Wondering what the dangers of hoarding are? Read on to find out!
Individuals who suffer from a compulsive need to stockpile items until there is no breathing space left are known as hoarders. You’d be surprised to know that about 5 million to 14 million people in the US are compulsive hoarders!
Hoarding is an illness that causes the hoarder emotional and physical distress. Hoarding also often leads to a wide array of issues and threats that can affect your property and wellbeing.
Here are some risks and dangers associated with hoarding:
Bad Indoor Air Quality
Hoarders often have to live with bad indoor air. This is because the hoarded items often block the access of fresh air into their homes, which results in the circulation of stale air. If you happen to live with pets, then the situation can become more dangerous because the ammonia from waste products gets added to the dust and odor and significantly worsens indoor air quality. Moreover, the air will have other debris and pollutants such as pert dander as well.
Mold, Mildew, and Fungus
Hoarders often find it difficult to throw away food items, even when it goes bad. Spoiled food in the fridge and on pantry shelves, combined with leftover food that’s been sitting out for days and weeks on end can lead to mold and mildew growth. These fungi will make the house stink and prolonged exposure to it can cause health problems as well, particularly in individuals who are allergic to mold.
Plumbing Problems
Extreme hoarding often leads to plumbing issues. This is because hoarders tend to stock heaps upon heaps of their belongings on every imaginable surface, which leads to things ending up in places such as down the drain and toilet. This leads to sewage backups, clogged pipes, and other plumbing issues. If the situation isn’t resolved immediately, then the unsanitary conditions can cause health problems.
Pest Infestation
Pests such as flies, roaches, and rats are attracted to animal waste and rotting food, which is a common sight in a hoarder’s home. If the situation remains as is, then it can quickly lead to a huge pest infestation, which can have devastating consequences on your health and the structural integrity of your home.
Compromised Structural Integrity
As mentioned above, a hoarder’s home is the ideal environment for pests and mold. Pests, such as rats, can get inside the walls of your house and chew through the electrical wiring, which will cause electrical failure. Any electrical failure comes with the risk of a fire, which is further exacerbated in a hoarder’s home due to the sheer number of combustible items lying around.
As for mold, once it settles on a surface, it can quickly spread through your entire home and cause structural damage to your property. Moreover, leaking pipes or clogged toilets can also lead to significant water damage to your property and belongings.
To avoid the aforementioned dangers of hoarding, you must hire an expert hoarding cleanup and decontamination service. The experts will sort through the hoarded items, salvage anything of value, and throw away the rest. They will also make sure to clean and decontaminate every inch of your home to keep you and your family out of harm’s way.
Visit our website for professional and hoarding clean up and decontamination service!
