Replace carpet or install waterproof vinyl plank flooring?

Question

I will be moving out of my Saddle Ridge Twinhome at the beginning of June and renting it out. My dogs have pooped and peed on the carpet, and a cat has pooped on the carpet too. I have a carpet cleaner that I use, but even after a few weeks I can still smell the dog urine on the stair landing where my dog peed the last time. I also have an area of torn carpet that was ripped and needs to be repaired as well.

I feel like replacing the hardwood in the kitchen and carpet everywhere else with strong, waterproof vinyl planking would be the best, but more expensive than replacing the carpet and leaving the hardwood in the kitchen/dining area. I won't have a lot of money after the move and don't know whether I should suck it up and install the vinyl now. Or do carpet now and replace it with vinyl down the road; or try a professional cleaner to see if the smell comes out? And just repair the torn part?

I was going to allow a pet dog in the rental, so didn't really want to replace the carpet. I'm sure any dog would probably pee where mine did even if I did get it cleaned, or maybe just start the pattern all over on their own!

Any advice or recommendations on who I could hire to do the flooring if I replace it?

Thanks.

Tina S. · Answer

Just to update. I ended up tearing out the 2 stair landings and priming and putting down vinyl planking from Home Depot. Put enzyme cleaner over dog spot upstairs. Fixed some areas of the carpet and used transition strips in some areas where the carpet was worn away like into the bathroom. It worked out pretty good. Saved some money and I will probably revisit once this tenant moves out. (She actually complemented the vinyl planking-I didn't tell her I installed it-but I am proud of myself!). Anyhow, I was actually going to have the carpet professionally cleaned but tenant moving in already. I did use my carpet cleaner for the living room, though. Thanks again!

Tina S. · Answer

Thanks for all the great advice. What about leaving carpet in the bedrooms?

Steve S. · Answer

I should note that there's differences in vinyl plank... look for a mid-commercial grade.

Paul Caputo · Answer

The only way to get that smell out is to tear out the carpet, replace the padding and apply KILZ or something similar to the subfloor. Not really an economical route considering the randomness of "pet accidents" Dogs and cats will be able to smell it even if you can't and think that's the spot to go. Some carpet is "resistant" to dog urine, but not cat urine. I'd never have carpet and pets in the same unit.

Beyond that it's highly likely that if you rent it out you'll have to replace the carpet after the first tenant moves out. I think it's better to be proactive and get rid of the problem before it gets worse.

If you put in the vinyl planks still get some KILZ and paint over any pee spots on the subfloor. That'll kill the smell and keep future animals from thinking it's the pee spot.

Also the vinyl planks are basically the toughest thing you can put on the floor so it'll handle basically anything tenants can throw at it. A lot of high traffic commercial spaces use vinyl plank, that should tell you something.

Jerry W. · Answer

@Tina S., for what it is worth I also vote for vinyl plank.  I would not tear out the hardwood floor, I would just put the planking over it.  The good planking is expensive, and while I have installed some, it has not been in long enough for me to say how long it lasts, but so far the stuff I used has worked great.

Tina S. · Answer

Thanks for the advice. Think I'll be installing vinyl planks.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

I agree. It's expensive up front but will reduce costs in the long run.

Steve S. · Answer

Just get the vinyl planks and put  your head to rest. I can't talk enough about this type of flooring it is by FAR the best type of flooring. You can have really high end looks and finishes that are mid-commercial grade durability.

You have pets... get the planks you won't have to worry about stains or wear. You're planning on turning this into a rental.. best stuff to have! Super easy to install as well! 1 day  to remove the furniture and carpet, and 1 day to install. One can easily do between 500 and 600 sq ft in one day once you get rolling.