Clearing a Hoarder’s home or nest is something that needs to be done! Especially if they are facing eviction or have passed away. But there are a lot of dangers that lurk within a hoarder’s nest, and there can be things lurking in amongst the junk that you might not expect. Here are just a few reasons you might want to think twice about clearing a hoarder’s house on your own.
Hoarding
Hoarding is a recognised psychological condition that can affect anyone. Stressful life events can trigger hoarding tendencies. It can be extremely difficult for hoarders to address the problems that come with hoarding or even stop hoarding without specialist help. Trying to clear a hoarder’s nest without permission or co-operation from the hoarder can lead to a very bad situation. So it is best to not force a confrontation if you can avoid it.
Insects, rodents and infestations
One of the biggest problems that a hoarder’s nest can have is infestations of insects and rodents, especially if the hoarder is a food hoarder or animal hoarder. Rotting food, animal waste that isn’t cleaned up, and plenty of hiding places mean that rodents and insects have access to plenty of places to live and feed inside a hoarder’s nest.
Because hoarder’s homes can be extremely messy, it can be difficult to tell at a glance if there is an infestation of insects or rodents. If there are any signs of insect or rodent activity; then it is best to call an exterminator straight away so they can assess the situation for you.
Structural Damage
One of the unseen dangers in a hoarder’s house is the potential for structural damage. Floors can be weakened by the excessive weight of hoarder’s belongings over time. Which can be dangerous to walk on, especially on upper floors in a hoarder’s house. This means that not only are floors something to be wary of, but ceilings are too – especially if there is a loft space that is used by the hoarder.
Not only can there be structural damage to the floors and ceilings; but the walls can be damaged by mould, infestations and rot. This means that hoarder’s homes are not safe places and cannot be cleared effectively without expert help.
Fire, trip and collapse hazards
Not only are there infestations and structural damage to worry about when clearing a hoarder’s nest; but there are also fire, trip and collapse hazards. High piles of hoarder’s belongings have the potential to fall, crush and trap those that are trying to clear the hoarder’s nest. There are also numerous trip hazards and plenty of things that can cause severe injuries in a fall.
Finally, there are fire hazards to be concerned with. Most hoarder’s nests will have plenty of combustible material lying about. Therefore maintenance on electrical systems and wiring is often something that is either completely forgotten about; but virtually impossible to carry out when a hoarder’s nest is full. This means that there is always the possibility that a fire will break out at any time; even during the clearance of the house.
Have a hoarder’s nest that needs clearing? Call our experts today to get a free quote and see how we can help you get rid of all the clutter in a safe and professional manner.
