Mental Health Affects: Hoarding Is More Than Just Clutter
Hoarding is more than just laziness, negligence, and messy habits. According to the Mayo Clinic, hoarding disorder is classified as a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Those who suffer from this disorder have difficulty parting with their possessions because they have a strong emotional attachment to them. Obsessive-compulsive disorders have two main symptoms: obsessions, which occur in the form of repetitive thoughts, and compulsions, which create the desire to perform repetitive actions. Hoarding disorder, or compulsive hoarding, occurs when an individual repeatedly believes they need to save items, even if there is no current use for them (the individual develops a fear that there will be a need for them in the future). This anxiety urges them to repeatedly keep items that could be discarded. If you or a loved one has symptoms of hoarding disorder, it is important that you seek help from a mental health professional to begin the process of recovery.
The Dangers of Hoarding: More Than Just Mess
In addition to the mental health aspect, hoarding cleanout professionals agree that hoarding is a serious issue that requires expertise and adherence to a strict procedure to safely clean up a hoarder’s home. These experts identify several dangers of hoarding, including health concerns, and physical hazards like fire potential, structural damage, and poor air quality. Bacteria and mold thrive in damp, cluttered environments, potentially causing respiratory problems, allergies, and infections. Rodents and insects may also infest the space, carrying diseases and contaminating food.With several dangers existing concurrently within the home, it is unsafe for the occupants or their loved ones to handle the situation alone. MSR Restoration is equipped to tackle these situations with a thorough biohazard cleanup.
Health Hazards of Mold and Biohazards
One of the potential dangers of hoarding situations is the potential for bacterial and mold infestation. In severe cases, it is common to find infestations of bacteria and mold beneath the clutter. For example, if food pantries have been left unattended, the spoiled contents can leave behind a residue that may cause stomach issues and other illnesses. Additionally, hoarding can lead to water damage, in which the excess moisture creates an ideal environment for mold growth. Once mold infests the home, it can pollute the air to cause allergic reactions, and respiratory illness symptoms, and worsen pre-existing conditions like asthma.
How Do You Dispose Of Biohazard Waste?
Dealing with biohazards in a hoarding situation requires specialized knowledge and equipment. It is crucial to avoid direct contact with contaminated materials. Professional biohazard cleanup teams are equipped with protective gear, including hazmat suits, respirators, and gloves. They use specialized cleaning agents and techniques to disinfect surfaces and remove hazardous materials. Additionally, they are able to address structural issues caused by moisture damage, mold growth, or rodent infestations. It is essential to follow local regulations and guidelines for handling biohazardous materials to ensure safety and compliance.
Hiring A Professional Company That Specializes In Biohazard Cleanup
Hiring a professional biohazard cleanup team is crucial for several reasons.
- They have the specialized knowledge and experience to identify and handle various biohazards, such as bodily fluids, mold, and hazardous materials.
- Professional biohazard cleanup teams are equipped with the necessary protective gear and equipment to safely and effectively clean up contaminated areas.
- Professionals can follow proper disposal procedures for biohazardous waste, ensuring compliance with local regulations and minimizing the risk of further contamination.
- Finally, by hiring a professional, you can avoid the health risks associated with handling biohazards yourself, such as exposure to harmful pathogens.
Fire Safety Risks of Hoarding and Impassable Spaces
Besides the health risks that come with hoarding, there are several physical hazards that can add to the dangers of hoarding to the occupants of the home. First and foremost, with the accumulation of hoarded items, tall piles of clutter can form, which could prevent residents from being able to safely walk through their homes (or to escape it if necessary). For example, if there is not a clear pathway through the house, there is a risk that the homeowners could trip and fall, and injure themselves. Additionally, as hoarding continues, clusters of piles that are close together can become a fire hazard, even from small activities like lighting a candle or smoking a cigarette.
5 Steps To Cleaning A Hoarder’s House
Cleaning a hoarder’s house involves sorting, decluttering, and deep cleaning to restore a safe living space. A step-by-step approach ensures the process is organized and efficient:
Hoarder Cleanout Step 1: Clear Some Space to Navigate
The first and most obvious step to handling a hoarder cleanout situation is to begin clearing out items from the house. Although this sounds simple, many hoarders will put up resistance to allowing items to leave the home. Patiently doing so until they begin to get more comfortable can help facilitate the disposal of items later. Most important is making sure that you are slowly clearing a path through the building while simultaneously making sure there is ample room to move as a crew within the home without endangerment. For many, this process can take upwards of a week.
Hoarder Cleanout Step 2: Disposing of items & Trash from the House
There are several ways to dispose of items and trash from the property needing a. First and foremost, it is important to make sure that crew members all have a single, dedicated drop point for items being disposed of – this way when they are ready to be loaded for disposal, they are in place to do so. The most popular method of disposal is then to rent dumpsters, into which the crew would dispose of the items. Another option is to rent a larger box truck or similar vehicle, into which the crew can load the chosen items for disposal, and then the truck could be driven to the local dump.
Hoarder Cleanout Step 3: Kitchens and Bathrooms
As the two rooms in the house are most likely to present a messy challenge, the kitchen and the bathroom will likely end up being two of the locations during the that require the most time and effort to get clean. Because these areas often require heavy-duty chemicals to get properly cleaned, the crew is often also required to wear additional safety equipment. In kitchens, the presence of decaying food matter and expired products can present a hazardous environment, so be prepared with plenty of large trash bags and disinfecting/sanitizing products is important. Make sure to keep an eye on the stove, as a fire could be accidentally ignited during the cleaning process. Bathrooms are equally equipped to create hazards to your health. The toilets and showers/baths within these rooms are likely to be collection points for large volumes of bacteria due to the lack of proper cleaning over a long period of time. Making sure that everything is removed before the room is cleaned from top to bottom is key.
Hoarder Cleanout Step 4: Cleaning and Mold Removal
The key factor to ensuring proper cleaning of a property is to make sure that everything is removed from the house. This will allow you to clean and disinfect each surface properly using the appropriate cleaning agent. During the cleaning process, you will hopefully also be able to identify any areas of poor maintenance that may be causing mold issues. These issues can be addressed by mold remediation professionals at during the hoarder cleanout process.
Hoarder Cleanout Step 5: Sanitize and Deodorize
Although we can simply disinfect a variety of surfaces in a home or property, that does not necessarily mean it is ‘clean’. It is necessary to sanitize surfaces to help lower the number of germs to an acceptable and safe level. This is part of the final step of a project, meaning that it is truly clean again. However, there is likely to be some residual odors until the property has time to air out. Finding deodorizing products can assist with making the property tolerable in the meantime.
Getting Help for a Hoarding Living Space
Living in a hoarding situation is more than just clutter, because there are several compounding dangers of hoarding, from additional health concerns and physical hazards, to pest infestations. These dangers are harmful to both the hoarder and the structure, because these conditions can quickly become unsafe and unsanitary. It is important to seek professional help from experts with specific experience in hoarding cleanouts. Contact the professionals at MSR Restoration to mitigate the dangers of hoarding. They will restore the hoarder’s home to safety with respect and sensitivity.
