Hoarding Cleanup In Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, McLean, Woodbridge, VA, and the Surrounding Areas

At T.A.C.T. of Northern Virginia, we support individuals and families dealing with hoarding situations with professional hoarding cleanup services in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, McLean, Woodbridge, VA, and the surrounding areas. We understand the overwhelming nature and potential hazards of clutter from hoarding and want you to understand that you are not alone. Help with hoarding decluttering is available and we strive to make the experience a positive one.

Recognizing the sentimental value of many items, we ensure the process is handled respectfully. Our team of trained professionals has extensive experience working with hoarding situations. It is not abnormal for individuals to feel embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help, but when you choose T.A.C.T., you can be sure that you are in the best hands possible.

Understanding Hoarding Disorder Levels

Hoarding involves excessive accumulation of items along with a difficulty discarding them due to a perceived need to save them. This disorder can cause significant stress, financial strain, legal issues, and health risks. Our services aim to alleviate these challenges, providing a safe and organized environment.

Hoarding is often categorized into a five-level scale to help assess the severity of the situation. These levels should be considered as general guidelines as each hoarding situation is unique. In order to safely and effectively address hoarding concerns, proper assessment and intervention by trained professionals is essential.

• Level 1 - Minimal Hoarding: In a level 1 hoarding situation, the space is relatively clutter-free and individuals can function without any significant issues. There are no sanitation or safety concerns, and hoarding behavior may not be immediately apparent, but there may be several areas that show early signs of excessive clutter.
• Level 2 - Mild Hoarding: In a level 2 hoarding situation, some areas of the home may be inaccessible, but the overall living conditions are still relatively functional. There is an increase in clutter and disorganization and there might be signs of odors, dirty surfaces, or excessive dust. Safety hazards could be starting to develop for the residents and pets in the home.
• Level 3 - Moderate Hoarding: In a level 3 hoarding situation, the clutter becomes more severe, with multiple blocked areas impeding navigation throughout the home. At this level, there may be unusable essential household appliances and structural damage may be present. There may be noticeable odors, pest infestations, mold or other biohazard issues. Sanitation concerns become more significant and professional services are advised.
• Level 4 - Severe Hoarding: In a level 4 hoarding situation, there is extreme clutter with most areas of the home inaccessible. There are substantial health and safety risks at this level and professional intervention is necessary. There could be rotting food, animal feces or other biohazards present. Utilities may be disconnected and the home may have severe structural damage.
• Level 5 - Extreme Hoarding: In a level 5 hoarding situation, a living space is completely overwhelmed by clutter, making it virtually uninhabitable. Immediate professional intervention is required to address the situation and restore a safe living environment. There may be human waste or decomposing animals present, and the home's structural integrity is often compromised. Level 5 hoarding situations present a high risk of fire, injury, or illness.

Human Waste Cleanup and Biohazard Cleanup in Hoarding Situations

There are multiple concerns with the safety of a property for inhabitants. Human waste, urine, and other fecal matter that does not get disposed through plumbing systems can negatively impact air quality and turn clutter, debris, or litter into a biohazard. Only trained professionals with the appropriate PPE should attempt to clean up properties with biohazardous materials and human or animal waste.

These situations require proper cleaning techniques along with sanitizing areas and surfaces where possible, and disposing of damaged items. Those things, such as carpeting, rugs, furniture, or other soft items that need to be removed are hazardous waste and must be treated in a different manner than normal garbage. Odor removal will come later once the source has been corrected and the contaminated materials have been removed.