FORMER GROW OPS SHOULD BE INSPECTED

If you've just purchased a home that you suspect or have been told
was a grow-op, you should hire a reputable home inspector who has
experience dealing with grow-ops and can easily identify problems and
suggest repairs.

The inspector will visually check the home's major operating systems:
heating, plumbing, electrical, basement, interior, foundation,
structure and roof and attic.

Since enormous amounts of electricity are needed to grow marijuana,
and grow operators use unlicensed associates to bypass hydro meters
to steal power, there is a real danger of a fire hazard. If the
grow-op escaped detection by the authorities, chances are the
electrical work is in trouble.

Large holes are often drilled or chiselled in the foundation to
bypass the hydro meter. The hole may have been repaired improperly or
simply covered over with drywall. That could lead to water problems
in the basement or even permanent structural damage.

While these issues can be serious and expensive to fix, worse
problems can be caused by water and chemicals used to grow pot. Long
after the grow-op is gone, mould, bacteria and toxins may linger.

All houses contain some type(s) of mould. Some pose limited or no
health concerns; others can be deadly. Moulds can grow on almost any
surface -- wood, paper, carpet, food, even stainless steel -- where
moisture is present.

Moulds are usually not a problem indoors, unless their spores land on
a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Since grow houses contain high
levels of humidity, like those found in a greenhouse, they're a
breeding ground for moulds, some of which can be particularly
dangerous to some people.

Airborne mould particles present a hidden danger, so air-quality
testing is a must. Another problem lies in the fact there are no
standardized methods of measuring the magnitude of mould exposure or
what is considered an acceptable level. If mould is present,
air-quality testing will reveal that air in the home contains more
mould spores than outside air.

Air-quality testing also can detect toxins and chemicals used in
grow-ops. High-nitrogen fertilizers, for example, are used to promote
plant growth, while a number of other chemicals are used to fight
plant disease and control pests and insects.

If your home inspector is unable to do the air testing, you should
contact an environmental consultant. There are several listed in the
Yellow Pages.

If the test comes back with a high mould spore count inside the
house, mould remediation is recommended and hiring a company
experienced in mould cleanup is the only way to go. Such a company
has the knowledge and equipment to properly remove and destroy mould
without spreading spores to other parts of the home.

Depending on the level of contamination, drywall, carpeting, cabinets
and other interior decor may have to go. Removal may take several
weeks to complete. In these cases, the homeowner may have to make
alternative living arrangements.

After the cleanup, air quality test should be tested again to ensure
the mould spore count has dropped.

If the property was seized by the authorities, air-quality testing
and mould remediation are required before the home can be listed for
sale. Unfortunately, many grow-ops go undetected and the operators
simply relocate.

The best way to avoid a future problem with mould is to control the
moisture levels in the home:

- - Repair leaks in the roof, walls, doors, windows, foundation, etc.

- - Repair leaks from plumbing or heating systems and appliances.

- - Use fans to limit humidity caused by cooking, bathing, etc., and
ensure they're vented outside and not into the attic or other areas
of the home.

- - Ensure that air conditioning systems, humidifiers, dehumidifiers,
sump pits and other places where moisture is commonly present, are
well maintained and repaired immediately when leaks are found.