If you've inherited a hoarded property, then you might have originally planned to clean it out yourself. On the face of it, this looks like a simple rubbish clearance job.
However, some hoarders leave behind problems that you don't want to deal with. Hoarded houses can be a health and safety risk. In these instances, you're better off leaving the job to specialist cleaners. When might you need to call in professionals?
1. The Hoarder Died in the House
If the person who owned the house died in it, then you have to factor this into your cleaning plans. If their body wasn't discovered for a while, then you have to deal with residual problems even after the body is taken out of the property.
For example, body fluids and blood may have leaked into beds and carpets around the place of death. These fluids are hazardous and are hard to remove effectively if you don't have the right tools and expertise. In this case, it's safer and less traumatic for you to bring in specialist cleaners with relevant experience.
2. The House Contains Biohazardous Waste
Hoarders with severe long-term problems often end up without working utilities. If their water is cut off or if their toilet breaks down, then they won't be able to fix the problem.
In some cases, hoarders who can't access bathrooms or who don't have working toilets will have to find different ways to deal with bodily waste. For example, they might urinate in bottles and defecate in bags. They won't necessarily dispose of these items; they'll end up in the hoard.
Plus, if they keep pets, then they may have allowed them to toilet where they like indoors. Even a single cat or dog can leave a lot of faeces hidden in or around a hoard.
These wastes are a biohazard. You don't want to come into close contact with them or to handle them. They also need specialist disposal. A hoarding cleaning company can do this job for you safely.
3. The House Contains Pests
Hoarded houses are magnets to pests. It's common to find mice and rats living in the hoard.
If you clear the house out yourself, then these pests are a risk. Vermin and their droppings are a health hazard. If you aren't fully vaccinated and touch droppings or get bitten, then you could get sick. It's safer to leave a pest-heavy clean to the professionals.
If you aren't sure what to do next, contact local hoarder cleaning companies and ask for their advice.
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