Will a dehumidifier get rid of the basement smell?

University of Minnesota Extension says: A dehumidifier can help reduce the symptoms of humidity and odor but doesn't solve the problem. The EPA says: If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity.

Pet Urine Smell in a Basement: How to Find It and Get It Out

Q: How do I find pet urine in my basement?

The AKC says: But oftentimes, you'll be able to smell it, even if you don't see it. Humane World for Animals says: If you have a black light, use it to identify soiled areas and lightly outline the areas with chalk.

Q: Can pet urine soak into a basement carpet pad?

Humane World for Animals says: Your job will be more difficult if urine has soaked down into the padding underneath your carpet. In some cases, you may need to replace portions of carpet and padding.

Q: Why does the urine smell come back when the basement is humid?

The Carpet and Rug Institute says: A number of products are available to combat odor, but some may simply mask the odor, and, in times of high humidity, the odor may reappear.

Q: Should I seal the basement concrete floor?

The American Concrete Institute, answering a basement slab question, says: Many concrete sealers may prevent the intrusion of water but not water vapor. It adds: ACI does not have a recommendation for this application.

Q: Why does my dog keep peeing in the same spot in the basement?

The AKC's answer to Will my dog keep peeing in the same spot? is: Yes, if odor remains. Thorough cleaning is essential to remove scent markers and discourage repeat behavior.

If your basement smells like pet pee, this guide covers finding the spots, concrete, carpet and padding, walls, humidity and drying, and retraining your pet, quoting the AKC, ASPCA, Humane World for Animals, the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), the American Concrete Institute (ACI), the EPA and university sources.

Step 1: Find every spot

Start with your nose. The AKC says: "Sometimes dogs will pee in more secluded or hidden parts of the home, so it may not always be easy to locate where your dog peed if you didn't see them do it. But oftentimes, you'll be able to smell it, even if you don't see it."

Humane World for Animals says: "If you have a black light, use it to identify soiled areas and lightly outline the areas with chalk."

Sources: AKC, How to Get Rid of Dog Pee Stains and Smells; Humane World for Animals, Get urine smell and pet stains out of carpet.

Bare concrete floors

The American Concrete Institute, answering a question about a basement slab that would get pad and carpet (not about urine), says: "Concrete is porous and water vapor will eventually come through the slab." Purdue University, writing about kennel floors, says: "Even when excrement is removed daily, a porous kennel floor may become saturated with urine due to repeated use."

For scrubbing and rinsing a concrete floor, follow the steps in our guide to getting dog pee smell out of concrete.

About sealing: on the basement slab question, the ACI says: "Many concrete sealers may prevent the intrusion of water but not water vapor. Sealers that stop all water tend to fail after a period of time because the water collects at the barrier/concrete surface." It adds: "ACI does not have a recommendation for this application." No source we checked says whether sealing a basement slab locks in or blocks a urine smell.

Sources: American Concrete Institute, Vapor barriers (FAQ); Purdue University, Effects of Flooring on Animal Health and Well-Being: Implications for Kenneled Dogs (PDF).

Basement carpet and padding

Check under the carpet, too. Humane World for Animals says: "Your job will be more difficult if urine has soaked down into the padding underneath your carpet. In some cases, you may need to replace portions of carpet and padding." The AKC adds: "Urine may have soaked into padding, upholstery, or wood. Repeated treatments or professional cleaning may be necessary."

Skip the steam. The CRI says: "Don't use a steam cleaner when dealing with urine spots because the heat will set the stain and the smell. Instead, extract the spill with a wet vacuum and rinse with cool water to reduce the odor." Whatever you use, the CRI says to "pretest any cleaner on a scrap of carpet or in an out-of-the-way area of your carpet."

Humane World for Animals also warns: "Avoid cleaning chemicals such as ammonia or vinegar. Strong chemical odors may encourage your pet to reinforce the urine scent mark in that area."

More steps are in pet urine in carpet padding and, for spots that have sat for months, old, dried pet urine stains.

Sources: Humane World for Animals; AKC; CRI, Cleaning and Maintenance.

Drywall, paneling and baseboards

Humane World for Animals says: "If the wood on your furniture, walls, baseboard or floor is discolored, the varnish or paint has reacted to the acid in the urine." See our guide to cleaning dog pee off baseboards and walls for the steps.

Source: Humane World for Animals.

Why damp makes it worse

The CRI's technical bulletin on pet urine says: "A number of products are available to combat odor, but some may simply mask the odor, and, in times of high humidity, the odor may reappear." If that sounds familiar, see pet urine smell came back after cleaning.

Also check for damp. University of Minnesota Extension lists the symptoms of basement moisture problems, including "Damp, humid air." and "Odor, mold and mildew."

The EPA says: "Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc." and "If you believe that you may have a hidden mold problem, consider hiring an experienced professional."

Sources: CRI, Technical Bulletin: Pet Urine and Carpet; University of Minnesota Extension; EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home.

Drying, humidity and ventilation

After cleaning, let things dry. The EPA says: "It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth." On humidity, it says: "If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity." and "Use air conditioners and/or de-humidifiers when needed." To help prevent condensation, it says: "Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or windows, when practical. Use fans as needed."

A dehumidifier has limits. University of Minnesota Extension says: "A dehumidifier can help reduce the symptoms of humidity and odor but doesn't solve the problem." It warns: "if a dehumidifier is used in a basement with moisture problems, it may cause greater damage." And: "if condensation in the summer is the problem, do not ventilate the basement directly with warm, humid air."

Sources: EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home; University of Minnesota Extension.

Why your pet keeps going back to the same spot

The AKC's answer to "Will my dog keep peeing in the same spot?" is: "Yes, if odor remains. Thorough cleaning is essential to remove scent markers and discourage repeat behavior." Humane World for Animals says: "As long as your pet can smell their personal scent, they may continue to return to the "accident zone."" More in why dogs and cats keep peeing in the same spot.

Sources: AKC; Humane World for Animals.

Stop the basement becoming a toilet

Humane World for Animals says: "Once the area is clean, make it unattractive and/or unavailable to your pet and make the appropriate bathroom area attractive." A closed door or gate is one way to make it unavailable.

Then go back to house training basics. The ASPCA says: "Limit the dog's run of the house to the one or two rooms where you are able to see her at all times." The AKC's advice for adult dogs says: "Any time you cannot supervise your dog, he should be in a crate or pen, or in a smaller room behind a baby gate."

Humane World for Animals says: "The re-training period may take a week or more." It also says: "If your pet is having regular accidents, have them checked by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes."

For more on whole house smells, see Pet Cleanup Kit's guide to dog smell in the house.

Sources: Humane World for Animals; ASPCA, House Training Your Dog or Puppy; AKC, How to Housetrain an Adult Dog.

When it's a pro job

The AKC says: "If odors linger despite repeated cleaning, or if there are multiple or deep stains, professional cleaning may be the best option."

Source: AKC.

Accident on the carpet or couch too?

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more." It is not described for bare concrete; for that, follow the steps above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.