PET INSPECTIONS

PET URINE INSPECTION

Why check for pet urine?

The two main reasons to check for pet contamination are pet urine can cause serious damage to property. Depending on severity, which may not be obvious to a homeowner or buyer, property damage from pet urine can range from several hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars. Also pet urine and its dry residue can affect the air quality and health of those living in a home. If you are thinking about buying a home that has had or has pets, you will know if the home is contaminated, how bad the problem is and an idea of what the cost to have it rectified.

Won't the smell just go away?

No. It has to do with the nature of pet urine. Even if it doesn't smell "that bad" when purchasing a home, the smell can return again and again. The reason is that when you smell pet urine, you typically do not smell the urine itself, but rather the gasses being created from the bacteria that are feeding on the urine. Once dry, these bacteria can lay dormant with little odor until moisture or humidity conditions are again just right. This could occur from increased humidity or from residual moisture after carpet cleaning. When the bacteria are reactivated, the smell cannot only return but it can sometimes become very intense, even intolerable. Additionally, just because a seller does not have pets in a home at the time of sale, this does not mean that there may not be a urine problem discovered later.

How are inspections performed?

We start the inspection with the help of a high intensity, long wave, ultraviolet inspection light on suspected wall and flooring areas that are accessible during the inspection. Pet urine will fluoresce a dull yellow. In carpet we then use a moisture meter to detect residual moisture trapped in urine salts of stains, gives a true idea of the size and severity of the deposit. All areas of discovered urine concerns will be noted in the inspection report. Supporting pitchers will be attached to your repot as well. The repot will also give an idea to the cost for any repairs needed to remove the problem.

Who needs urine inspection?

Pet Owners

Despite the fact that most pet owners would never believe that "their" pet would urinate indoors, it happens everyday. Many people who live in a home with pets can no longer smell the odors being created indoors. They get accustomed to the smells and therefore think they are of no concern. If you have pets, whether or not you are buying or selling a home, a urine inspection can still be a valuable eye opener.

Home Buyers

If the home you are considering purchasing has had pets inside, especially if you can smell even mild pet odors, you should consider having a urine inspection performed. Urine inspections can reveal areas that will need strategic cleaning, encapsulation, carpet replacement and even structural repairs. When odors are present, it is wise to have the house professionally analyzed to help determine the locations and severity of the problem. Some homes have had damages costing as much as $25,000.00 when the urine has saturated into wallboard and framing materials, behind baseboards, through hardwood flooring, in carpet and padding, into sub-flooring, inside of air ducts, and into concrete walls and floors.

Home Sellers

You only get one chance to make a first impression with a potential buyer. Because of the high incidences of asthma, allergies and other indoor air related health problems, many buyers will not even consider a home that has pet odors inside. Attempting to mask urine odors with sprays or plug-in devices may open you up to liability for damages even after you've sold your home. The courts are sympathetic to consumers and recognize that covering up pet urine problems is no different than covering up any other type of defect. Eliminating urine odors and/or damage can also help a home sell faster. With so many homes for sale, this can certainly be an advantage. Houses that do not sell fast can cost you money month after month and typically need to have the price reduced.

Landlords

If you are purchasing or already own income property, a pet urine inspection could prove to be very valuable to you, especially in disputes with tenants. If desired, technically written reports containing photographs can provide the documentation you may need to legally retain security deposits and/or win damages.

Pets are very capable of damaging your carpets. If they have an accident in the house, or are not very well trained, they can cause irreversible damage, if it’s not caught and taken care of immediately. Long term weakness and discoloring are among the serious dangers, but the odor is the most readily apparent.

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