Brick pavers or retaining walls are common features of landscape design. They may make a yard look neat, but dog owners often find that bricks can easily become smelly and unpleasant if their pets use them as a toilet. Because bricks are porous and urine soaks into them, cleaning and getting the odor out present two different problems.
In this article, we’ll talk about some methods you can use to get the dog pee smell out of brick. We’ll also discuss how to keep your bricks urine-free in the first place, whether the culprit is a stray dog or your own pampered pet.
Preparation
Removing the dog pee smell from brick requires both physically cleaning the area and neutralizing the odor itself. For both these steps to be most effective, you’ll need to make sure any dirt, leaves, mulch, or other debris is completely removed before starting. If you haven’t already, move patio furniture out of the way and make sure your pets are safely confined away from your work area. As you identify the urine spots, mark them with chalk or paint.
Once the bricks are cleared off and you know what areas to concentrate on, it’s time to collect your supplies. You’ll need:
- Scrub brush
- Hose
- Spray bottle or hose sprayer attachment
- Trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaning product OR vinegar and water solution
- Commercial enzyme cleaner
- Protective equipment (if using TSP)
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The 3 Steps to Remove Dog Pee Smell from Brick
1. Wash the Bricks Thoroughly
Step one in the clean and deodorize process is to wash the bricks. You have a couple of options for cleaners here.
Vinegar and Water
If you prefer using natural cleaning products, mix up a solution of 1 part vinegar to 1 part water. Spray the bricks and allow the mixture to completely soak in. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes and then rinse with water.
Vinegar is safe to use around kids and pets and better for the environment than many chemical cleaners. For really powerful urine stains and odors, you may need to repeat the cleaning process. Your bricks will also smell like vinegar for a few days, though the odor will eventually go away.
Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
Another option is to scrub the bricks with TSP, a powerful cleaning agent. Mix the cleaner using ½ cup TSP in 1 gallon of hot water. Make sure to wear recommended protective gear such as goggles and gloves because this cleaner is strong!
Pour the TSP over the bricks and scrub thoroughly. Keep the bricks wet for at least 10 minutes to allow the solution to completely soak through and then rinse.
Because TSP is so strong, it could damage plants and grass or harm pets that contact it, so use this product with caution. However, it does an excellent job of cleaning the bacteria and stains left behind by urine.
2. Use an Odor-Killing Product
Just cleaning the bricks isn’t usually enough to get the dog pee smell out. You also need to apply something thats strong enough to breaks down the urine compounds, like an enzyme cleaner, causing the smell in the first place. Again, you have a couple of different options here.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Another less expensive option uses baking soda and vinegar to remove the dog pee smell. For this method, you’ll start by sprinkling a layer of baking soda over the area you’re trying to deodorize. Allow the baking soda to sit for at least an hour.
After an hour, spray vinegar directly onto the baking soda. The two will react together and begin bubbling. After the bubbling ceases, rinse the bricks with water.
3. Repeat These Steps as Needed
If the urine smell has been present in the bricks for a long time, you may need to repeat the cleaning and odor neutralizing process more than once. Or, if you find that the natural products aren’t working, you may have to switch to TSP or commercial enzyme cleaner.
Patience and elbow grease might be needed, but getting the dog pee smell out of bricks is possible. Now let’s talk about how to keep dogs from using your bricks as a bathroom.
Keeping Dog Pee Off Your Bricks in the Future
If It’s Your Dog
If it’s your dog peeing on your bricks, the first question is, why is it happening?
Some owners find that their dogs urinate on brick patios when the weather is unpleasant, and they want to minimize their time outdoors. In this case, you may have to don some outerwear, grab an umbrella, and accompany your dog outside to make sure they make it past the brick to the grass.
If your dog is reluctant to walk far enough to reach the grass consistently, consider making an appointment with your veterinarian, especially if you are noticing other signs of pain. Your dog could be peeing on the brick patio because it hurts too much to get any further.
Sometimes, your dog might need some training and guidance about where you want them to urinate.
Conjure up your house training knowledge by leash-walking your dog to the area you want to serve as their toilet. When your dog poops or pees in the right spot, praise and reward them. Repeat the process until your dog consistently uses the correct—not brick—area. If you are looking for additional training tips, your vet can help.
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If It’s Not Your Dog
If your bricks are under assault from the pee of stray or unfamiliar dogs, your job becomes more difficult.
One solution is to fence off your yard or the bricks themselves. Installing fencing can get expensive, and not everyone has this option.
You could try humane methods to scare off stray animals peeing on your bricks. Motion-activated lights or sprinklers are one possible option. Commercial pet deterrent scents or products are also available.
Conclusion
Enjoying your outdoor space can be difficult if you’re constantly overwhelmed by the smell of dog pee. While all pet owners understand we must make some sacrifices to co-exist with our animals, that does not mean there are not solutions to help. Luckily, when it comes to removing dog pee smells from bricks, those solutions are simple and generally effective.
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Featured Image Credit: rigsbyphoto, Shutterstock
Preparation
