and attract dirt from other sources. Pet urine causes staining and odor and can break down the chemical bonds holding flooring together. Often the pet will mark a particular spot and continually return to it, damaging the flooring beyond repair. Removing the scent of the first accident
will often help discourage this.

Damage caused by pets is distinctive and will void the homeowner’s warranty.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is very resistant to pet damage and sealed tile is stain resistant, scratch resistant, and easy to clean. Grout is typically left unsealed in new homes, pet owners should have grout professionally sealed to prevent staining. When accidents
occur, clean with a manufacturer’s solution or hydrogen peroxide diluted with water.

Note: Vinegar is not suggested for use on tile. Never use an abrasive cleaning powder or an abrasive liquid cleaning product on a tile surface.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is pet resistant; the biggest danger is from unkept nails. Nails can cause tears and gouges in the floor covering as well as daily traffic damage. Dogs with red coats can also create dark stains due to the color of the oil in thier paws.

Use manufacturers cleaners or a solution of 1 cup of white vinegar to 1 cup of water to clean a pet accident and neutralize odors.

Hardwood

All hardwood is vulnerable to staining and scratches from pets. If you have a pet, pre-finished hardwood floors are a better choice than site-finished because they have a harder finish which allows them to resist scratches to some degree. Pets of any size can scratch the finish on hardwood as well as cause traffic and staining damage.

Do not place pet bowls on hardwood floors as water should not contact this type of flooring and even food bowls can trap moisture underneath them.

Rugs and mats with rubber backing can adhere to the hardwood underneath.

If a pet urinates on a hardwood floor, the boards will turn black. Urine can easily be detected by its distinct smell and by using a black light. There is no way to repair the damaged wood. The affected boards must be removed and new ones installed to return the floor to its original state.

Clean only as directed by the manufacturer.

Carpet

Carpet is the most common floor covering and arguably the most vulnerable to pet damage.

Danger to carpet includes:
Teeth and claws on loops, seams, tufts, or corners of carpet
Matted carpet due to increased traffic and oil from fur
Stains and odor from oil, vomit, or urine
Fur, pests, and dirt in fibers

Pet urine is a particular problem because it never dries. Instead it turns into a greasy substance that cannot be cleaned and that breaks down the backing of the carpet. Consider a low pile, tightly woven carpet with stain protection and a water resistant pad.

When accidents occur: immediatly blot stain with a dry, clean, white towel. Apply 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water with a clean towel. Blot. Apply 1/4 tsp liquid detergent to 32 oz of water with a towel. Blot with a dry, clean, white towel until area is dry. Professional cleaning also helps keep pet dirt and odor to a minimum.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is a great alternative to hardwood or vinyl for larger pets. Laminate has a harder finish than pre-finished and site-finished hardwood floors, it can withstand heavier pets, and it is not as sensitive to water stains.

In case of “accidents” on laminate flooring, blot the area with a clean towel. When the area is dry, use a solution of 1 cup vinegar to 1 gallon of water or a manufacturer’s formula (do not use products containing wax on laminate). Mop the area and let it dry.