Dangers of Hoarding and Cleanup Procedures

Hoarding is a dangerous situation that impacts not only the safety and well-being of the occupants, but it can also lead to legal consequences. A hoarded home can be condemned due to it causing public health safety risks. Intervention is critical to preventing the home from being condemned.

What is Hoarding?

Hoarding is a complex mental health issue that causes an individual to excessively accumulate items. The thought of discarding the miscellaneous goods causes them extreme distress; as a result, the person with a hoarding disorder refuses to throw out their extraneous goods.

What are the Dangers of Hoarding?

Hoarding poses great risks to the affected person’s health and safety, their homes and finances, relationships, and social interactions:

Hoarding Health Risks

Hoarding can cause many different diseases, infections, and chronic conditions. The severe effects of hoarding on health result from:

• Poor sanitary conditions – The large number of items in hoarders’ homes renders many essential daily activities such as cleaning, cooking, and bathing impossible. Poor personal hygiene and lack of healthy meals compromise the hoarder’s immune system and make him/her more susceptible to illness. Dirt accumulates in large quantities and creates the perfect opportunity for germs, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms to grow and thrive. Decomposing items (including rotting food, trash, and even human or animal waste) release dangerous byproducts that can make the hoarder sick and create the ideal breeding environment for bacteria and potential disease. The situation is even worse when animal hoarding is involved – a large number of animals living together in a confined space facilitates the spread of germs and disease, animal waste can easily contaminate human and pet food, the bodies of dead animals may never be removed, creating a very hazardous situation, etc.;
• Poor air quality – The large amount of dust in hoarders’ homes and the odors and ammonia from decaying products cause serious indoor air quality issues and can result in various respiratory problems – chronic coughing, shortness of breath, inflammation of the lungs, etc. Clutter can even fall on air vents and/or block other airways, causing a lack of oxygen and raising the carbon dioxide levels in the house. This can be very dangerous as the hoarder may not notice difficulty breathing until it is too late;
• Pest infestations – A hoarder’s home is a haven for pests and vermin – the rotting materials and decomposing items provide an excellent source of food for cockroaches, ants, rats, flies and other critters, and the piles of junk provide ideal hiding and breeding places for the nuisance animals. Once they find their way inside a hoarded home, pests can hide inside, underneath, and among the accumulated items, build their nests, find abundant food, and grow in number, unnoticed and undisturbed.The resulting major pest infestation presents a number of serious health and safety risks – vermin carry various parasites, bring in a lot of dirt, spread bacteria and pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella via their urine and droppings, transmit diseases (such as the West Nile virus from mosquito, the Lyme disease from ticks, or the Hantavirus from mice and rats), and pose potential physical harm to the people and animals living in the house (the bites of some bugs and rodents are quite dangerous);
• Mold problems – The stale air (the clutter prevents proper air circulation), high level of humidity (condensed water and leaking pipes remain hidden behind the clutter, clogs and sewer backups are common occurrences, etc.), and large amount of decaying organic material in hoarders’ homes provide the perfect breeding environment for mold. Spoiled food and dirty food containers that are kept in the house for months and even years also harbor mildew and fungus growth. This inevitably results in a severe mold problem that can cause substantial structural damage and serious health issues – mold can trigger allergies, damage the respiratory system, and aggravate existing health conditions.

Physical Injuries

Apart from the various health hazards mentioned above, hoarding can pose potential physical harm as well:

• Increased risk of falls – Hoarders usually have their things thrown around in a haphazard way, so all kinds of items lie scattered all over the place, making it very easy to trip and fall. This may result in broken bones and fractures, sprains, wounds, etc.;
• Collapsing clutter – The piles of accumulated junk in hoarders’ homes build up to monstrous proportions over time and become unstable as the items grow in number and start disintegrating. The stacks can easily fall over, causing serious injury to the hoarder or trapping him/her under the debris.

The Danger of Fire Hazards

Fire is one of the main dangers in a hoarded home as a large number of accumulated items creates an abnormally high fuel load, resulting in excessive smoke and fire conditions:

• Much of the clutter consists of flammable materials – paper, clothing, food, etc.;
• The proximity of so many flammable items to incandescent bulbs, stoves, and heaters increases the likelihood of a fire;
• Fires can easily occur when objects cover a heat vent or damaged wires;
• Rodent infestation is common in hoarders’ homes, so there’s a high chance of rats and mice chewing through wiring and causing electrical failure and fires;
• Faulty appliances and non-functional gas and/or electrical systems are typical for hoarders’ homes and may result in unsafe cooking and heating practices, increasing the risk of fire;
• With so many combustible materials lying around, fire can spread quickly and overtake a hoarder’s home in seconds;
• Smoke also develops quicker and in greater amounts;
• Fighting the fire and searching for occupants is extremely difficult in these conditions;
• The large number of items in a hoarded home results in a maze-like space that can cause problems for rescue workers who may not be able to navigate the home quickly enough to save the people trapped inside;
• Clutter blocks windows and doors, pathways, and exits, trapping the residents inside and preventing access for firefighters. Besides, firefighters and anyone else who comes to help may also be trapped by the clutter and not manage to escape the fire.

Structural Damages of Hoarding

Excessive clutter not only poses health and safety hazards to the hoarder but can also result in substantial structural damage to the hoarded home:

• Hindered by a large number of accumulated items and lacking the energy and motivation to take proper care of their homes, hoarders do not make any efforts to keep their property in good repair;
• Access within hoarded homes is restricted by the clutter, preventing technicians from performing necessary maintenance on HVAC equipment, sprinkler systems, electrical systems, plumbing, etc. Therefore, problems with these systems remain unnoticed for a long time and result in considerable damage;
• Rodents make holes in walls, break ductwork, chew on electrical wiring, damage woodwork and internal structures of the home, destroy insulation, ;
• Mold grows in large amounts and damages the structural materials of the house;
• Water damage is common in hoarded homes, compromising their integrity for years;
• The great weight and uneven distribution of too much stuff in hoarded homes may lead to structural collapses – floors and other load-bearing parts of a house are meant to support only a certain amount of weight, so as the hoard grows, floors can buckle and support beams and walls can collapse under the strain.

Psychological and Sociological Harms of Hoarding

Last but not least, hoarding has a very negative impact on the overall quality of life of the affected person and can lead to:

• Financial difficulties – Hoarders usually have trouble finding and/or keeping a job (so they have no steady income), can’t tell the difference between valuable or worthless, and spend all the money they have on new items to add to their “collections”. As a result, they experience serious financial problems and find themselves in debt;
• Legal issues – Neighbors would complain about a hoarder next door, as the smell, dirt, and pests from the hoarded house disrupt their own lives and create various safety hazards. This may lead to police investigations and possible eviction;
• Social withdrawal – Hoarding causes conflicts with others (family, neighbors, etc.) and prevents the affected individuals from friendships – hoarders don’t feel comfortable leaving their things to go out or inviting people over (they’re usually very embarrassed by the problem and are afraid of being judged or forced to throw something away, not to mention the inconvenience of the clutter), so they often choose to avoid all social interaction;
• Depression – Hoarding is often triggered by a stressful or traumatic experience involving a bitter loss or a serious disruption of the normal lifestyle of the affected people. It comes as no surprise then that the mental disorder is accompanied by severe depression, anxiety, and stress. Unless timely and effectively treated, these typical hoarding symptoms only get worse with time and lead to even more serious mental illness and social problems.

Hoarders are emotionally attached to their belongings and lack the ability to set priorities and make informed decisions. Therefore, they can compromise their own safety and relationships just because they are afraid to throw anything away. When the well-being of the affected individual is in danger, however, hoarding help becomes necessary.

Can a House Be Condemned For Hoarding?

Yes, a house can be condemned  by local officials for hoarding, due to the potential threats to the homeowner’s safety, health, and welfare. In addition to the home being condemned, the homeowner can face other legal consequences, such as fines and eviction. Usually, a house may be condemned if the conditions inside are considered too dangerous or unfit for living, requiring urgent actions like cleanup or evacuation.

What Legal Interventions Can Occur?

When evidence of severe property damage or safety issues make the home unfit for human habitation, local authorities can intervene. They may declare the property hazardous, which triggers a series of legal actions. Officials first provide notice to the property owner and allow time for rectification.

If the homeowner continues to neglect the hoarded property and fails to make repairs despite warnings from local authorities, the condemnation can go through. However, strict laws are in place to protect both the homeowner’s rights and the safety of the public.

Challenges of Cleaning a Hoarder’s Home

Cleaning a hoarder’s home, however, is a difficult and dangerous process:

• The affected person may feel frustrated and upset by the hoarding cleaning process, so a lot of patience and compassion will be required to help them understand the severity of the situation and overcome their fears;
• There are many laborious tasks to complete – removing large piles of garbage, decluttering and sanitizing the premises, repairing property damage, etc.;
• There are various cleaning hazards – mold spores may be released into the air and breathed in, bugs may bite when their habitats are disturbed, structural elements weakened by mold and water damage may collapse, there may not be enough airflow to carry the noxious fumes away, cleaners may trip on a hoarded item or get trapped under collapsing clutter, etc.

Therefore, you’re strongly advised to hire professional hoarding cleaning services to do the job and restore the hoarder’s home to safe and healthy living conditions. The experts have the necessary equipment and rich experience to perform any necessary hoarding cleaning procedures in a safe and efficient manner.

How Professionals Handle Hoarding Cleanup?

The professional hoarding cleanup process includes:

1. Assessing the situation and developing a cleaning plan – Experienced technicians assess the severity of the hoarding problem, consult with pest control if necessary, and decide on the most appropriate measures for the specific situation. They then create a detailed plan for the cleaning process and coordinate it with the affected person and their family.
2. Earning the trust of the affected individual – The highly trained hoarding cleaning specialists use a considerate and compassionate approach, show respect for the affected individuals, help them realize how dangerous their living environment has become, and make them feel comfortable with the cleanup process. The hoarder is put in charge of the cleanup process to ensure that nothing is disposed of without their approval.
3. Ensuring safety and efficiency – Workers put on protective gear, such as disposable gloves, dust masks, and goggles, before entering a hoarded home to protect themselves against bacteria and diseases. They also carry fire extinguishers, repellent sprays, flashlights, and first-aid kits and have all the necessary cleaning supplies (heavy-duty trash bags, empty boxes, buckets, brushes, sponges, mops, commercial-grade vacuum cleaners, air scrubbers, disinfectants, etc.) with them.
4. Preparing a staging area and a dumpster – A free, open space (such as a patio) is cleared to provide room for the contents of the hoarded home. A large dumpster is prepared for the garbage and contaminated items that need to be discarded right away.
5. Securing the exits – Any items from the entrance area and hallways are removed so that pathways and exits are free from trash and debris. This ensures that the workers will have a free escape route in case of emergency.
6. Removing the clutter – The technicians start working in the room that is closest to the exit – all the clutter is removed from top to bottom, trash is put in the dumpster, and salvageable items are placed in the staging area. When the contents of the first room are taken out, the workers move on to the next premise and continue the process until the entire house is empty.
7. Sorting out the hoarded items – Once the hoard is removed, the specialists sort out the contents and help the affected individuals and their families decide what to keep, what to donate, and what to discard. Trash and debris are bagged and thrown in the dumpster and contaminated and/or hazardous items are properly disposed of (according to the local regulations). Salvageable items are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, restored to their original good condition, and returned to the family or delivered for donation.
8. Restoring the hoarder’s home – When the house is free of trash and clutter, the hoarding cleaning specialists restore minor property damage (this may include repainting, re-carpeting, mold remediation, deodorization, etc. – any necessary major restoration or renovation projects should be left to certified and experienced specialists) and thoroughly clean and disinfect the premises and any furniture pieces, appliances, and other household items that will be put back into use.
9. Organizing the home and keeping it neat and tidy – After the deep cleaning, the hoarder’s home is restored to a safe and sanitary condition. The experts help the affected person organize the remaining items and provide them with a clear and easy-to-follow maintenance plan to help them keep their living space clean and safe. They also do short-term follow-ups to ensure that the cleaning plan is being followed and provide further assistance if needed.
10. Taking care of the paperwork – The technicians work with the affected individuals’ insurance companies and take care of the required paperwork from lawyers, trusts, and government agencies.

Using professional hoarding cleaning services guarantees a safe and efficient cleanup process that will not only remove the clutter and sanitize the home of the affected individual, but also help them overcome their anxiety and resume a normal life. You can get experienced cleaning services for hoarders and a free estimate.