Compulsive accumulation of belongings, also known as hoarding, is estimated to affect between 2% and 6% of the Canadian population. Hoarding can be incredibly challenging to live with. Many individuals who struggle with hoarding deal with feelings of guilt, shame, and discomfort about their living situation. Even if occasional tidying up happens, the consistent accumulation of items creates an unsafe, contaminated environment.
Hoarding cleanup isn’t something your loved ones should need to tackle on their own. Grimebusters has provided home remediation services since 1994, including for those affected by hoarding. Here are some of the most common signs someone you know may be dealing with hoarding—and how we can help.
- The Home Has Strong Odours
One of the most obvious signs someone can benefit from professional hoarding cleanup is strong, unpleasant odours immediately upon entering the home. Over time, as both waste and processions accumulate, unpleasant smells also worsen.
The root of this issue is often a combination of moulding food, musty belongings, and sometimes even human/animal waste. More often than not, these smells signify an extreme biohazard issue which needs to be addressed right away.
- There’s Mould or Physical Damage
Mould is one of the most common and dangerous issues in hoarder homes. Large piles of waste and decomposing items create moist, dark, and warm environments—the ideal breeding ground for mould to form. Unfortunately, the extreme clutter often hides this growth, making it difficult to see the full extent of the damage until hoarding cleanup begins.
With mould, physical damage to the foundation of homes can follow. While rare, the high amount of moisture can lead to wood rotting and warping. These deep structural issues can cause irreparable damage if not treated in a timely manner.
- You Notice Potential Fire, Safety, or Fall Risks
Clutter doesn’t just disrupt day-to-day life. It also creates serious safety hazards. Hoarding means that belongings, trash, and other items pile up everywhere in the home. There’s often not a safe path to move between rooms and other places in the house, creating falling and tripping risks. If there’s an emergency at home, obstructed pathways also make it difficult for first responders to reach you.
Other safety risks caused by hoarding include:
- Grouped clutter near electrical outlets, causing the potential for fires
- Newspaper, plastic, or flammable materials near stoves and space heaters
- Non-flushable items falling into toilets, clogging and causing flooding
- Living Spaces Are No Longer Functional
Hoarding situations don’t often stay contained in certain rooms or areas of the house. It completely takes over the home. It’s all too common to find piles of takeout containers underneath beds or piles of unopened mail in kitchen cabinets. It can become extremely difficult to bathe, cook, use the bathroom, or perform any other daily tasks.
Appliances are also often neglected. Maintenance of washing machines, microwaves, and refrigerators frequently becomes forgotten, making them either unusable or unsafe to use.
- There are Indicators of Withdrawal or Embarrassment
Cluttered homes don’t get to their state overnight. It’s a long, gradual process—often over years. Those struggling with hoarding often don’t realize how bad it’s gotten until it’s spiralled out of control, making it even harder to deal with.
To make it more difficult, individuals affected by hoarding often deal with complex feelings of embarrassment. This makes it difficult to ask for help, whether it’s support from friends or professionals, such as repair technicians or hoarding cleanup experts.
Judgment-Free Help for Hoarding Cleanup with Grimebusters
At Grimebusters, we’re here to help everyone create a safe, healthy home environment. Our team has over 30 years of experience helping Edmontonians clean and maintain their homes. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with hoarding, we’re here to help. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our comprehensive hoarding cleanup services and receive dependable support.