Wondering what the dangers of hoarding are and why you should hire a professional cleanup company to get rid of the clutter right away? Read on to find out! Did you know that compulsive hoarding affects 19 million people in the US and often goes undiagnosed?  Compulsive hoarding is a real issue that is often treated lightly as it is not truly understood by many people. Hoarding is the compulsive buying, acquiring, and storing of objects that have little or no value. It leads to clutter in the house. Severe hoarding comes with a whole host of dangers and can be a safety hazard. This is why you should hire a professional restoration company to get rid of the hoarded clutter right away. Here are some of the dangers that come with hoarding: Fire Hazards Hoarding leads to various fire hazards such as blocked entryways and exits. Furthermore, the clutter of flammable items near heat sources and open flames increases the likelihood of fire accidents. Physical Injury Most times, the hoarded clutter is so bad that there’s no space to walk around. A carelessly placed stack of items can easily fall on a person and cause injury. Furthermore, with so many hoarded items, there are increased chances of people falling and tripping over things due to a lack of space. Loss of Structural Integrity The significant weight of a hoarder’s clutter can jeopardize the structural integrity of the property. This is particularly true for two-story homes. The second floor can’t withstand the weight of the clutter accumulated due to severe hoarding. Hoarding can weaken the floorboards and can even cause entire floors to collapse. Mold Growth With too much clutter around the house, the occupant will often fail to notice leaks, which will continue to foster mold growth. Loss of ventilation due to the clutter will also promote mold growth. Additionally, mold will remain hidden behind the clutter and cause further loss of structural integrity. Health Risks Hoarding also comes with various health risks such as respiratory issues for the hoarders and their families. This is because the amassed clutter makes it quite difficult to get rid of dust and keep the property clean. This leads to the buildup of dust, which aggravates existing conditions such as allergies and asthma. Moreover, mold that’s hidden behind the clutter also contributes to respiratory issues. Dangers of Hoarding Clean-up When it comes to cleaning up the hoarded clutter, there are certain safety precautions that you need to take. Pest and mold infestations are commonly uncovered only after the cleanup process starts. The same also goes for structural damage. To safely handle these hazards, the people cleaning up the clutter need to follow a certain protocol and have the right protective gear. This is where a professional restoration company enters the picture. Professionals will clear the clutter safely and properly dispose it. They will also clean, disinfect, and restore your property to a habitable standard in no time. If you need to get rid of the hoarded clutter, reach out to the Service Team of Professionals today!