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Urine Makes Textile ToiletThis report was done for a landlord and explains how to identify and treat urine problems.THE CARPETMANUFACTURER: Not Available NUMBER on BACKING: Not Applicable FIBER/ ID METHOD: Nylon-Chemical FIBER HUE: Off White CONSTRUCTION: Tufted Cut Pile YARN STYLE: Saxony Plush SQUARE YARDAGE: 260 BACK SYSTEM: Conventional Tufted PRIMARY BACKING: Polypropylene SECONDARY BACKING: Polypropylene THE INSTALLATION DEALER: Not Available INSTALLER: Same As Dealer LOCATION TYPE: Commercial TYPE OF BUSINESS: Rent House METHOD: Stretch-In CUSHION: 9/16 Inch Rebond SUBFLOOR: See Report AREA INSTALLED: Three Levels, Including Living-Room, Den, Dining-Room, Stairs, Hallways, & 3 Bedrooms USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: Not Reported NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES See Report TEMPERATURE: 74.2°F - 23.4° C RH 67% VACUUM/FREQUENCY: See Report ENTRY-MATS? See Report SOIL: Heavily Soiled HEATING TYPE: Central Force Air Gas COOLING TYPE: Central - Electric CLEANING: See Report REASON FOR COMMISSION To determine the extent of damages from animals. THE REPORT Site Conditions and Geographical Information The carpet was installed in the claimant’s free standing four story house, located in a residential neighborhood in the hills above Sunset Boulevard. The house was vacant at the time of the inspection. BACKGROUND INFORMATION MADE TO THE INSPECTOR Construction on the house where the carpet was installed was finished three and a half years ago and the owner and commissioner of this report rented the property out to a tenant. Reportedly the contract between these two parties allowed no dogs, however during the last four or five months of the renter’s custody of the house, he had Saint Bernard and Golden Retriever puppies that lived inside the house. Upon moving out, significant damage had taken place that included urine in the carpet, gnawing on the kitchen cabinets, and the aftermath of a fire that took place in the kitchen. Reportedly the tenant has offered to have the carpet cleaned with on going applications of deodorant to counteract odors. DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR The first level was the garage that had no carpet, thus no inspection was made in this level. A urine odor was noticed upon entering the house on the second level. Most noticeable observations were as follows: SECOND LEVEL - DEN (BEDROOM/OFFICE) · In the corner of the room to the left of the door where one would enter, a large yellow stain was noted. This spot had a urine odor. The carpet was pulled back and yellow stains were found on the backside of the carpet as well. · A six foot long, three or four inch wide dark line ran diagonally from a sliding glass-door. This line had a dark hue on its far end and had a white tacky or crusty white texture on its head. Reportedly this spot was made by tape to cover computer wires. · Close to this was a dark globular shape stain measuring 16 inches in diameter. This spot had a dark hue and had no odor. · A large orange rectangular stain was noted laying adjacent to the closet and bathroom doors. Reportedly a filing cabinet had been set where this stain was located. · It was noted that there were yellow stains that were lighter than the surrounding carpet. Testing took place in this areas. (See testing section for ammoniated salts) THIRD LEVEL · A large concentration of spots was noted on a corner of the room adjacent to the sliding-glass door. Some of these spots had yellow hues while others were lighter than the surrounding carpet and most had a urine odor. The carpet and cushion were pulled back and black mildew spots were noted on the backside of the carpet, as well as other spots on the cushion and the plywood under the cushion. The tackless strip was blackened from mildew and was rotten in certain areas. · In the dining-room, numerous globular shape spots with dark hues were noted. None of these spots had a urine smell. FOURTH LEVEL · Approximately twenty globular- shaped spots measuring from coin size to approximately one foot were noted running from the stair landing to a sliding glass door in the first bedroom. These spots were generally lighter than the surrounding carpet, and had a urine odor. · Numerous other spots were noted in the second bedroom, but were fewer in number. · Five large stains were noted in the master-bedroom. Most of these stains had a strong perfume smell. KITCHEN - (THIRD LEVEL) · The kitchen was not carpeted, most of the edges of the cabinets and doors were heavily damaged from what looked like gnawing. Also, the cabinet above the stove was charred. There was a light dark residue on the painted walls in the walls in the kitchen. ON-LOCATION FIELD TESTING An ultra-violet light was used to draw a reflection from substances with optical brightening agents. Yellow reflection will come from most urine stains; a blue or lavender reflection comes from detergents. The result of this test revealed that there were lavender and yellow spots in the corners of the second level room, one yellow spot on the third and the fourth level. Numerous moisture tests were performed using a Delmhorst Moisture Sensor. This test would indicate the presence of moisture locked-up in salt compounds from urine and detergents. The results of these tests showed moderate to high moisture on all yellow spots throughout the installation and moisture in the dark spots. An ammonium salts test was performed using a test kit from E. M Science. Ammonium salts are a by product of urine deposits. Three tests were performed starting with the yellow spots in the far corner of the second level room. The results of this test revealed that there were strong amount of ammonium salts in the affected areas. THE ISSUE OF THIS REPORT The issue of this report is: what kinds of repairs are necessary to fix the problems associated the carpet? GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE The Standard for Carpet Cleaning S001-1997 is the standard for cleaning and is published by the INSTITUTE OF INSPECTIONS, CLEANING and RESTORATION CERTIFICATION is recognized by nearly all carpet mills and carpet cleaning associations. INDUSTRY STANDARDS & DEFINITIONS According to the S001 - 1997 on page 4 it says this concerning cleaning frequency: Consumers must not wait until carpet looks soiled before cleaning. Experts agree that clean carpet contributes not only to the overall aesthetics of a structure, but it plays a significant role in the healthful state of the overall environment in which people work, live and spend the majority of their time. Concerning the Principles Of Pre-Cleaning Inspection and the Initial Survey With The Customer, the S001 - 1997 says this on page 15: F. PRE-CLEANING/POST-CLEANING INSPECTION CHECK LIST FOR PROFESSIONAL CLEANERS 2. Initial Survey With The Customer -Customers must designate areas they wish to have cleaned and specify problems of particular concern. Even if enumerated over the phone, it's usually necessary, when practical, to have specific areas Identified by the property owner in order to save confusion. During this initial survey, technicians should observe: the condition of entry and traffic lanes, the presence of spots and stains, possible installation problems that could affect cleaning (e.g., loose carpet along walls or at seams), and possible animal urine contamination. THE INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS Animal urine contamination detracts from a healthful state of the overall environment conditions. Although remedies for urine elimination exist for carpet, cushion and subfloor, much of the application would be on going. During that interim time of elimination, occupants of this dwelling could be exposing themselves to effects of living on a textile toilet. Therefore the considerations to replace as much as possible would be essential to assure suitable environmental conditions for human heath and they would be more cost efficient in some areas. CARPET -- Spots that are lighter than the surrounding unaffected area are the result of color loss. Spots that are darker than the surrounding unaffected areas are the result of something added. Thus all of the spots which were lighter than the surrounding carpet will not be removed by cleaning. Repairs could theoretically be made by re-dyeing the carpet, but based upon the number and size of the stains, the cost would be prohibitive and the results less than desirable. Therefore replacement would be a more suitable solution for heath and cost reasons. CUSHION -- Carpet cushion is seldom saved in situations involving water damage. Also, the warranties on many carpets do not allow the use of the old cushion. Based upon the stains found in the cushion this too should be replaced. TACKLESS STRIP -- Where the tackless strip was rotten, such as on the third level as noted in the photographs, there is no repair. Since additional urine damage was noted next to the wall in two spots on the second level and other spots on the fourth, it too could add to undesirable odors and an unhealthful state of the overall environmental conditions. Finally the distance from the wall to the tackless strip is determined in part by the thickness of the carpet. Therefore, for reasons of health and appearance of a new carpet, the tackless strip should be replaced throughout the installation. SUBFLOOR -- Urine deposits on the plywood were evident by the dark stains that laid directly under the stains on the cushion, that were also directly under the stains on the carpet. Corrective measures could be done by deodorizing and sealing the wood, but few experts would can be absolutely certain that this remedy will work under all conditions such as hot and humid days. Furthermore, the number of boards affected may be only half dozen. Therefore, for reasons of health, the affected plywood should be replaced. KITCHEN -- The dark film on the painted walls was likely the residue of smoke created in the fire that charred the cabinet. Professional remedies for eliminating smoke damage include 1. wiping the painted wall using chemical sponges 2. sealing and repainting the wall 3. Ozoning the structure for odors. 4. Replacing the charred wood on doors · The gnawing on the wooden doors and edges of counters appeared deep and the photographs should be self evident that replacement is necessary. CONCLUSION All carpet, cushion and tackless strips should be replaced based upon evidence of urine contamination found at the time of the inspection. Plywood sub-floor should be replaced where needed. |