Author: bio

If you’re rooting around in your attic for the first time in awhile you may have come across a mess – rat droppings YUCK! Now you’re worried, “Is this dangerous? Is it safe to clean rat droppings without gear? Isn’t there something terrible about rat droppings?” First, take a breath! We get it, finding a bunch of rat droppings in your attic is something nobody wants to deal with but believe it or not you may be able to handle this on your own!

Rat droppings and nesting material can hold infectious viruses so it is critical that before a clean-up is performed enough time has passed for that infectious matter to no longer be a threat. If there’s any concern, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals.

First let’s lay down some general info about cleaning up rat droppings.

How to Clean Rat Droppings

First, recognize whether this is something you can handle. While it may be safe to do with the right equipment and approach, not everyone can handle this kind of job and it might be best to get help, professional or otherwise.

Ok, ready?

Before you head into the attic to perform the cleaning, identify if this area is rodent-infested or if it is clear of them. The first step is to contain and end the active infestation. Trap the space and seal any entrances to the area. Trap for a week and once no more rodents are captured you can move to the next stage.

Before you start cleaning the area, first allow the space to ventilate. Open up doors and windows, creating cross-ventilation if possible, and leave the area open for at least a half hour. This will let fresh air work its way in and replace the stagnant air.

First – Urine and Droppings

It’s crucial that when you start cleaning up the droppings you don’t stir up a mess by vacuuming or sweeping  the droppings. This will stir up dust and particles  and kick them into the air – you don’t want that.

Put on rubber, later, or vinyl gloves and get to work. Spray the droppings and urine with either a bleach and water mixture or disinfectant and let it soak for at least 5 minutes. This soak, or dwell time as we call it, will ensure that any alive material is taken care of. If you’re using a commercial disinfectant or cleaner, follow all instructions on the label to ensure maximum effectiveness.

To make your own mix: use 1 part bleach to 10 parts water

Then, simply use a paper towel to pick up the droppings and dispose of the waste in the garbage. After all of the droppings have been removed, make sure to disinfect any items that may have been contaminated.

Next – The Space

With the droppings removed it’s time to really take care of the area, cleaning and disinfecting everything. Mop floors, steam clean carpet and furniture, wash any launderables that may have been contaminated.

After you’ve removed the droppings and cleaned and disinfected the space remove the gloves and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.

So how does this change when you’re working in attics?

When Cleaning in Attics, Basements, And Other Confined Areas

When you’re cleaning attics etc. you’ll want to wear gloves (rubber, latex, vinyl etc.) Make sure to wear a mask of some sort to provide protection against dust, molds, insulation fibers that will be in the environment (these won’t necessarily protect against any infectious viruses but its a start).

From there follow the previously outlined steps of using a spray on droppings and nesting materials using bleach and water solution or a disinfectant.

You may need to replace exposed insulation if that has been contaminated from the droppings. Put the contaminated insulation into a garbage bag for removal. 

If you have storage containers or boxes that have been contaminated you need to approach them correctly and safely.

First take the containers outdoors and let them sit somewhere that is well-ventilated and exposed to sunlight. After they have aired out and been hit by sun, disinfect with a water and bleach solution or disinfectant.

Then, remove the contaminated materials to a sunlit and ventilated to help decontaminate them. Any cardboard boxes that have been contaminated should be thrown right out, but plastic, glass, or metal can be disinfected.

Cleaning rat droppings can be done safely, you just have to approach it from the right angle. If the situation is too much for you to handle, or if there are a lot of remains in the area (you’d be surprised) it might be best to pay for a professional to help. In those cases, The BIOClean Team is here to help!

When it comes to things that are biohazardous, remains and waste aren’t the only things to worry about. Another frequent problem for many people, especially in more wet environments is mold. Left unchecked and mold can grow past its normal, natural levels and create a hazardous living conditions. So, what needs to happen then? Is it mold removal or mold remediation, and what’s the difference anyway? This time on The BIOClean Team blog we’re going to give you the low down on just that!

Mold Remediation or Mold Removal?

Mold Removal

First things first, mold spores exist naturally just about everywhere. They are microscopic, indoor and outdoors and totally normal. To try and ‘remove’ all the mold is just downright impossible and if someone is trying to guarantee that they can remove it all, well that’s just not true. More likely they are talking about removing the excessive mold growth and colonies which is when the mold gets to a point of being hazardous. No, the real goal (and approach) is mold remediation!

Mold Remediation

Mold remediation is a whole process by which a mold problem is addressed. It’s not just taking the moldy chair or square of drywall outside into the dumpster. It involves inspection, containment, air filtration, removal of mold and mold-infested items and materials, cleaning, and finally restoration.

 

Before any remediation can start in earnest, the first thing that needs to be tackled is the source of the excess moisture. If that is left untreated, the mold will return. Follow your nose, look for signs of water damage, listen for drips. There may be mold growing hidden from view, we can use a few different tools and techniques to detect these hidden mold and sources of moisture.

 

After the source of the moisture has been addressed then the mold remediation can truly begin. 

 

Mold Containment

The first step proper is containing the mold where it is, and preventing any further spread. Negative air chambers can do this, created using physical barriers and using negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from pushing out of the affected areas during clean up. All HVAC systems will also be turned off at this stage to stop the spread and exchange of air throughout the home or building.

Air Filtration 

With containment in effect it’s time for specialized air scrubbers, filters, and HEPA vacuums to start the process of clearing the air of mold spores while the rest of the work occurs. This is an ongoing step in the mold remediation process.

Mold Removal

Using antifungal and -microbial treatments, the mold remediation technicians treat, eliminate, and remove mold colonies, killing the ones that are there and preventing any new colonies from cropping up. Any porous material, things like carpet, drywall, or furniture, that have been the host to serious growth of mold colonies  will need to be removed.

Cleaning

Sure, it might sound simple but this is a crucial step in the remediation process! Using different best practices, the crew sanitizes all of your furniture, curtains, clothing, decorations and more. Again, all to clear away any currently existing mold. Deodorization takes place here too, using special fogging equipment to clear away any lingering mold smell.

Restoration

The level of restoration needed will depend on how long the mold has grown unchecked and the specific conditions of the space. Drywall, subfloors, and other materials may need to be removed completely which will then require restorative work such as replacing, painting, installing new carpet, or others!

Unsure if you have a mold problem? Mold typically produces a strong, musty odor. Smell that, follow your nose and you find your mold problem areas quick.

Call The BIOClean Team today and we’ll remediate your space to safe conditions quickly and correctly.

 

Contact BIOClean Today!

When it comes to things that are biohazardous, remains and waste aren’t the only things to worry about. Another frequent problem for many people, especially in more wet environments is mold. Left unchecked and mold can grow past its normal, natural levels and create a hazardous living condition. Here’s what to know about the health effects of mold!

The Basics of Mold

Mold covers a huge range of different fungal species. Mold spores are all around us as they’re microscopic. When water gets into your property, that increase in moisture allows the mold spores to take hold and start growing. 

Mold in the home is found in damp, dark areas such as kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, plumbing areas, and any areas with poor ventilation and potential flooding.

Here are some more mold facts to give you a baseline of mold knowledge

• Mold is present just about everywhere – indoors and out.
• Mold can grow in as little as 48 hours! 
• Mold can enter your home through windows, doors, HVAC, or in the fur of your pet.
• Mold colonies may produce allergens and irritants and have the potential to cause other health effects when inhaled.
• Indoor humidity above even 45% is enough to support mold growth.

Health Effects of Mold

Molds may be a common enough thing out there in the world but that doesn’t mean they are healthy obviously. When present in sufficient quantities, mold spores are a health hazard causing all manner of health troubles such as respiratory problems or allergic reactions, and more.

Certain molds produce mycotoxins – toxins that can cause serious trouble for humans and pets. These mycotoxins can cause neurological disorders, even potentially death. Extended exposure, such as from being present in your home and daily exposure, is particularly harmful.  

Common allergic reactions to mold include symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes, chronic coughs, headaches or migraines, breathing troubles, rashes, sinus issues, tiredness, and sneezing.

Who Is Most At Risk For Health Problems from Mold Exposure

People with allergies are certainly likely to be more sensitive to molds. Those with immune disorders, or have underlying lung diseases are particularly susceptible to the infections caused by mold. Anyone with a chronic respiratory disease can experience increased difficulty breathing.

How Do You Keep Mold Out Of Buildings And Homes?

Let’s say you don’t have any mold yet and now after reading this you want to do your best to keep that from happening – we wouldn’t blame you! Here are a few things you can implement right now to keep it out of your home.

Inside your home, you can control mold growth by:

• Control humidity levels
• Fixing any leaky roofs, windows, and pipes when they develop
• Clean and dry after flooding
• Have great ventilation in the humid rooms

Think you have a mold problem? Experiencing health complications that point towards mold?

Call The BIOClean Team today and we’ll remediate your space to safe conditions quickly and correctly.

Contact BIOClean Today

Last time on the blog we talked about what goes into crime scene cleanup jobs. This time we’re going to talk about how you end up with a crime scene cleanup job if you follow. It’s not a career that comes up in the high school career fair but working as a crime scene cleaner is absolutely a career available! This time on the BIOClean blog – how to get crime scene cleanup jobs.

How to Make Crime Scene Cleanup Your Career

Whatever your inspiration, whether it be CSI or the movie Sunshine Cleaning, becoming a crime scene cleaner takes a bit of work, but nothing more than most jobs. Like most careers, becoming a crime scene cleaner requires specific qualifications and certifications. Remember the job at hand is cleaning up biohazardous waste. To do that you’re going to need specific training to perform it safely and correctly. 

While there’s no formal degree (no Doctorate of Remediation out there) the certifications are plenty. You’ll need specific certifications that show you know how to safely and correctly remediate spaces following biohazardous exposures, bloodborne pathogen training, and more. 

If you’d like to find out more how to become a crime scene cleaner we have a full blog on just that.

How to Get Crime Scene Cleanup Jobs

Wherever people live, there is going to be a need for biohazardous cleaner and crime scene cleanups. That’s just the unfortunate nature of people. So you’ve got yourself some certifications and equipment and now you’re ready to do the work.

So how do you get crime scene cleanup jobs? 

Well, we can tell you from our experience – it helps to know people for sure, but you know what’s better?  Being known as reliable, trustworthy, and caring!

First, get out there and market your business like you would any other, and then once you get that first job do the job right! You want anyone who considers you to be able to trust your speed, reliability, and discretion.

When you’ve done it enough, you’ll become a known entity to the people who are in the area to make these kinds of recommendations.  Emergency personnel, property managers, hotel managers, these are people who are more likely to need your services.

That’s just good business. Word of mouth, reliable reviews, and becoming a trusted provider of the service is how you land the work.

If you’re in the San Diego or Las Vegas area, and you want to join the best crew of crime scene cleanup techs give us a call. If you’re looking to start a business in your own area, best of luck! You’ll need grit, determination, and attention to detail to deliver what people need. This job isn’t for the faint of heart, and it’s not for the lazy or messy either. It’s a necessary service that has to be done right to ensure safety for everyone!

 

This month at The BIOClean Team we’re focusing on the crime scene cleanup part of our business. It’s not the one we talk about the most often, but it is a service we are proud to offer. This time on the blog we’ll talk about what exactly a crime scene cleanup job entails, how they come about, and more.

The What, Who, When, and How of Crime Scene Cleanup

What is Crime Scene Cleanup

Crime scene cleanup is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the cleaning and remediation of a location that has been the setting for a crime. In the course of these crimes occuring there is the potential for harmful contaminants like blood, bodily fluids getting into the surfaces of the space such as the walls, floors, subfloors, etc. The blood and fluid can be home to bloodborne pathogens. Those pathogens can make whoever lives in that space sick, even months later so getting it professionally cleaned and remediated right away is of the utmost importance for safety.

Who Needs Crime Scene Cleanup

The usual clients who call for crime scene cleanup are the home/property owners of the place where a crime has been committed. It’s important to remember that it isn’t the magnitude of the crime that denotes needing a crime scene cleaner, it doesn’t have to be a particularly ‘bad’ crime to need our services. 

It just needs to have created an environment that is hazardous, without biohazardous material being left behind. Even something as relatively “low stakes” as a breaking and entering could necessitate a professional to come out if the burglar cut their hand on a glass window or something. That could feasibly leave a puddle of blood or smears around the home. If the home was unoccupied at the time and found later the blood could have made for a more hazardous environment as the material was allowed to seep into the materials.

When to Call for Crime Scene Cleanup

Anytime you’re the victim of a crime and there’s a mess left behind! You can never be too careful when it comes to things like potential biohazards! 

How Do We Tackle Crime Scene Cleanups

After Law Enforcement, EMS and the Coroner leaves the crime scene, family members, property managers and business owners are faced with the daunting task of cleaning up after the traumatic event. Having a compassionate, discreet and locally available company to clean the scene helps grieving family or affected businesses move forward safely and efficiently.

Our highly trained BIOClean Team technicians will arrive in discreet vehicles and provide comprehensive cleaning services, out of sight of neighbors and onlookers. If the crime scene is in plain sight, we do have the ability to set up large containment partitions and will do our best to be as discreet as the scene allows. BIOClean Team technicians will never speak with the media.

From there, there are two key pieces of the cleanup process:  Containment and then Cleaning/Removal

The contaminated area is framed off  to control where the contamination might spread. If the blood, bodily fluids, etc. can be kept from contaminating surfaces further that is the first step in a solid cleanup plan. 

When the situation has been contained, it’s time to start the cleanup. First, any obvious debris, objects that can’t be cleaned, dirt, and biohazardous waste (blood, fluids) are removed and safely disposed of. Then it’s time for disinfecting! Using the proper cleaners, disinfectants, and other tools, we clear away any remnants of the contamination. Afterward we can use deodorizers to ensure there’s no lasting smell.

After a crime, the last thing the victims and family need to worry about is who is going to clean up. Call The BIOClean Team – We’re Here to Help

 

• Most Crime Scene Cleanups are Covered by Insurance
• No Out-of-Pocket Costs in Most Cases
• We offer FAST 24/7/365 Service
• We are Locally Owned & Operated
• We are Licensed by CA Dept. of Public Health

The BIOClean Team also provides services for the following tragic events, such as:

• Suicides
• Homicides
• Traumatic Accidents
• Accidental Death
• Undiscovered or Unattended Death
• Fatal Accidents

 

Call Today

This time on the BIOClean Team blog we’re taking it back to basics and addressing one of the most common aspects of our work. How to clean up blood. Whether it’s a little or a lot, blood requires specific attention lest it become a much worse problem down the line. So if you have a blood splatter on your shirt or a larger stain on the floor – BIOClean has your back!

How to Clean Up Blood

Cleaning up blood is crucial for health and safety. Blood is infectious, which means it’s a vector for pathogens such as Hepatitis, HIV, and other pathogens to transmit through. Blood-borne viruses can live in blood for multiple days. For instance, Hepatitis B virus can live in the blood for up to one week. These and other viruses can remain active and present on surfaces long after visible blood or bio is gone. Surfaces contaminated with blood or other body fluids should be thoroughly disinfected and tested by a qualified biohazard company. 

Cleaning up after blood is critical, and it’s not something you can do without the proper tools which means using PPE, correct disinfectants, and safety precautions. That means:

• disinfectant 
• personal protective equipment such as gloves
• red biohazard bags
• biohazard labels
• brush and dustpan or tongs
• disinfectant wipes
• towels/cloth

You might potentially need a sharps container as well, depending on the nature of the mess.

With those at the ready, here’s how you clean up blood spills.

First – Get set up with your PPE.

Second – Clear away any debris around the blood. If there’s broken glass or shards, use the dustpan or tongs to remove them.

Third – Cover the blood with an absorbent towel or cloth and allow it to soak up as much of the excess blood. Discard the towel in the biohazard bags

Fourth – Apply the disinfectant as indicated. Allow it to dwell for the required length of time.

Fifth – Scrub, working the area with wipes or towels working from the outside of the spill inward.

Afterward dispose of any waste and used products, disinfectant and clean any of the reusable equipment (such as the dustpan or tongs) and wash your hands.

If this spill occurred at work, you’re likely required to report the incident so do so.

How to Clean Blood Stain

If the blood in question has already hit fabric and started to stain it’s time to act fast! 

Two Big Ideas to Follow

• Act Fast
• Don’t Use Warm Water

The sooner you attend to it the easier it will be to clean and using warm water or heat of any kind is strictly a no-no – the heat will cause the stain to set. With those two principles in mind, here’s how you can remove blood stains from fabric with a product you already have in your medicine cabinet!

You’ll Need

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Paper towel or clean cloth

First – Test the hydrogen peroxide in a small spot to ensure it won’t discolor your fabric. 

Second – Splash the hydrogen peroxide on the stain and let it sit. 

Third – Let the peroxide sit and work it’s magic. Dwell time!

Fourth – Dab with the clean cloth, starting on the outside of the stain and moving inward.

Repeat as necessary.

Once the stain has been removed you can wash the clothing/fabric as normal.

Hydrogen peroxide is a great first step in cleaning the stains because its a very light form of bleach. If the stain doesn’t come out with it, you can test a few other cleaners including dishwashing liquid, ammonia, baking soda, or use a cleaner made specifically for that purpose, in which case you want to follow the manufacturer’s instructions by the letter for best results and safety.

 

How to Clean Up Blood Poolside

It’s the summer and pool parties are everywhere! The rough housing, horseplay, slippery surfaces, and, let’s face it, the likelihood for alcohol to be involved makes for a recipe for a tumble and potential injury. If your have to clean up some blood from around your pool here’s what to do!

First, make a simple bleach solution using 9 parts water to 1 part bleach. If you are using some other specific disinfectants, always follow the information and instructions on the label!

Clean-up Procedure Using Bleach Solution 

1. Block off the area to prevent anybody from making a mess or getting infected.
2. Put on disposable gloves to protect yourself.
3. Use paper towels, or other absorbent material to wipe up the blood. Place these directly into a garbage bag.
4. Pour the bleach onto the contaminated areas.
5. Let it work! Dwell time is the most critical piece of disinfecting!
6. Wipe up the bleach solution.
7. Remove gloves and place them, along with all other disposable soiled cleaning materials into the garbage bags.
8. Any non-disposable tools such as mops or brushes should be saturated in the bleach solution and left to air dry.
9. Double-bag and secure the garbage bags and throw them away.

 

The other option? Calling in the experts with the skills, equipment, and confidence to clean and disinfect the area. If you have a blood clean-up job that needs taking care of, just make one quick call. Available 24/7 The BIOClean Team is here to help!

Call Today!

Lately, we have been talking at length about the dangers of hoarding, the work required to remediate and clean a hoarding situation, and took a look at the psychology behind hoarding to try and answer ‘Why do people hoard?’ This time it’s time to look at the other side of it all, what happens when your home has been cleared of clutter and waste, and how you can reclaim your home!

Your Home – A Mental and Physical Space

Homes are symbolic. The physical space representative of our mental space, whether we know it or not. They are expressions and extensions of ourselves, again, whether we know it or not. And that link flows both ways! Our identity informs our spaces, and our spaces inform our identities. Or if you prefer, the external(home) informs the internal (mind). With that in mind, you can see how hoarding can be a vicious cycle to your mental wellbeing. 

Once your home has been cleared and cleaned from hoarding, you are effectively getting a blank slate to start with so follow these tips to start off right!

 

First, Fix What’s Broken and Finish Projects

Further evidence of the connection between home and health – UCLA conducted a study that found families who lived in a home that had things in need of repair, unfinished home improvement projects, etc. were more likely to have weaker cortisol recovery rates than those without. Even if they don’t know they’re thinking about it, their bodies are holding on to that stress of an unfinished thing. So that’s the first step! Repair what needs fixing, finish lingering projects and you’ll have a good base to work from.

Create a Vibe with Color and Light

Color therapy is a pretty popular idea that suggests that certain colors equate with certain feelings. To put it at its most basic (we are a cleaning company not a chromotherapist after all!) it goes like this. The color of something can affect moods through the wavelength of light they reflect. For instance, red has the longest wavelength of light, that’s just science, but the next step is looking at that long wavelength and how it would require the eye to adjust more to capture it, thus stimulating the mind and energy. On the opposite side of the (color) spectrum are blues, a shorter wavelength that makes for a calmer vibe. 

You can use lights to a similar effect! Natural light is great and does great things for our health when we’re able to soak up some Vitamin D. But too much can be a problem too! Use window coverings like shades to soften the light when there’s too much. You can even buy lightbulbs that mimic the exact type of light you’re looking for. Each lightbulb should have a kelvin rating from 1-10,000. The lower the rating, the softer the light will appear, allowing you to choose which rooms have a cozier feel and which are made to mimic the bright light of day.

Putting color and lighting to purposeful work for you might be just what the doctor ordered.

 

Furniture for Functions

After a hoarding situation, it’s likely you need new furniture entirely, so why not pick some pieces that will build and encourage something nurturing? For many people their living rooms are furnished with chairs and couches that are positioned around the TV. When you sit on the couch, the focus is placed on that, and without realizing it that becomes the sole purpose of that room. People can sit in the same room and never engage with each other. Sometimes that’s fine, but socialization, emotional connection, and bonding are hugely important (something we’ve all probably learned over the past year!) 

With that in might, why not select and place furniture in a way that encourages what you want and love in life! If you enjoy chit chat over coffee, place couches facing each other with a table in the middle to hold your cup of Joe. Set up chairs on the patio to encourage sitting and talking. Figure out what you enjoy and what would make you happier, and how having the right set up of furniture could encourage that.

 

Not quite at this stage yet? Still have rooms of clutter that need to be tossed first? The BIOClean Team is here to help clear those spaces and give you a fresh start.

Call today!

Last time we took a look at answering why people hoard in depth. This time on the BIOClean Team blog we’re going to be doing a rapid-fire response FAQ, to answer any lingering questions you may have about hoarding. 

Note: It’s important for us to disclaim – The BIOClean Team provides information but it is never a replacement or substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment from a professional. We do not intend it as such, and it is not implied to be a replacement for professional help.

How to Stop Hoarding?

Hoarding disorder is a real condition that can’t just be switched off like a light. Like other mental health disorders it requires professional treatment and assistance in diagnosing, identifying, and managing the triggers and symptoms.

How Many Animals is Considered Hoarding?

Some places may put a number on animals that  considered hoarding, such as over a dozen, but the simplest and clearest way to define animal hoarding is this:

• A person owning more than the normal number of animals
• The person being unable to provide the minimal standards of care for the animals (including nutrition, shelter, sanitation, and vet care)
• The person is in denial of their inability to provide this care and the impact it has on the animals, themselves, and the home.

To understand animal hoarding more in-depth, check out this article put together by the ASPCA.

How to Treat Hoarding?

So far, cognitive behavioral therapy seems to be the most effective treatment for those who suffer from hoarding disorder. It isn’t as effective as it can be in treating other disorders, but it’s something.

The American Psychological Association has an article for more information on treating hoarding disorder.

How to Deal with Hoarding Parents (or Grandparents, Uncles, Children, Siblings, etc.)?

When it comes to interacting with someone you worry suffers from hoarding disorder, it’s best to approach it from a place of compassion. Many of those who have hoarding disorder are aware that there is a problem, but feel ashamed and unable to break the cycle. Raise your concerns, avoid passing judgment, and offer help. Keep in mind they may be unwilling to change. Do your best to offer and suggest help, including treatment, but it is a difficult disorder to break free of.

How Does Hoarding Start?

We talked about this a bit last time, but it seems that hoarding typically starts in younger adults and the severity of it increases with age. Sometimes it starts with a traumatic life event that the person is unable to cope with. The hoarding starts with the person buying or otherwise acquiring items they don’t have obvious use for. Maybe an extra kitchen appliance because ‘It’s a deal!’ or ‘You never know!’ Both of these statements show that there isn’t an obvious need or purpose for the item, but the person is getting them anyway.

Why Are People Hoarding Toilet Paper?

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a worry that as things shut down, there’d be shortages of some necessities. Toilet paper seems to be the one that got singled out the most, as such more people bought excessive quantities of toilet paper, just in case. Because so many did this at once, it created an artificial scarcity – there was plenty of toilet paper to go around, but a larger number of people were buying it bulk to keep themselves stocked, making it harder for others to find and when they did find it, they were more inclined to purchase more to avoid running out again. It was a circle of artificially inflated demand.

But it wasn’t hoarding in the way that we handle hoarding cleanup. This wasn’t based on the hoarding disorder to be sure.

How to Cure Hoarding?

As mentioned earlier, hoarding disorder isn’t fully understood and there doesn’t seem to be any cure for hoarding. The best hope is for treatment to help manage the behavior.

There’s one last thing to talk about when it comes to hoarding – the clean-up!

Hoarding creates dangerous environments to live in and to try and clean.  When it comes time to clear out the waste and clutter, seek the services of a professional and compassionate cleaning company. The BIOClean Team is just that. 

Need Help? Call The BIOClean Team Today

Last time on the BIOClean Team blog we talked about the dangers of a hoarding home, and how that behavior creates not just a cluttered environment but a hazardous one as well. For those who are searching out information about hoarding, a question that no doubt comes up as well is why. Why do people hoard? This time on the BIOClean Team blog we’re going to talk a bit about that.

Note: It’s important for us to disclaim – The BIOClean Team provides information but it is never a replacement or substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment from a professional. We do not intend it as such, and it is not implied.

Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding is a disorder that manifests as a difficulty in throwing away or parting with possessions due to a perceived need to save them. Someone with a hoarding disorder will experience real distress at the thought or suggestion of getting rid of the things they are hoarding.

The hoarding that takes place can range from mild to severe, from having little impact on daily life to completely changing the way the person lives. Those who have hoarding disorder frequently don’t see it as a problem, which makes treatment and support difficult. 

Causes of Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding is still not deeply understood. It’s not clear what is the cause of it, whether it’s genetic, stressful life events, or changes in brain functions – all of these are being studied as possible root causes for the disorder. 

While the cause of it is misunderstood there do seem to be some clear risk factors.

Risk Factors for Hoarding

Hoarding behavior can start to manifest as early as preteens, and generally will get worse with age. That said, hoarding is much more common in older adults than in young adults.

Risk Factors Include:

• Personality
• Family History
• Life Events
• Other Mental Health Disorders

Personality

Many people who have hoarding disorders seem to have an indecisive personality or temperament. Whether this is a symptom or a risk factor isn’t totally clear.

Family History

There seems to be a strong connection between hoarders having a family member who also has the disorder. This might point to a genetic cause for hoarding disorder or an environmental one. 

Life Events

Life events, particularly stressful ones can be the inciting incident for some people to develop hoarding disorders. Events such as divorce, death of a loved one, fire, evictions, all of these can cause someone to have problems coping and hoarding as a result.

Mental Health Disorders

Whether these are risk factors for developing a hoarding disorder or a byproduct thereof, other mental health disorders are frequently seen in those who suffer from a hoarding disorder. These include:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depressions
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorders

Can Hoarding Disorder Be Prevented?

Unfortunately, because the disorder is still yet not very understood, there isn’t any way to prevent it from developing. But, like all mental health problems, getting treatment early at the first sign can be a way to prevent the hoarding from getting to an uncontrollable state.

If you have to get help at the first sign of it, what should someone be on the lookout for?

Symptoms of Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding is a private behavior and as such, it can be difficult to spot until the clutter has reached a point where others see it. 

Signs and symptoms of hoarding may include:

• Excessively getting new items that aren’t needed and have no space to put them.
• Inability to throw out or part with items.
• Feeling a need to save items, getting upset at the thought of getting rid of them.
• A build up of items and clutter to the point where rooms aren’t able to be used.
• Indecisiveness, procrastination, problems in planning and organizing.

While doctors can’t seem to answer why do people hoard, the disorder is understood enough to have clear signs, symptoms, risk factors, and other details that make treatment possible.

One piece of that is getting professional help in cleaning up. The BIOClean Team tackles hoarding homes efficiently, professionally, and compassionately. We understand the struggles the person is going through and we do our best to keep it as calm and easy as possible.

Need Help? Call The BIOClean Team Today

One of the more common situations The BIOClean Team handles are hoarding cases, and there are reasons anyone going up against a hoarding situation should call in the professionals, and the sooner the better.

And if you’re worried someone you love is a hoarder, it’s important to handle the matter delicately, but it does need to be addressed. Hoarding presents all sorts of dangers to the occupants of the home.

How to Know If Someone Is a Hoarder

If you’re concerned that someone you love is a hoarder, you likely already have a pretty good idea of the state of their home and what’s going on. Other signs and symptoms may include:

• Excessively acquiring unnecessary items.
• Difficulty throwing out or getting rid of things, regardless of value.
• A feeling of needing to save items.
• Being upset at the thought of getting rid of items.
• Clutter building to the point where rooms are uninhabitable, unusable.
• Any tendency towards perfectionism, indecisiveness, avoidance, problems planning and organizing

Some of those may seem counterintuitive at first, after all, if someone is a perfectionist why would they hoard garbage? The truth of the matter is all of those traits speak to an unhealthy compulsion of some sort which can manifest in hoarding tendencies.

If you want to know why they may hoard, the most commonly reported and understood beliefs are that:

• The hoarder believes the items are unique, valuable or needed in the future.
• The belongings have important emotional/sentimental value
• The hoarder may feel safer when surrounded by their things.
• A fear or desire not to waste

Dangers of Hoarding

Hoarding creates a number of problems – financial, familial, and yes, health related. Those health hazards are what we’re here to discuss. These increase the longer hoarding behavior is unchecked, especially if there are animals present.

Falling Objects

One of the most common and obvious dangers of hoarding is in having piles and piles of items stacked high. These stacks can get so high and heavy that they are imbalanced, falling on people and animals below, trapping them or worse.

Air Quality Suffers

Hoarding creates an environment where dust, messes, and odors will run rampant. Decaying waste can also be present. All of these create an environment that is hard to breathe in safely. Cleaning an environment like this requires us to use respiratory protection, so imagine what that does to the people and pets living in them!

Fungus & Mold Grow

Another contributor to air quality problems will be the fungus and mold that grows from saved food waste. Spoiled food in the refrigerator, pantries, on dishes in the sink, all of these will decay and allow mold to grow. Aside from the smell which will quickly fill the home, the fungus and mold particulates in the air are health risks.

Plumbing Trouble

In homes where extreme hoarding takes root, plumbing problems are common. Things can end up in drains and toilets that don’t belong, clogging pipes and leading to further unsanitary and dangerous situations.

Sanitary Issues

Speaking of unsanitary, the general condition of a hoarding home is likely to be unsanitary, especially if animal hoarding is a part of the problem. Animal waste can be left unfound, some pets can even pass their bodies being lost in stacks of trash, all of which will decay releasing gases into the air and creating an unhealthy environment.

Infestations

Many pests thrive on rotting food and waste. Rats, flies, cockroaches, and more will be drawn to the unsanitary conditions, making their homes in the hoarders homes. These pests will leave droppings and waste which will further reduce the air quality and create a hazardous environment. 

All of these things can create safety issues as well as health problems in the home. Walls may become home to pests, the excessive waste acts as fuel to fires, floors, walls, and windows can even break or crack from the weight and shifting garbage.

If you or someone you loved is experiencing a hoarding problem – get help today. Speak with a professional who can help the hoarder in processing through the mental troubles, and hire biohazardous cleaning professionals like the BIOClean Team to safely remediate a home back to livable conditions.

If you’re in the Southern California (San Diego, Orange County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County) or Las Vegas areas, The BIOClean Team is here to help!