It is essential that a home is clean for both the health and psychological well-being of a household. At RestoPros, we know the detrimental effects of a home that has been neglected. In addition to trauma cleanup, odor removal and blood decontamination and cleanup, we also offer hoarding cleanup. Reclaiming a home after it has been compromised by hoarding can be a long and difficult process. Sometimes a home will have fallen into such disrepair that it requires a complete remodel to ensure the safety of its occupants.
Are you currently living in a home that might be impacted by a person with the obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder known as hoarding? The symptoms of hoarding are not always easily detectable as they manifest and grow over a period of time. Read over this list for common signs of hoarding – and take action if they reflect the personal habits of yourself or a loved one.
Rooms Are Unusable If your home contains rooms that are no longer usable because of the amount of clutter, this is one key sign of a hoarding issue. Boxes stacked to the ceiling, stacks of newspapers and piles of random products and refuse are standard impediments in the home of a hoarder.
No Organization to the Clutter There are some people who are better described as “pack rats,” who keep collections or keepsakes in organized storage. A hoarder has no clear organization to the clutter in their home. However, the association with the clutter and where it is located does often become a point of obsession.
Hoarded Items Have No Value Most of the clutter in the home of a hoarder has no real value. Common signs of compulsive hoarding include keeping newspapers, junk mail, magazines, old clothes and broken electronics and appliances. This is in addition to collections of debris that could be described as trash: fast food bags and boxes, spoiled food and other products used with food.
Unwillingness to Give Up Items A hoarder has an unhealthy attachment to items of no value. They will refuse to give up objects that have no real monetary or sentimental worth – which sometimes includes trash and organic debris. Bags of trash will often accumulate because they are reticent to throw them away. One of the most telling signs is a home filled with bags of garbage that have begun to spoil.
Lots of Pets Sometimes the obsessive-compulsive behavior associated with hoarding will manifest in a large collection of pets. Aside from the animals creating more trash (and spreading the clutter around), there are often more animals than can safely be cared for. This is a particularly unhealthy situation as pet debris and waste can contain bacteria that can promote disease and exacerbate allergies.
The Home is Becoming Unsanitary Living in a home that is filled with clutter, trash and organic debris can lead to unsanitary conditions. A hoarder is more likely to stop cleaning dishes, the bathroom, washing clothes and other basic tasks that keep a home clean. This not only affects the psychological well-being of the household, but is also an extremely unhealthy environment.
Increased Social Isolation/Defensiveness Another common sign of hoarding is increased isolation, which is usually impacted by the state of the home. A hoarder will try to keep people from coming inside the house by making excuses about the mess. They will sometimes disengage from friends and family; a byproduct of depression and an unaccommodating home. They can also be very defensive about their living conditions – and any suggestion of change.
If you or someone you know are dealing with these common signs of hoarding, seek help right away. Remember that RestoPros offers complete cleanup services for homes affected by hoarding and similar issues. Call us at 855-587-3786 to schedule an assessment with our cleaning professionals today!
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