The longer the hoarder piles up stuff, it decays and becomes a toxic or hazardous material. As the hoarder piles more stuff, it becomes difficult for them to access the bathroom facilities and trash cans. In a hoarded home, you can find discarded food, animal waste, and human waste, among other things. The inhabitants of such a house are at risk of health complications and illnesses.
Hoarding
It is when too many items are stored in a confined space like an apartment, home, or office space. With hoarding, many items are stored in a person’s house where normal movement is inhibited. Hoarding is associated with economic burdens, health issues, and social isolation. You will need a biohazard cleanup and remediation to tackle this hoarding problem.
The home of a hoarder is moist, dark, and clustered. It is the perfect condition for cockroaches to thrive, leading to the spread of pathogens. If hoarding is done in the kitchen and dining room, the hoarder will get frequent food poisoning. The residues and droppings of pests and cockroaches can flare up asthma. It is difficult to clean thoroughly in a hoarded environment, and when the remains get airborne, they may get into the throats and noses of people around.
When cleaning a hoarder’s home, you should get the homeowner’s consent. They should be capable and agree to leave these items behind. There are many health issues associated with hoarding. The cleaner must explain the situation to the hoarder, and help them come to terms with what needs to be done.
Risks associated with hoarding
1. Mold and mildew
When items and trash decay, they break down, leading to mildew and odor. Mold and mildew thrive in an atmosphere with decaying items and moisture. The ventilation of a home with too many items is limited hence your home will not be well-aerated. Mold can grow on personal items and spread on floors and walls. Property damage and health issues may arise due to mold growth.
2. Structural damage
The structure of your home can be weakened by mildew and moisture. Before the bacteria from the mold and mildew starts to grow into woodwork and walls, seek the services of a cleanup company. The walls and floor of your home decay slowly if it carries fewer heavy items.
3. Fire
A hoarded house is susceptible to fire outbreaks due to many items placed in a confined space. If the kitchen is overstuffed and electrical outlets are blocked, the homeowner is at risk of a fire outbreak. Always remember that it would be difficult to exit the house if there’s a fire outbreak in your home.
4. Rodents
When the debris and garbage in your home have been piling up for long, mice and rats will be attracted to that environment. Rodents are very destructive as they can feed on fabrics and even garbage. I am sure you wouldn’t like to see feces and droppings of rodents in your home because this will lead to diseases and health conditions. If your pet ingests these droppings, they might get sick or die.
Conclusion
Hoarding is a biohazard because you can find human waste, animal waste, or discarded food in a hoarded house. Mold and mildew, rodents, fire, and structural damage are the various risks associated with hoarding. Seek the services of hoarding and biohazard cleanup companies to tackle these hazardous chores for you.