What Problems Can Be Hiding Inside a Hoarder Home? Mold, Odors & Contamination

Hidden Problems Found During Hoarder House Cleanouts

When you first walk into a severely cluttered or hoarded home, the belongings are usually the most obvious problem.

But sometimes the bigger problems are underneath them.

Once years of accumulated belongings are removed, homeowners may discover mold, water damage, animal waste, damaged flooring, pest activity, odors, and other problems that were previously hidden.

Understanding what may be underneath the clutter is an important part of planning a hoarder house cleanup.

Why Can Hoarder Homes Develop Hidden Damage?

Large amounts of belongings can make it difficult to see walls, flooring, plumbing fixtures, windows, HVAC vents, and other parts of a home.

That means a small problem can sometimes continue unnoticed.

For example, imagine a slow plumbing leak occurring behind several stacks of boxes. In a normally accessible room, the leak might be discovered quickly.

In a severely cluttered room, it could potentially remain hidden much longer.

By the time the belongings are removed, there may be moisture damage or mold growth behind them.

Mold Growth in Hoarder Homes

Mold requires moisture to grow.

Hoarder homes aren't automatically moldy simply because they contain clutter. However, clutter can make moisture problems harder to identify and may restrict airflow in certain areas.

Potential moisture sources include:

• Plumbing leaks

• Roof leaks

• HVAC condensation

• Crawlspace moisture

• High indoor humidity

• Water intrusion around windows or doors

• Appliance leaks

• Previous flooding

Mold may be discovered behind furniture, beneath flooring, around windows, inside cabinets, behind drywall, or underneath stored belongings.

Animal Urine and Feces

Animal contamination can be another major concern in some hoarder properties.

When urine repeatedly reaches carpet or flooring, it can penetrate materials beneath the visible surface.

Removing the carpet may therefore reveal that contamination or odor has reached the padding, subfloor, trim, drywall, or other porous materials.

Animal feces can create additional sanitation concerns, particularly when large quantities are present.

This type of property may require specialized cleaning rather than a standard household cleaning service.

Why Do Some Hoarder Houses Smell Even After They're Emptied?

This is a common question.

Removing everything from a property doesn't necessarily remove the source of an odor.

Odors can become trapped in porous building materials and surfaces.

Depending on what caused the odor, it may remain in:

• Carpet and padding

• Wood subflooring

• Drywall

• Insulation

• Cabinets

• Upholstered furniture

• Other porous materials

The source of the odor needs to be identified before deciding on the appropriate cleanup method.

Simply masking an odor with fragrance does not address its underlying cause.

Pest and Rodent Contamination

Heavy clutter can also provide areas where insects or rodents can remain unnoticed.

When belongings are removed, homeowners may discover droppings, nesting materials, damaged insulation, contaminated surfaces, or other evidence of pest activity.

The extent of the problem may not be visible until the room has been cleared.

Hidden Water Damage

Water damage is another problem that may be discovered during a hoarder house cleanout.

Pay particular attention to areas around:

• Sinks and toilets

• Washing machines

• Refrigerators

• Water heaters

• Exterior walls

• Windows

• Ceilings

• Basements

• Crawlspaces

Discoloration, deteriorated materials, staining, or visible microbial growth may indicate that a moisture problem has occurred.

Finding the source of that moisture is critical before repairs are completed.

Why a Hoarder Cleanout Is More Than Junk Removal

Junk removal can be an important part of the process, but severe hoarder properties may require additional services.

Once the belongings are gone, the condition of the actual structure can finally be evaluated.

Depending on what is discovered, the next phase could involve specialized cleaning, mold remediation, removal of contaminated materials, odor treatment, or other restoration work.

This is why it can be helpful to work with a company experienced in more than simply hauling away unwanted belongings.

Buying or Inheriting a Hoarder Home?

Investors, homeowners, and family members sometimes inherit or purchase properties without knowing the full extent of what is underneath the contents.

Before beginning renovations, it is important to expose and evaluate the home's surfaces.

Clearing the property first makes it easier to identify moisture problems, mold, damaged materials, contamination, and repairs that may need to be completed.

If you're preparing a severely cluttered property for renovation or sale, you may also want to read our guide: “How Do You Clean Out a Hoarder House? What Homeowners Need to Know.”

Hoarder House Cleanup in Morganton, NC

CleanTech provides professional cleanup services for challenging properties throughout Morganton, Burke County, Hickory, Lake James, Marion, Valdese, and surrounding areas of Western North Carolina.

Our services include hoarder home cleanup, mold inspection and remediation, biohazard cleanup and fire damage cleanup.

If you've discovered a hoarder property and aren't sure where to begin, contact CleanTech to discuss what you're dealing with.