If you own your own rental property or rent a person else property, then you may be familiar with the term “urine mapping”. It is quite general practice for landlords to use a UV light to go around the premises and make note of areas on the carpet that have cat, dog, or other pets pee stains on them.
The spots that are traced make up the urine map. The map is used for when tenants move in and out, to view if there were any extra stains added during the time of their stay. This could possibly mean that “no pet permitted” rules were broken, and compensation will be required for extra cleaning.
How does the UV light actually works?
UV light operates by highlighting fluorescing elements, such as phosphorous atoms, when naked to short wavelength UV ultraviolet light. Notably, bodily fluids like pet urine show fluorescence under UV light illumination, rendering them unmistakably visible.
Can a UV light detect dog urine properly?
The capability of UV light to detect pet urine is a topic of important interest for pet owners who struggle with the bad stains and odors that can result from their pet accidents. The little answer to the question of whether a UV light can detect dog or cat urine in the carpet is indeed yes, it can. Anyway, the detection process is not without its complexities.
First, it is very important to understand how UV light works in detecting pet urine. UV light, mainly ultraviolet light, emits wavelength that cause certain substances to glow or fluorescence. This phenomenon is mainly helpful in detecting biological stains, such as urine, as they have proteins and phosphorous react to the UV light. When a UV light is shone on a suspect urine stain, these protein molecules and phosphorus absorb the UV power and emit a glowing effect, making the stain visible.
Anyway, it is important to note that pet urine is a not only substance that glows under UV light. Other substances, such as fluid stains and food, can also show fluorescence under UV light. This means that when using a UV light to detect pet urine, it is essential to differentiate between the different types of stains that may be present. For example, fluid and food stains tend to glow a shade of blue, white, or green, whereas urine residue generally appears as a more subdued color, often cloudy yellow, army green, or brown.
When using the UV light, hold it 1 or 2 feet above the carpet and move it slowly over the suspected area. The UV light will cause any moisture stains to glow, making them able to be seen. It is also essential to smell the identified area to verify the presence of pet urine, as the smell is uniquely bad and cannot be mistaken for anything else.
Once stain is noticed, it is important to clean it fully using a heavy-duty cleaner designed mainly for pet odor removal. This may need multiple cleanings to fully eliminate the stain and its linked odor. Finally, it is important to make sure that the area is fully free of any remaining urine crystals before permitting pet to return to the space.
The substances below can also glow under a UV light
- Glue
- Baby powder
- Petroleum jelly
- Laundry detergents
- Tonic water
Urine mapping the carpet
To successfully map out urine stains in your carpet, follow these easy steps:
Utilize a UV light
Turn of all the lights in the room and close any blinds or curtains to create a dark atmosphere. Use an Arkfeld pro UV light to scan the full carpeted area, moving it gradually about 1-2 feet above the surface. Identify any areas that show fluorescence or glow under the UV light, as these are potential urine spots.
Note non-fluorescing areas
While scanning the UV light, also make note of any areas that do not fluoresce but shows other damage signs, such as staining or discoloration. These areas may have been affected by urine, but the stains may have been cleaned or faded, making them less visible under UV light.
Inspect carpet fibers
Closely check the carpet fibers in the identified areas for any signs of damage, such as clumping, matting, or discoloration. Look for any areas where the carpet feels crunchy or stiff, as this can indicate the presence of dried urine crystals.
Use a moisture probe or meter
To determine of depth of urine penetration, use a moisture probe or meter to check the carpet backing, peddling, and subfloor in the suspected areas. Insert the probe into the carpet and note any places where the moisture reading is higher than general, as this can point out the presence of urine.
Ammonia smell
Carefully smell the suspected places to check for an ammonia-like smell, which is a telltale sign of urine. If the odor is powerful or persistent, it may point out a more recent or extreme urine incident.
Check for staining and discoloration
Visually check the carpet fibers in the indentified areas for any signs of staining or discoloration. Look for browning, yellowing, or other color changes that may be indicative of urine stains.
By following these steps and using a mixture of UV light, olfactory analysis, moisture detection, and visual check, you can successfully map out pet urine stains in your carpet. This information will help you determine the extent of the issue and guide you in picking the right cleaning and remediation techniques.
Pet urine in carpet effects
What some people don’t know is that once pet urine has dehydrated in the carpet it leaves urine salts and crystals which have uric acid, proteins, bacteria, hormones, and urochrome, when they have dried; the crystals begin to emit that foul smelling smell that every person knows all too well.
Urine salts will forever be a little bit wet because they draw moisture from the air. They can also be noticed by moisture probes for quite some time after contamination.
