When hoarding is a problem SERVPRO can help!

1/23/2019 (Permalink)

The way they started hoarding, the items they collect, the reasoning behind it, the conditions it is in.

What constitutes a hoarder versus a collector?  What is the difference between someone that is thrifty and saves “things” for future use and someone that is a hoarder?  Why are some people so attached to the things they find and store in their homes, while other are minimalists, and even the thought of abundant amounts of “stuff” around the house makes them nervous?

 What Is Hoarding?

The easiest definition of hoarding is when the amount of acquired clutter prohibits functionality in the home. This means that functional areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and dining rooms cannot be used for their intended purpose. There are 5 levels of hoarding, 1 being minor clutter and 5 being blocked rooms, pathways, animal/human waste, limited ingress and egress, etc. Remember level 5 hoarding cases do not happen overnight, so a level 2 or 3 can quickly become a level 5 if proper methods are not utilized to prevent it.

Because each situation is different we handle each on a case by case scenario. A hoarder home is one of the most difficult types of jobs to handle. Not only do we need to make sure that the contents are packed and boxed in order for us to do our job (handle the water damage/fire) but we also have to be mindful that these contents more than likely holds significant value to our customer.

How does one get into the situation where their home is completely full of contents and they are to the extreme buried alive?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Hoarding is the persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. The behavior usually has deleterious effects—emotional, physical, social, financial, and even legal—for a hoarder and family members.

For those who hoard, the quantity of their collected items sets them apart from other people. Commonly hoarded items may be newspapers, magazines, paper and plastic bags, cardboard boxes, photographs, household supplies, food, and clothing.

 Hoarding can be related to compulsive buying (such as never passing up a bargain), the compulsive acquisition of free items (such as collecting flyers), or the compulsive search for perfect or unique items (which may not appear to others as unique, such as an old container).

SYMPTOMS AND BEHAVIOR

Someone who hoards may exhibit the following:

I know that embarrassment can keep people from seeking help but REGARDLESS OF THE REASONING WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

If you know of someone in this situation this website is a very informative website and can help :

https://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/hoarding-basics 

SERVPRO of West Riverside city is trained in assisting you in getting your life/home back on track.

You need a company that specializes in cleaning services from packing to biohazard cleaning. SERVPRO of West River side City is first call you should make. Here are the top reasons why you should hire SERVPRO.

Ensure Safe Removal of Items

Hoarders typically collect excessive amount of items, including newspapers to trash. As these items pile up in a home. This can create a serious safety hazard, plus offer an environment for unwanted pests. It is best to hire a company with knowledge to remove the debris in a safe manner.

Avoid Contact with Hazardous Materials

Hoarder homes become a breeding ground not only for pests, but for possible unsafe pathogens. During a cleanup, proper protective equipment should be worn to protect the body. SERVPRO has the necessary tools to safely complete the job.

Perform Complete and Thorough Cleaning

SERVPRO has the knowledge and resources to restore the home to a nearly pristine condition.  By doing so, the company will provide a safe living environment for all that reside in the home.

We are cognizant of the fact that there may be heirlooms and valuables beneath the surface of trash.   Our professional approach to these jobs is why we are called back time after time and we are pleased to provide this service.

To prevent and respond to hoarding behavior, be sure to be respectful when communicating with the individual. Instead of acknowledging the clutter, focus on expressing safety concerns for not just themselves but for those around such as neighbors, family members, responders etc. The use of outside outlets to help with intervention can be beneficial and necessary.  

Types of Hoarders

If you or someone you know has a hoarding situation, give us a call to see if we can help make it “Like it never even happened.”