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Home Inspections Starting at $400
Rival Home Inspections
Home Inspections Starting at $400
Serving Toronto, Durham, York, Peel, Halton, Simcoe, Brant, Dufferin, Kawartha Lakes, Hamilton, Waterloo, Peterborough and all the GTA Regions
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As a home inspector, we are frequently during an inspection if a house may have been a grow op and it is an issue to be taken very seriously. According to some reports, 1 in every 140 houses in Canada has been used in a marijuana grow operation of some sort.
What type of Houses do Grow Ops Operate in?
First, it is rare for a grow op to be in a condo or townhouse complex. Grow operators want as much privacy as possible so they typically look for houses that have some degree of privacy from the street and neighbours. They also often have an attached garage which allows them to move equipment, plants, people, and supplies from vehicles behind closed doors. Because grow ops can be destructive to houses, grow operators typically rent properties which unfortunately can leave an unwitting landlord with a big problem to fix when the grow operators move on.
What are the clues a house is a grow op?
We already discussed a lot of secretive action by the operators. They may come and go at unusual hours. Garbage is erratic or non-existent and does not correlate with normal domestic resident cycles. Windows are often blacked out to conceal lights on all possible hours. High levels of condensation often will gather on the windows. The mail slot on the home may be closed shut. Fences may be improved and dogs or signs indicating guard dogs may be added.
Never approach a home that you are suspicious may be a grow operation. These homes are often run by organized criminals who are very protective of their crops and people who may try and steal the crops from them. If you are suspicious of a possible grow operation, always contact the authorities to handle the situation.
What are the implications of a former Grow Op house?
Just because a house was used for a grow op does not mean that the house has any lasting damage. However, all too often, houses can be left with major problems.
Structural supports can be cut by grow operators who are trying to run ventilation, plumbing, and wires. Often the quick fix repairs that may be done will conceal these missing supports.
Electrical systems can be significantly compromised. Electricity is often stolen by tapping the wires before the meter. Then, household wiring will be tapped and relocated as needed for the grow op. Once covered up, a home owner may not know the wiring has been mangled.
A large amount of water is needed to grow these plants. Water lines are spliced, added, and relocated to bring water to each grow room. Also, there are often a large number of water spills which can damage structures.
Chimneys, furnace exhaust lines, and roof vents may be repurposed to exhaust hot, humid air from the home. Hidden damage to these systems may allow toxic fumes to re-enter a former grow op home and be a safety hazard.
Humidity and moisture from the grow operation can cause large amounts of mold growth in the home. Mold can cause problems with structure if it is severe enough and can also be a health hazard, particularly for people with compromised immune systems (including young children).