Monthly Archives: May 2017

Warning Signs That You Might Become a Hoarder

There is a big difference between your home getting a little messy to becoming an obsessive-compulsive hoarder. The latter is a clinically diagnosed anxiety disorder that requires behavior modification treatment in order to overcome. This is not a disorder that happens overnight but instead is a slow build towards a crisis. Along the way, there are warning signs that you should be aware of not only in your own behavior but that of a loved one. Here’s what to look out for:


When a Room Becomes Unusable

At its core, hoarding means that you are not throwing anything away. All of that stuff has to go somewhere. Those piles of rubbish could start appearing in a spare room that isn’t being used. This is where all kinds of clutter starts piling up to the point where you can barely open the door to get in the room. Also, be in the lookout for tables, chairs, counter spaces, cabinets and any other surface piled high with clutter.

When There’s No Organization

Many people with a cluttered office are proud to proclaim that they have a “filing system” that only they understand. There might actually be some truth to that. However, with a hoarder, there is no organization. The clutter just appears to be tossed around the room and stacked precariously.

When the Clutter Has No Value

Everyone has something they collect to a small degree. It could be books, keepsakes or even family photos. Those all have a certain amount of value attached to them even if it’s a personal value. The hoarder collects things that have no value like junk mail, newspapers and magazines. They could go on shopping binges buying up clothing they have no intention of using. Years later, that clothing might not even fit anymore but they still won’t let it go.

When They Have a Lot of Pets

All too often cats and dogs become victims of a hoarder. There is nothing wrong with having multiple pets provided you clean up after them. In a hoarder household, those pets are given free license to create messes throughout the house that are never cleaned up. Additionally, those pets aren’t spayed or neutered. That means they breed with abandon.

If you recognize any of these warning signs, then you should seek out help. There are two levels to help for hoarder. The first is through therapy to help change the behavior and get at the root cause. The second help is with the actual cleanup. This is something that a company like Junk King Dallas can be a huge benefit. The crews working for Junk King Dallas have a lot of experience with hoarder cleanups and understand the delicate nature of helping these individuals.

Recognizing that you or someone you love has a problem with hoarding is the first step. Thankfully, help isn’t far away.

Backyard Safety Tips For Summer Fun

Backyards and summer go together like Fourth of July and fireworks. And just like making it safe with those fireworks, you also have to make it safe in the backyard. A lot of things could have changed in the last several months. Before the kids are officially out of school and spending their afternoons in the backyard, take the time to go through that area to make sure it’s ready for summer fun. Here are some good safety tips to put in the practice:


Proper Grill Placement

Your barbecue grill could be working overtime this summer and there’s nothing wrong with that. You just want to make sure it is placed at least 10 feet from anything combustible. That includes deck rails or the side of your house. If you’re working with charcoal, then be sure to carefully extinguish that fire after every use. It only takes one floating ember to start a fire.

Get Rid Of Standing Water

There are a lot of places around your backyard that could hold standing water. Buckets, empty flowerpots, tire swings and even birdbaths could provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests. Clearing away standing water is something you have to watch out for throughout the summer.

Check Your Deck For Rot

You should check your deck every spring. The most vulnerable spots for your deck are where it is attached to the house. Don’t just look on top but also underneath. If it has been at least three years since you last waterproofed your deck, then you might want to add a coat of sealant this summer. If you can poke a screwdriver into softwood, then you’re looking at some rot. It might mean replacing the entire deck.

Inspect the Swing Set

A backyard swing set is a great fun zone for the kids but it can also become a hazard if that swing set is starting to break down. Even the best of swing sets can start to rust after being exposed to harsh weather for several years. Be on the lookout for sharp screws, bolts or nails that might have worked their way out. If it seems that your swing set is just too rickety, then this also might have to be replaced.

Swing set removal is not a challenging job if you turn it over to a company like Junk King Dallas. These are the junk removal pros that will send a pair of movers and a big truck over to your home to take care of this task. Don’t worry about bringing down that old swing set. That’s what the crew from junk King will take care of.

The best way to have fun your backyard this summer is to make sure everyone is safe.