Changes

'''Wooden floors''':<br>

'''Wooden floors''':<br>

Any joints and junctions between flooring and skirting boards or fitted furniture (kitchen units) should be sealed with a silicone or an appropriate waterproof sealant to prevent urine from getting into cracks. The same applies to joints between panels of laminated flooring (urine ingress will cause panels to expand and pop up). Wooden floors should be pained with two or more coats of a heavy varnish or damp-sealant paint. If possible, the painted or varnished area should be extended to over-paint the sealant and thus create a complete barrier.

To prevent urine the ingress of urine, any gaps, joints and junctions between flooring, skirting boards and fitted furniture (such as kitchen or bedroom units) should be sealed with a suitable waterproof sealant (e.g. silicone sealant). The same applies to joints between panels of laminated flooring (urine ingress will cause panels to expand and pop up). Wooden and laminated floors should be painted with several coats of varnish or damp-sealant paint. If possible, the painted or varnished area should be extended to over-paint the sealant and thus create a complete barrier.

'''Concrete floors''':<br>

'''Concrete floors''':<br>

Concrete floor shoud be cleaned and allowed to dry. Any cracks should be sealed as for wooden floors above. Several coats of waterproofing paint should then be applied.

Concrete floor shoud be cleaned and allowed to dry. Any cracks should be sealed and several coats of waterproofing paint should then be applied.

'''Vinyl floors''':<br>

'''Vinyl floors''':<br>

'''Carpets''':<br>

'''Carpets''':<br>

Before fitting new carpet, the flooring underneath should be cleaned and sealed as above. Applying a layer of heavy plastic sheeting beneath the carpet or underlay to prevent urine from seeping into the floor may be beneficial. Existing carpets can be protected by covering them with heavy plastic sheeting and then cleaning the carpet underneath at least 2-3 times weekly until no further urine odour persists.

In areas that have been repeatedly soiled with urine, the flooring under a carpet can become heavily contaminated. Installing a replacement carpet will not prevent odours from old urine contamination from coming through. Before fitting new carpet, the flooring underneath should be cleaned and sealed. Applying a layer of heavy polythene sheeting underneath the carpet or underlay can help to prevent urine from future deposits from seeping into the floor. This facilitates cleaning and also prevents urine odours returning from old urine deposits.

'''Wooden furniture''':<br>

'''Wooden furniture''':<br>