Some of the best tips for hoarding cleanup are to call a professional, notify the hoarder’s insurance company, and prevent recurrence with treatment. Many hoarding messes cannot be properly and safely cleaned without the help of a professional cleaner. The hoarder’s insurance may need to investigate the problem and, in some cases, may pay for the entire cleanup. In addition, much like other mental problems, recurrence is likely without treatment. Experts often stress not to be ashamed about the problem, since hoarding tendencies are true mental health problems rather than someone just being lazy.
One of the best things to do is to call a professional for hoarding cleanup. These professionals are usually the same people who clean up crime scenes once the local police are finished investigating. A house that has experienced hoarding damage might be a bio-hazard, meaning it is a risk to peoples’ safety. There are often specific laws to follow when cleaning up such messes, laws which the average person is unaware of or does not have the proper equipment to follow. It is important to call a professional hoarding cleanup company rather than a maid service who may not have the appropriate knowledge to deal with the situation.
Sometimes hoarding cleanup is paid for by the hoarder’s renter or homeowner insurance. This is always worth looking into because of how expensive cleanup can be, especially for long-term or multiple hoarders. The insurance company should be contacted before cleanup begins. Depending on the policy and local laws, the hoarder’s insurance premiums may rise in price due to the claim.
Hoarders must deal with their problems to prevent recurrence. There are hoarding experts who can come to a hoarder’s home and help him or her on a daily basis. Knowing what kind of hoarding is being dealt with can help with finding a hoarding expert. Digital hoarders, for example, are people who collect useless files on their computers. They are much different from animal hoarders, who are people that obsessively collect cats, dogs, or other animals that fit in or around their homes.
Sometimes hoarders are mistaken for lazy or dirty people. The truth is that hoarders have a real problem. People who hoard should be encouraged not to be ashamed by their problem because it is fairly common and treatable. In addition, it is often not the hoarder’s fault that he or she is hoarding, but usually stems from an unpleasant past experience.
