Hoarding Cleanup Services Near Me

When Bio

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One has done previous jobs for clients who hoard, there has never been one exactly

the same. Every scenario is unique to the client. Some clients may hoard a variety of objects,

and some may focus on particular

items. Most of the time though, the objects consist of

newspapers, magazines, books, plastic bags, or household supplies. Some people also hoard

animals. “In the USA, 3500 animal hoarders are reported to the authorities every year.” Most of

these animals h

ave diseases or are found dead on the property.

When Bio-One has done previous jobs for clients who hoard, there has never been one exactly the same. Every scenario is unique to the client. Some clients may hoard a variety of objects, and some may focus on particular items. Most of the time though, the objects consist of newspapers, magazines, books, plastic bags, or household supplies. Some people also hoard animals. “In the USA, 3500 animal hoarders are reported to the authorities every year.” Most of these animals have diseases or are found dead on the property.

No matter what the person is hoarding, it can cause the house to become an obstacle course full of dangers. When items are piled to the ceiling, you run the risk of them avalanching down, there will be trip hazards, fire hazards, and infestations can follow as well. The hoard can cause structural damage to the home, and in the case of an emergency, the first responders may not be able to get to resident.

Historically, hoarding was always thought to be an underlying mental health issue. “It has been associated with a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, and schizophrenia. A third of people with autism spectrum disorder are thought to hoard particular items.” In 2018, the World Health Organization added hoarding to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), in hopes to promote research and take this disorder more seriously. It is their hope that this will lead to a more sympathetic representation of hoarding in the media and more respect for the people with live with this disorder.

At Bio-One, we understand that taking the first step to remove items from your home is not easy. We aim to take a compassionate approach, listen to your needs and wants, find important belongings, and most importantly, make your house a healthy home.

Bio-One Raleigh is owned by Karen & Rick Jacobs. We offer trauma, mold and hoarding cleanup services including biohazard, blood cleanup, suicide/homicide, feces & bodily fluid, animal waste, undiscovered death, and mold testing & remediation.

We proudly serve North Carolina’s Triangle & Triad areas including Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, Pittsboro, Holly Springs, Clayton, Carrboro, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Hillsborough, Mebane, Morrisville, Wake Forest, and Wendell; as well as the following counties; Wake County, Durham County, Cumberland County, Guilford County, Orange County, Chatham County, Harnett County, Johnston County, Nash County, Franklin County and Pill County.

Bio-One Inc. is the world's first crime scene cleaning franchise. Nationally respected and locally owned, Bio-One has earned its reputation through being trusted to handle the Mandalay Bay mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, the Pulse nightclub shooting in Florida in 2016, and consulted on the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in 2012. In 2019, Bio-One was once again included in the best and most comprehensive franchise ranking list – Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500.

People who often complain about how stressful their lives are also happen to be the ones who don’t prioritize stress management. “I’m too busy,” they’ll say. Or, “My life is too fast-paced to think about anything else.”

While a fast-paced life can be extremely challenging, it isn’t the pace of life that determines how high your stress levels are, it’s what you do every day to prevent stress from occurring.

The simple solution is to cultivate an anti-stress regimen that you enjoy and can keep up with. Here are some science-backed practices that require very little shift in your daily routine:

1. Remove yourself stressful environments — and breathe

This is especially helpful when you find yourself stuck in a stressful environment. If you’re in a group participation setting, kindly excuse yourself and step out of the room for some fresh air (preferably somewhere outdoors). Then, close your eyes and focus on your breathing.

Studies have found that the gentle rising and falling of the breath can stimulate parts of the brain responsible for creating a sense of calm tranquility. If you’re in a situation where you’re unable to step away, do your best to ignore the surrounding chaos and just focus on your breathing.

2. Spend time in nature

Spending time in nature can help relieve anxiety and improve your mood. One study found that it only takes 20 to 30 minutes of walking outside (several times a week) to alleviate daily stress.

Even on days when you already feel calm and relaxed, it’s important to take breaks and expose yourself to nature. Start practicing this today (perhaps during your lunch break) by asking a friend to step outside for a walk with you.

3. Exercise

We hear this advice often because there’s so much truth to it! Adding physical activity to your daily routine is a great way to relieve — and prevent — stress. A Harvard study also found that exercising daily may prolong your life by 10 years or more.

If you can’t fit 15 to 30 minutes of exercise into your day, make it a point to get up from your chair and walk around or do some stretches in the office.

4. Prioritize those who are important to you

It’s essential to maintain relationships with the people who are important to you — not through email or text, but through a real connection either in person or over the phone.

Science has found that building close connections can strengthen your sense of belonging, increase self-confidence and make you much happier in life.

5. Meditate

Meditation is one of the most effective ways to combat stress. Not only can daily meditation help you regulate stress, a number of studies have also found that it can prevent sickness in the long-run.

Deepak Chopra is the co-author of “The Healing Self,” founder of The Chopra Foundation and co-founder of Jiyo and The Chopra Center for Wellbeing. He also hosts the podcasts Infinite Potential and Daily Breath.

Bio-One Raleigh is owned by Karen & Rick Jacobs and offers trauma, biohazard and hoarding cleanup services. We proudly serve North Carolina’s Triangle & Triad areas including Wake County, Durham County, Cumberland County, Guilford County, Orange County, Chatham County, Harnett County, Johnston County, Nash County, Franklin County and Pill County. Other cities served include; Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Apex, Clayton, Zebulon, Knightdale, Rolesville, Fuquay-Varina, Morrisville, Hillsborough, Pittsboro, Holly Springs, Garner, Wendell, Carrboro, Franklinton.

Parent company, Bio-One Inc. is the world's first crime scene cleaning franchise. Nationally respected and locally owned, Bio-One has been trusted to handle the Mandalay Bay mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, the Pulse nightclub shooting in Florida in 2016, and consulted on the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in 2012. In 2019,

Bio-One was once again included in the best and most comprehensive franchise ranking list – Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500.

Hoarder Than It Looks: Four Types of Clutter to Get Rid of Now

KATU 2

Portland author Rick Emerson definitely does not have hoarding issues. The Portland author stopped by to share four types of clutter to clear right now.

Hoarder Than It Looks: Four Types of Clutter You Should Get Rid ofNow

1) Things You Somehow Acquired in Bulk

Let’s be clear about something: I am not a sommelier. (I don’t even really know what that word means. I assume it’s the guy who comes around and says, “would monsieur prefer white or red with his tater tots?”, but I’m not sure.)

One thing I do know: There’s a limit to how many corkscrews one man actually needs. I have five (count themfive) of these things, and I have no idea why. (Fun Fact: I don’t drink. At all.)

It’s possible that I’ve discovered some new form of alien life, and my drink-related cutlery is reproducing when I’m out weeding the garden or whatever, but that seemsunlikely.

(And this isn’t an isolated incident. At one point, I discovered that I owned three separate ice-cream scoops.)

The best and/or worst part? All of this stuff was actually just sitting on my utensil shelf, which is mounted on the kitchen wallmeaning that I saw it, like, fifty times a day. And yet, I never noticed it until last week. That’s both weird and vaguely unnerving, especially when you consider that the state allows me to drive a car.

Take a moment, try to see your house as a place you’ve never been, and there’s no telling what will turn up.

2) Things You’re Never Actually Going to Fix

See if this sounds familiar: “No, nokeep that. I’m going to fix it.”

This is a lie. This is always a lie. The only time this isn’t a lie is when your name is followed by the words “Depression-Era Grandfather”.

I have two fully-functional printers in my home office. They work. They work without any issue. And yetI had this broken (as in, useless) printer sitting in my kitchen (right underneath the corkscrews, actually) for at least a year.

Why? Because the guy across the street was selling it for five dollars, and I somehow confused myself with Thomas Edison.

Here’s an even better example: A watch I’ve been keeping so I can “work on it”:

You don’t have to be a Swiss engineer to assess the odds that I will ever, ever do more than curse at this pile of metal shards.

I can’t speak for women, but I think that for a lot of men, this is the same instinct that leads us to keep a box of stale Mallomarsor two cans of bacon-flavored kale (or whatever). The idea that someday, the stores will be gone, and my Mallomars and a broken printer will keep me alive. (Or that someone is bound to give me a soldering gun at some point, so I should keep as many broken appliances on hand as possible.)

Give yourself a deadline: If something is still here (and not repaired) within two weeksit goes away. Somebody will want itespecially if you throw in the kale.

If you or anyone you know are having difficulties with loneliness and having suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline or call 1.800.273.8255

Bio-One Raleigh is owned by Karen & Rick Jacobs and offers trauma, biohazard and hoarding cleanup services. We proudly serve North Carolina’s Triangle (Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill) & Triad areas including Wake County, Durham County, Cumberland County, Guilford County, Orange County, Chatham County, Harnett County, Johnston County, Nash County, Franklin County and Pill County.

MAY 29, 2019

BY RICH GRISET STAFF WRITER

This is an excellent article about one of our fellow franchise owners. It is an accurate glimpse into what we do and why we do it.

It’s tight quarters inside the apartment. Located on the ground level of a three-story complex in Midlothian, the space has become so overpowered by clutter that visitors have to watch where they step.

Everywhere you turn, the bric-a-brac of life has taken over, piled in mounds on the kitchen counters, sofa and floor. Lingerie, romance novels – and a few old copies of the Chesterfield Observer – are just some of the items that constitute this mess.

But where some people would simply see chaos, Marc Garber sees an opportunity to help.

“This is a very, very clean hoarding job,” says Garber, standing in the middle of the room as one of his employees raises a plastic shovel filled with someone’s personal effects.

Garber should know; as the owner of Bio-One Richmond, a local franchisee of a nationwide biohazard cleanup company that includes roughly 70 affiliates, Garber specializes in handling extreme cleaning jobs, and settings like these have become common to him. The sites of suicides, unattended deaths, crime scenes, hoarding situations – basically anything unpleasant that the average person might not want to handle themselves – are Bio-One’s purview.

Garber, a Brandermill resident, officially opened for business last October. His first job, which he handled solo, was cleaning up after a suicide on Halloween. A strong constitution for grisly scenes isn’t all the job requires.

“You need to have a big heart and a strong stomach,” Garber says. “The big heart because we’re often helping people on a very, very bad day.”

Garber’s path to owning an extreme cleaning company was a circuitous one. Though he attended law school, he ultimately decided that becoming a lawyer wasn’t for him. Instead, he went into medical sales, spending 17 years selling medical products – including those for wound care – to clinics around Virginia.

“I would go into wound clinics and be in the room with patients with some very severe open wounds,” he says. “Seeing those kinds of things in a professional context let me know that I’d be able to handle these kinds of things,” he adds, in reference to his current work.

Though he’d always wanted to own his own business, Garber had a hard time deciding what to pursue. While still working in sales, he began poking around on a website called BizBuySell.com, which specializes in buying and selling businesses. He came across Bio-One through the site.

“Everything fit,” he says. “I don’t really like being in a brick-and-mortar establishment. I like being out and about and meeting different people, doing different things every day.”

Founded in 2008, West Coast-based Bio-One deals with situations ranging from rodent droppings to sewage backups to decomposing bodies. The company’s motto, as stated on its website, is “Help first: Business second.” For Garber, one of the key selling points was how the company emphasized its customers. In the aftermath of a traumatic incident, he says other companies might wait until a customer has payment preauthorized with their homeowner’s insurance.

“We don’t ask those questions at BioOne,” Garber says. “We try to respond within 90 minutes, especially if it’s an occupied structure that other family members are living in. They need that situation taken care of.”

That’s because most people can’t – or don’t want to – uproot and move when something unexpected and traumatic takes place in their home. Property owners need to be able to rid interior spaces of blood stains and bodily fluids so they can continue being lived in. Biohazard cleanup services exist to deal with these situations, and any others that require specialized handling of contaminated materials.

While some mom-and-pop cleaning services might opt to expand into biohazard work, most, if not all, of Garber’s local competitors are franchises or branches of larger companies. That could be because biohazard cleanup and disposal involves specific training and certification, as well as compliance with governmental regulations, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standards.

In becoming a franchisee, Garber says Bio-One trained him on details of invoices and dealing with insurance, certified him to handle biohazardous materials, and taught him how to properly clean a site with the company’s own proprietary chemicals. Garber says most of his business comes from online advertisements, but he’s started getting more referrals lately from law enforcement and government agencies.

Since opening, Garber has gained a roster of about 15 employees he can call in for a job, which usually require anywhere from one to six people. So far, he says, he’s been surprised at how much of his work is dealing with hoarding – about half.

“The hoarding jobs can be some of the most interesting jobs, because it’s kind of a treasure hunt,” he says. “You never know what you’re going to find.”

For hoarding jobs, Bio-One Richmond asks residents to provide a list of personal items to look out for that may be hidden among the clutter. Recently, the company undertook a job from an elderly woman who had been hoarding for the past 25 years. Among the valuable items Garber and his crew found were multiple handguns, a wedding ring, a wedding album and other important family photos. They also found more than $3,500 in loose cash, in addition to 23 gallons worth of coins. In some hoarding situations, the floor is so stacked with belongings, Garber and his workers have to duck to get through doorways.

Once considered a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, in 2013, “hoarding disorder” was included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, as an independent diagnosis. It is partially defined as the “persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value” which is “due to a perceived need to save the items and to distress associated with discarding them.”

There are a variety of theories as to why extreme hoarding has become a phenomenon. Different studies infer genetic and nongenetic causes – including brain injuries, clinical depression and dementia – but late-onset hoarding has been linked to loss or trauma, such as the death of a spouse or loved one. And as the baby boomer generation ages, more Americans are entering the prime age for hoarding, which is three times more likely to affect adults over the age of 55. Garber says he lends a sympathetic ear to hoarders, who come from all walks of life and education levels.

But for Garber, the hardest jobs are suicides. His second suicide job, for instance, was a gun suicide that left blood spray throughout the room, penetrating the hardwood floors. To remedy the situation, Garber had to remove the floor, treat the subfloor and seal the subfloor, as well as clean the blood spray and dispose of items from the room.

“I got a nice follow up thank you email from the son of the deceased for that job,” he says. “That gives you a sense of satisfaction to know you could help someone during that time.”

Though Garber is the only person at Bio-One Richmond who’s currently trained to handle biohazardous material – substances that could harm the health of living organisms, such as blood, tissues or infectious disease cultures – recent hire Jordan Bouchér will soon undergo the necessary training.

“I love it,” says Bouchér, Bio-One Richmond’s only other full-time employee aside from Garber. Not only does he find the job incredibly interesting, but, like Garber, he feels it’s a way to help people in need.

“Every day is different, and after every job is done, it’s one of the most satisfying [feelings],” he says, before remarking on the woman whose apartment he’s currently cleaning: “She’ll be able to relax.”

That said, Bouchér has encountered some scenarios that tested his stomach. On a recent hoarding job, he discovered a mountain of used adult diapers 7 feet high and 12 feet wide. The gel inside had dried and fused the diapers together, causing Bouchér to spend hours hacking at it with a pickaxe.

One woman who recently employed Bio-One Richmond for help with her cluttered home has become such a fan that she gives their business card to friends. The woman – who wishes to remain anonymous – has a bad arthritic condition, and was having trouble taking care of her house.

“It was getting cluttered to the point that it was getting on my nerves, and it was time to take action and get things back in order,” says the woman, who is in her early 70s and lives in Henrico. Garber and his crew were prompt and professional, she says: “They are so respectful and helpful, and every positive thing you can come up with.”

But best of all, finally having a clean home again was a relief.

“I could breathe. I think my house raised a few inches,” she jokes. “It helped me reorganize my mind.”

Bio-One Raleigh is owned by Karen & Rick Jacobs and offers trauma (including undiscovered death and suicides), biohazard and hoarding cleanup services. We proudly serve North Carolina’s Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) & Triad areas, including cities in Wake County, Durham County, Cumberland County, Guilford County, Orange County, Chatham County, Harnett County, Johnston County, Nash County, Franklin County and Pill County. Contact us today.

"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me."

- Jim Valvano

Attention property owners and realtors!

We can help you more than you know. Just this week Bio-Raleigh worked with a Realtor and his clients to remediate mold found during an inspection, as well as helped a property owner junk-out and disinfect her rental property. From mold remediation, to hoarding clean-up, to gross filth, to feces, to urine, to unbelievable odors, we can help get the property ready to either sell or move-in. Renters do not always treat the home they reside in as if it were their own- this is no secret. Once a renter moves out and the owner assesses the residence for what repairs need to be made, sometimes more issues come up than expected.

Odors be gone.

For example, even though that lease states smoking cigarettes in the residence is prohibited, many tenants ignore that rule. We can help with tobacco odor removal. Pets can damage a home by defecating and urinating on the flooring and walls, which not only leaves an awful smell but a bio-hazard that is not easy to remove. We can help with feces and urine remediation and odor removal from those situations.

Hoarding and neglect of throwing away food or items that are soiled cause mold and a bad, easily distinguishable odor. We can help with hoarding removal, mold remediation, and the awful smell. How about just a deep clean/sanitation of a residence that looks like it has not been properly cleaned in a long time- our chemicals are stronger and better than anything that can be bought over the counter. We can make that residence sparkle!

Sometimes tragedy occurs in a home where the owner of the property is left to handle it- a crime or death occurs causing damage to the home from the blood and/or other bodily fluids. We can help with removing those bio-hazards and getting the residence back to a safe condition.

Long list of ways we can help.

There really is a long list of what Bio-One Raleigh can do to help others. One satisfied owner has already contacted us to work on a new property he just purchased. Once someone has seen and smelt what our chemicals and machines can do, they are convinced- Bio-One can greatly help in a timely and proficient manner while doing the project the right way. Keep us in mind when you or your clients are forced to deal with any of these issues, and more- we are only a call away.

You can reach Bio-One Raleigh owners, Karen & Rick Jacobs by calling 919.800.9435, emailing rick@biooneraleigh.com or filling out the form on our website. Estimates are free with no obligation. Give us a call today. We’d love to help you.

Hard to imagine your life without motorized transportation or the feel of slipping into a luxury model racer, right? Yet, along with all that freedom to roam comes the potential for problems – in fact, one might say, enough to EXHAUST your bank balance.

Beyond the typical repairs, there is one issue that is enough to drive you to the brink – CAR MOLD. The unsightly and indistinguishable smelly, unhealthy fungus inside your otherwise reliable driving machine. Seats, carpets – nothing is safe. A car can be the perfect petri-dish for mold growth especially when you consider it can become locked up for a long period of time during the wet weather.

Common Causes of Car Mold

Flooding – if you’ve left a window open or, once like me, had an undetected flaw in the sealing of a back hatch during monsoon season.
Detailing – if it hasn’t been dried properly after.
Air Conditioners
Cross Contamination – pets, plants, uncleaned spills and other moldy items can spread the spores.

While you may be able to disguise the musty smell in the very short-term, the problems are actually more serious. Mold is associated with some health effects including allergies, infections and toxic mold disease. Eliminating mold requires

expertise and protection.

The real solution is to let Bio-One Raleigh and our mold remediation experts work our disinfecting magic. Our mold-certified technician will come to you, determine the remediation necessary, to include chemicals designed to kill the spores, fogging, ozone machine treatment, and complete cleanup.

The result – your automobile is once again ready to be the King of the Road.

To receive a FREE quote, contact Bio-One Raleigh today. Bio-One Raleigh serves the entire Triangle and Triad areas of North Carolina.

Call us at 919.800.9435 or email Rick@BioOneRaleigh.com. While you are here, take a moment to check out our other services.

Germs have been rough this year and continue to hit during spring. Reports on the potential dangers of antibiotic-resistant superbugs mingle with discussions of the effectiveness of vaccinations and various other medical interventions. While germs may be too small to be seen with the naked eye, encountering them can have a major impact on your health, and these microscopic menaces can lie in wait on a wide array of common surfaces. How long can germs live on surfaces? And what can you do to protect yourself and your health?

HOW LONG CAN GERMS LIVE ON SURFACES?

When germs are on the prowl, no place is safe. Buses, commuter trains, rental cars, and private vehicles transport both people and virulent germs. Retail establishments, health clubs, educational institutions, restaurants, hotel rooms, and even cruise ship cabins can shelter germs. In fact, practically anything that you touch can expose you to germs, putting your health at risk. According to the National Health Service, the lifespan of a germ varies depending on the type of germ and the surface that it is on. How long can germs live on surfaces? Below we explore a few common examples.

COLD GERMS

The common cold is a frequent source of misery. A variety of viruses can trigger it, and like other viruses, cold germs tend to survive for longer periods on hard, nonporous surfaces like desktops and handrails. On suitable indoor surfaces, cold germs can linger for days, but fortunately they rarely remain infectious for more than 24 hours. Cold viruses can also thrive on the skin, but their survival time there is generally measured in mere minutes or hours.

INFLUENZA GERMS

Viruses that cause influenza can survive in the air as droplets for hours and live on hard surfaces like phones and keyboards for up to 24 hours. Infectious flu viruses clinging to a tissue can last for about 15 minutes, but viruses on the hands tend to fade quickly. Most will be only a minimal threat after five minutes. It may be a small window of time, but influenza germs don’t warn you of their presence and can make you very sick if you’re unlucky enough to encounter them when they’re infectious.

NOROVIRUS GERMS

A highly contagious virus that triggers stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea in those unfortunate enough to catch it, a norovirus can spread through small droplets that travel through the air before settling on surfaces like elevator buttons, table tops, and clothing. While they don’t thrive as successfully on porous materials like tissues and fabrics, noroviruses can survive on hard surfaces for days or weeks if the conditions are favorable.

MRSA GERMS

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, the culprits behind dangerous MRSA infections, are unfazed by many of the antibiotics that are effective in combating other staph infections. Like viruses, these germs tend to survive for shorter periods on porous surfaces than they do on nonporous ones, but they’re capable of living for days or weeks on surfaces if the circumstances are right.

PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM GERMS

Everyone has seen it. If you’ve worked in restaurants or other public venues, you may even have wielded it: the dreaded wet, grey rag. Habitually passed over tabletops between customers with a few desultorily swipes, it is an obviously inadequate weapon when it comes to eradicating germs. But what is required to disinfect a surface?

DISINFECTING BASICS

If you want to kill the germs lurking on a surface, you need to choose an appropriate disinfectant. You also have to apply it properly. That means saturating the surface with enough of the germ-fighting chemical to get the job done and ensuring that there’s enough contact time (time when the chemical is on the surface) to allow it to eliminate any germs present. Choosing a low-grade disinfectant or skimping on either saturation or contact time can compromise your germ-fighting efforts, so it’s vital that you choose your products carefully and read and follow their directions.