What's Involved in Hoarding Remediation | SERVPRO® of Piscataway

Did you know that as many as 1 in 50 people exhibit some level of hoarding tendencies? Hoarding is a dangerous issue that increases the risk of property damage, including fire and mold growth.

But what is hoarding? Hoarding is a mental illness that shares its genetic makeup with obsessive compulsive disorder. Those who suffer from it feel compelled to buy or collect large quantities of items or animals, so much so that their daily lives are disrupted. Often this activity proliferates in secret.

Those affected by the condition also resist disposing of things because they believe they will be of value at some point, but in actuality, most often the items have little to no value. People may collect trivial items or even trash.

As these possessions are accumulating up in the home, they become fire hazards and breed disease.

If you discover a loved one has been hoarding, what’s your next step? Call on a team of professionals, who can ensure the area is safely cleaned up and rehabbed for future use.

The Stages of Hoarding Clean-up

When you spot a space filled with useless items and clutter, your first inclination might be to just toss the items out and clean up. Cleaning up after hoarding is best left to trained professionals.

A qualified crew will provide a comprehensive clean-up that mitigates any safety hazards that have emerged — keeping you and your loved ones safe.

Removal of Dangerous Substances

As mentioned above, hoarding can conceal any number of dangerous hazards, including toxic mold and other pathogens, along with insects and other pests.

To ensure you are safely cleaning the space and not putting yourself or others at risk, partner with professionals who are educated in removal best practices and outfitted in specialized safety gear.

Removal of Items

In this stage, the space is swept of all clutter, trash, and trivial objects that have accumulated.

In addition to removing accumulated items, some household items, like furniture or carpets, may have become contaminated and also require removal.

Complete Cleaning

Once the space is cleared of all clutter and debris, a professional team will then deep-clean the area. During this step, they’ll work to mitigate all stains and odors, making the space usable again.

In need of a team to help restore a space where hoarding has been an ongoing issue? Contact our team at SERVPRO® of Piscataway, and we’ll make it like it never even happened.