Dog urine can cause a lot of issues with laminate flooring, but what is the best way to protect it?
The best way to protect laminate flooring from dog urine is to use dog nappies or dog pads to soak up the urine and prevent it from making contact with the floor below.
Let’s find out why exactly dog urine can cause issues for laminate flooring and what other methods there are to keep your floor safe and sound, even if some urine does end up on the floor.
How Does Dog Urine Damage Laminate Floors?
Dog urine is not an issue if it only lays on the surface of laminate flooring, but if there are any gaps or cracks due to poor installation then this can be a huge problem.
This is because the urine will find its way beneath the laminate panels where it is almost impossible to remove without lifting the floor. Once underneath the panels urine will cause many issues, such as odor problems and causing the panels themselves to swell and change shape which can lead to buckling and bending.
Odor Problems
One of the most common issues with urine is odor control.
Everyone knows the smell of dog urine and it is not a pleasant one. Combine this with urine that is allowed to sit in a damp and moist environment underneath laminate flooring and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
To properly clean laminate you’ll want to use an enzymatic cleaner to remove not only the smell of urine but also the bacteria as well. You can also try using bleach, but this reacts to form chlorine gas so we only recommend this in wide-open rooms and in very, very small amounts.
Buckling and Bending
The underside of laminate flooring does not have a waterproof coating or adhesive to prevent the laminate panels from absorbing urine as the surface does.
Once underneath the laminate, the panels will begin the soak up the urine which can distort the shape easily. This will cause issues such as buckling and bending and will require the panels to be completely removed and repaired.
Typically, laminate floors cannot be repaired easily without replacement laminate being needed once buckling has taken place.
Best Ways To Protect Laminate Flooring From Dog urine
Now that we know how dog urine can be problematic for laminate flooring, let’s take a look at the best ways to protect against dog urine so none of the previously mentioned issues arises.
Dog Nappies and Dog Pads
Dogs can become incontinent in old age which can make it very difficult to know when they are going to need to pee.
You can always put them outside more frequently, but it is inevitable that some urine will end up on your floor no matter how hard you try; that’s just the way it is with older dogs. Dog nappies and pads offer a great solution to this problem, though.
Dog nappies are great because they ensure that the urine will not make contact with the ground, while dog pads can be placed on areas where your dog likes to rest to provide some protection. Good places include underneath baskets or at the foot of sofas.
When it comes to nappies as well keep in mind that you might have to try out different brands and sizes to find a pair that is comfortable for your dog.
Training Your Dog
On the other end of the spectrum, young dogs and puppies can be prone to urinate inside if they haven’t learned to do their business outside just yet.
A good tactic to train puppies to urinate inside involves putting them outside whenever they begin to urinate, and then praising them for doing so. This is of course basic dog training 101, and there are probably hundreds of other ways to achieve the same goal, but you get the idea…
Stop It Before It Happens
Although difficult to do all the time, it is usually telegraphed when your dog is going to pee and you should be able to place them outside before they actually start.
This isn’t the most secure way of getting the job done, but if you treat this as a family effort you can prevent it from happening a lot of the time.
How To Remove Dog Urine From Laminate Flooring
So, what can you do if the urine has already made its way to your floor? We’ve got you covered with 3 easy steps to clean it up as easily as possible.
1. Blotting
Paper towels make great blotting tools. When the urine is pooled on the floor, place a handful of paper towels over the fluid to absorb as much as possible.
Take care removing the towels by wearing gloves and dispose of them correctly, ideally not down a toilet unless they are suitable for it.
2. Clean with an Enzymatic Cleaner
Once most of the urine has been removed you’ll need to use an enzymatic cleaner to properly get rid of any bacteria within the urine.
Make up the solution according to the instructions and use a mop to get rid of the rest of the urine.
3. Use a Vinegar Solution to Remove Odor
Once you’ve cleaned thoroughly then it’s time to use a solution of equal parts vinegar and water to remove any remaining odor. This can be applied using a mop or even a dishcloth, depending on what you have around the house.
What Other Types Of Flooring Does Dog Urine Damage?
Dog urine damages a lot of other types of floor. Firstly, any hardwood floor that is not correctly sealed can be damaged by dog urine in a very similar way to laminate.
Other floorings, such as carpets, are even more susceptible to urine as they regularly absorb the urine and do not have any protective layer to keep it out. This is why we recommend hardwood or laminate flooring for dog owners.
Tile flooring can work well for dog urine as well, assuming that it has been installed correctly, but it isn’t very well suited for scratches which is another issue on its own.
All in all, laminate flooring is actually one of the best types of flooring to protect against dog urine!
Is There A Type Of Flooring That Is Dog Proof?
There are some types of flooring that have been specially designed to be dog-proof.
These work by having extra protective layers on the outer surface that are waterproof and scratchproof – an example of this would be this flooring by floorsforpaws. You can also make hardwood floors more resistant by adding protective layers in the form of lacquers or sprays.
Final Thoughts
Thanks for taking the time to read this article.
We hope you’ve got a better idea at some techniques to protect your laminate floor from dog urine. Don’t forget that laminate is actually one of the better types of flooring to work against urine, so it’s not all bad news!