Need Advice About Purchasing A House That Smells of Cat Urine

[icibiu]

Originally Posted by mark-in-iowa

For any remaining odor, rent an ozone generator. That should help break down any remaining odor molecules that are hiding in corners, surfaces, and hard to reach areas that may not otherwise have been cleaned. Pets, plants, and people can't be in an area that's being actively ozone treated so plan accordingly and take the proper precautions during use.
If you manage those steps, you should end up just fine!

Good call on the ozone generator!! I forgot those things existed! I used to work in a very upscale hotel and they would always use these after any smoker used a room. There were a couple of times where there were guests who were heavy cigar (GAG) smokers stayed in a room for a couple weeks/months and I swore the smell would not get out, but after a 24hr ozone treatment it smelled totally neutral in there again. It's like magic! The hotel owned the machines though, i have no idea how much it costs to rent one.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

OK, here's a "tale" (pun semi intended). We bought a house out here in CA about ten years ago. From multiple viewings and inspections, and then, my prep work for moving in, there was no hint of any cat urine odor. Months after moving in, we found out from neighbors that the previous owners included a crazy cat lady - well not too bad, maybe 4 or 5 cats, but still - alarm bells. Probably two years after moving in we started to notice cat urine odor coming from "somewhere." I eventually, after years of trying, narrowed it down to a few walls, and, the door between the kitchen and the stairs down to the basement / garage (this is a typical SF type house with the garage under the living area). I must admit to being stumped about how the previous owners managed to cover it up and do so in a way that lasted for two years! Well in any case, here we are now, wondering how to take care of it. The urine is painted over. I'm thinking of the ozone machine method. Really don't want to have to do tear outs at this point. Anyone ever experience anything like this (e.g. delayed onset of the smell / trickery by previous owner to hide it)?