Condominium Crisis: Hoarding and Abandonment

12/15/2021 (Permalink)

Using SERVPRO’s time-tested and industry-approved steps, along with our proprietary cleaning products and methods, we are "Here to Help!"

In places where you'd least expect it, you might be surprised to find instances of hoarding. This specific condominium had to deal with a tenant that not only abandoned their condo, but left the mess for our SERVPRO of Minnetonka technicians to handle.

What is Hoarding?

No, hoarding is not the same as your grandma collecting knick-knacks in an organized, intentional, and targeted fashion. Don't be freaked out if she can't get enough of collecting fancy china!

People with hoarding have persistent difficulty getting rid of or parting with possessions due to a perceived need to save them. In these instances, attempting to part with these possessions causes great distress and lead to decisions to save them.

The prevalence of hoarding seems small at 2.6%, but can cause massive issues. Hoarding can cause issues within relationships, social and work activities, and other important areas of functioning.

How does hoarding affect a home?

Although hoarding can range from very mild to severe cases, it can create cramped living situations, narrow pathways, and make areas like kitchen countertops and stoves virtually unusable. 

Depending on the items that are collected (trash, magazines, mail, books, rotten food) it can cause significant stress on the integrity of a home.

• Heavy items can cause stress on the foundation of the home. Floorboards and rooms that are overstuffed with items can cause warping in walls and flooring.
• Rotten food can soil surrounding materials leaving stains, rotting natural wood, and discoloring paint on walls. 

SERVPRO saves the day!

Cleaning is at the heart of the restoration work that we do, regardless of what disaster may have damaged your home. Our certified technicians have mastered multiple layers of recovery tactics to clean a damaged property such as:

• Wiping Surfaces
• Cleaning Carpets and Material
• Deodorization
• Biohazard Cleanup

To combat unfathomable situations such as COVID-19, we created a defensive pathogen cleaning program that goes far beyond standard janitorial cleaning practices. We use our patented 3 C's to bring a higher standard of clean to the places we gather. For more information, visit this link on our website.

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration based on a recent Commercial Attitude 7 Usage Tracking study, call SERVPRO of Minnetonka at 952-473-4837 with any of your cleaning needs today!