Whether you or someone you know is a hoarder, it’s important to ask for and accept help whenever possible in this type of situation. Hoarding is a serious mental and physical condition that’s defined by the inability to discard of an excessive number of possessions because they have a perceived sentimental value, even if they’re not actually valuable at all. Oftentimes, these items include old newspapers, toys, magazines, cardboard boxes, photographs, rotting food, moth-eaten clothing, household supplies, and more. If you’re dealing with a similar situation, here are a few reasons why you should consider hiring a professional hoarding cleanup service in Toronto.
Careful Assessment of Structural Damage
People who hoard possessions typically neglect to take care of their stuff and their property. Typically homes of hoarders are in massive disarray and disrepair. Some parts of the structure may be so badly damaged due to lack of care or neglect that they could be falling apart. A professional hoarding cleanup service can assess the property for structural weak spots and ensure that it’s carefully and thoroughly cleared out.
Proper Removal and Disposal of Hazardous Materials
One of the biggest concerns when it comes to hoarding situations is the existence of toxic or hazardous materials on the property. From animal feces to rotting food or mould, there are a lot of potentially hazardous waste materials that can be found. Professional hoarding cleanup crews are equipped with the proper hazardous waste handling gear to protect themselves from exposure to these substances. They also have expertise in disposing of and processing these materials properly and safely.
Ensure Safe Removal of Large Items
Regardless of the size of the property—whether it’s an apartment or a house—cleaning up a hoarding situation is hard work. Sometimes, there are a lot of large pieces of furniture that need to be moved, removed, and cleaned out. It’s virtually impossible to get the job done by yourself and doing a lot of heavy lifting could result in an injury. It’s better to hire a team of professionals who have the right skills and equipment to remove and discard these items for you.
Alleviate Emotional Stress
The process of cleaning up a loved one’s hoarding property can be emotionally taxing. The fact is that you’re simply too personally attached to the situation and sometimes you might be shocked to discover just how dire their hoarding problem is. Hiring a professional hoarding cleanup service in Toronto can help alleviate some of the emotional stress. Since these workers don’t have a personal connection to the situation, they can get the job done more efficiently. However, it is important to note that a professional hoarding cleanup company and its staff will be equipped to deal with these situations safely, and discreetly. Hoarding adversely affects many Canadian families and cleaning projects should not be treated in the same manner as “junk out” or disposal jobs but instead be approached with extreme sensitivity and understanding.
Access to Safety Gear
As mentioned, hoarding situations often entail handling hazardous waste and unidentified materials along with broken pieces of furniture, glass, and weak structures throughout the property. Professional hoarding cleanup crews have access to high-end safety gear and PPE that protect them from coming into direct contact with hazardous materials or breathing in toxic fumes.
At GTA Property Service Group Inc., we are experienced in working with individuals who hoard and their families in a compassionate, empathetic, and respectful manner. Our goal is to thoroughly clean and sanitize the living space to make it inhabitable once again. We can also help organize the contents of the living space according to your preferences. Our team is IICRC-certified, and we offer air quality testing, as well as a variety of other related services. Contact us today to get a free quote.