Hoarding is a complex behaviour. It revolves around the act of excessively accumulating new items while struggling to part with current posessions. It’s estimated that between 20,000 and 59,000 individuals in Alberta suffer from hoarding behaviours. 

Follow along with us at Grimebusters as we explore some of the challenges hoarders may face and how we can help. Grimebusters is your reliable partner for hoarding deep clean-up and remediation in Edmonton. We have over 30 years of experience and an unwavering commitment to assisting homeowners in reclaiming their space. 

When Clutter Becomes a Crisis

The truth is, hoarding isn’t simply a messy house that got out of hand. It often involves an emotional attachment to items, including items with little practical value, making them hard to get rid of. This buildup can ultimately lead to severe risks to the health of individuals living there. This can include challenges to mental, emotional, and physical health, especially as the hoarding continues over time. 

Unfortunately, hoarded homes can affect more than just one person. It also often deeply affects family members, friends, and pets. Despite these challenges, hoarded houses and their owners deserve dignified care. At Grimebusters, we’re here to bridge this gap with our comprehensive Edmonton hoarding clean-up services.

The #1 Hidden Danger of Hoarding

Hoarding situations can quickly become hazardous. Hoarded homes, especially those with years of build-up, often house multiple pest issues. Not only do these pest issues fester and become worse without proper care, but they also harbour biohazards which can affect health. 

Pest issues often include:

• Pigeons and birds
• Cockroaches and insects
• Mice and rodents
• Bed Bugs

It’s essential to prioritize removing pest biohazards from any living space. While rare, these pests can potentially cause structural damage over long periods. Mice hiding in walls, birds living in vents, and bugs chewing through wallboards can create costly repairs.

If you’ve discovered pests in your home, it’s crucial to first reach out to a licensed pest exterminator. Once the infestation is under control, Grimebusters will handle the rest of the remediation. 

Recognizing the Signs of a Hoarding Situation

Hoarding can present itself in different ways, but there are a few hallmarks of these circumstances that friends and family can keep in mind. 

While not an extensive list, hoarding situations may display:

• A severe accumulation of trash and personal belongings.
• A presence of moulding food, pest infestation, and human waste.
• A lack of sanitation on belongings, appliances, and the home structure. 
• Belongings are blocking pathways, making it difficult to enter and exit. 

Why Hoarding Clean-Up Requires a Professional Touch

It can be overwhelming for someone struggling with hoarding to attempt to clean their homes alone. More often than not, the mess is simply too significant to know where to start, and can also trigger feelings of control, guilt, and frustration. It can be difficult for hoarders to reach out because of these underlying feelings. 

It’s common to have concerns such as “what if they throw everything away?” and “what if they judge me?”. But the truth is that any expert hoarding clean-up professional understands these fears and knows how to help. When you partner with Grimebusters, you can rest assured that strict procedures are in place to ensure your comfort. 

Grimebusters will never throw out any important personal belongings. Our team works collaboratively with the homeowner to ensure important items are set aside before the hoarding cleanup begins. We’ll go over our entire servicing plan with costs and estimates as well, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. 

With Grimebusters, Your Mess is Our Mission

Living with hoarding is a challenge on its own. That’s why we believe no one should need to combat it alone. At Grimebusters, we offer friendly, comprehensive, and discreet hoarding clean-up services in the Edmonton area.  If you need hoarding assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team today.