Though many people think stone floors are immune to pet odor problems, because lets face it, they are stone, that is not the truth.
Whether a man made stone like ceramic or a natural stone like marble, all stone floors can and will pick up pet odors. There is no natural stone that repels water naturally. All stone is permeable to some extent. While ceramic tile is not permeable, the grout between the tiles is.
The removal of pet odors from stone floors is actually quite easy, given the proper training and equipment.
Urine, like water, will soak into the stone or find its way through cracks to the sub floor underneath. That sub floor in most cases is concrete that is also permeable. The result is a urine odor that you cannot remove with a general cleaning using items like Pine Sol.
To remove the urine smell from a stone floor, the area needs to be flushed with a enzyme treatment. It will need the opportunity to soak into the stone and follow the cracks the same as the urine did. The damage that can be caused to these floors from excessive exposure to liquid is countered by air movers and dehumidifiers. After several days worth of treatments the odor will be eliminated.
The most important step you can take in the care of your stone floor is to have it properly sealed by a professional. Your seal acts as a moisture barrier preventing liquids from soaking in. Not only will proper sealing help prevent urine odors but will prevent other damage such as oil stains.
A simple way of checking the seal on your stone floor is to place a drop of water on it. Leave the drop for ten minutes then check it. If the water is still beading on top of the floor that area is sealed. If the water has soaked into the stone and has left a mark that needs to dry then your stone is not properly sealed.
PLEASE NOTE: If you find your stone floor is not properly sealed, DO NOT run out and buy a sealer from the store and mop it on. If you do so you will seal all dirt and stains present on the floor into it permanently. The floor should be properly cleaned before any seal is applied.
Considering the cost of the stone and the installation of it, the cost to have a professional clean and seal it is a small amount to pay to protect your investment.
Article by Guest Blogger Brian L. Vaubel
Brian has 20+ years experience in tile, carpet and furniture care. He founded Eco-Clean in California. He works with environmentally friendly products, consults on Indoor Air Quality issues, and specializes in maintaining homes for those who are chemically sensitive.
