Hoarding is a mental health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Hoarding is a compulsive illness in which a person strongly desires to keep things, even if they are dangerous, filthy, or worthless. In many cases, the person who hoards ends up being emotionally attached to the hoard and the items in it, which makes the situation hard to deal with.
Adding to this is the damage that hoarding can do to the structure and stability of a property. In this article, we’ll discuss the link between hoarding and property damage and how property restoration and hoarding cleanup services can aid in taking care of these problems and returning houses to their original state.
How Does Hoarding Damage Property?
Now that we understand what hoarding is, we can examine the dangers that are usually overlooked when evaluating this type of behavior. Due to the accumulation of garbage and other materials, the hoarder and anyone who goes into the area or lives close by is at risk for many health problems, such as fire, rodents, crush injuries, mold growth, and damage to the structure itself.
Listed below are some ways that hoarding can damage a property.
Risk of Fire
The pile-up of junk and flammable materials is an obvious connection between hoarding and damage to property. There is a risk of fire not only to the structure but also to the occupant if debris, paper, and other combustible materials are allowed to accumulate.
A fire can start quickly if something covers a heating vent or damaged wires. It is much more challenging for residents to leave the building and for firefighters to respond in an emergency if the hallways and rooms are cluttered.
Infestation
As items start to build up, there is a greater possibility that your property will end up being a home for unwanted visitors like rats and insects. Food that is left out, garbage, and clutter are all things that are most likely to attract vermin, such as mice, cockroaches, and other unwanted animals. This can add to unsanitary conditions and cause damage to the building’s structural integrity.
Mold Growth
Mold growth is yet another common issue related to hoarding. Poor air quality and increased humidity are the perfect conditions for mold development when clutter blocks vents and condensation or leaking pipelines are covered. Trash, spoiled food, and other perished household items can breed mold if not thrown away properly.
The mold can grow on the walls and surfaces, causing the building to deteriorate. People who struggle with hoarding can benefit from the help of professionals and their mold removal services.
Structural Damage
The threat of structural damage to buildings is also a significant problem that may occur from hoarding. It is also possible for a hoarder’s accumulation to expand to the point where it endangers the building’s structure.
The decay of the property’s foundation is often the first indication that the structure cannot support the contents. When this occurs, it’s important to get the help of professionals to repair and reinforce the structural framework through their property damage restoration services.
Why Hire Hoarding Cleanup Services to Restore Your Property?
Property restoration and hoarding cleanup services can be tremendously helpful in addressing the link between hoarding and property damage. Removal of flammable debris, assessing structural damage, remediation of mold development, and prevention of vermin infestation are some of the ways in which these services can help homeowners get their property back to its original state.
Hoarding is a complex mental health condition that calls for an alternative approach, and these experts have been trained to deal with hoarding-related issues with care and respect. You can find more information about property restoration and cleanup services related to hoarding on this page.
Conclusion
Hoarding is connected with extensive property damage, which can have lasting effects on the hoarder. But it is possible to fix these problems and return homes to their original condition with the help of adequate resources and assistance. You can seek help from psychological health professionals or restoration companies if you or someone you know is dealing with hoarding behavior. Hoarding is not something that has to consume life. With a bit of support and guidance, it’s possible to live clutter-free.
