Why flooring often has to go
Floors take the brunt of most biohazard events. Blood, decomposition fluids, urine, vomit and sewage soak quickly into carpet and pad, run through seams in vinyl, laminate and hardwood, and reach the subfloor below. Surface cleaning can make carpet look clean while the pad and subfloor beneath remain contaminated and keep producing odor.
When removal is usually needed
- Carpet and pad saturated with bodily fluids, sewage (Category 3 water) or heavy urine
- Laminate and engineered flooring where fluids have reached the core or underlayment
- Vinyl and sheet flooring where fluids have run under seams
- Hardwood with fluids in seams and boards, depending on extent and whether refinishing can address it
- Tile usually stays but may need grout cleaning or replacement, and subfloor checks where cracks exist
How the work is done
- Map contamination beyond visible stains using inspection, UV light for urine, and moisture meters.
- Cut and remove affected flooring, with a margin around contamination, and bag it for disposal.
- Inspect the subfloor and tack strip, removing contaminated tack strip and damaged subfloor sections.
- Clean and disinfect the subfloor and adjacent surfaces.
- Seal cleaned subfloor where odor or staining remains, so new flooring isn't affected.
- Document areas and measurements for insurance and replacement.
Asbestos in older flooring
Some older vinyl tiles, sheet flooring and mastic contain asbestos. If flooring could contain it, testing comes before removal, and abatement is done by licensed contractors.
Common questions
Can you just clean the carpet?
If fluids reached the pad and subfloor, cleaning the carpet won't remove the contamination or odor. We'll tell you honestly when cleaning is enough.
Do you install new flooring?
No. We prepare the subfloor so your flooring installer can work on a clean surface.
How much flooring will be removed?
Only what's contaminated, plus a margin. We'll show you before cutting.