Marijuana grow-ops are not typically associated with the hazards of meth labs and the dangers they pose to future property owners or neighbours, but make no mistake about it, marijuana grow-ops can have long-lasting and detrimental effects on homes, buildings and their future occupants.
The extremely high humidity necessary for marijuana plants to thrive can result in toxic black mould.
Det. Const. Jason Marcotte of the Bellville Police Drug Unit says that these buildings are virtually destroyed, “It’s as close as you can get to a total loss.” He goes on to say that his unit has even found mould inside cement walls, “that’s going through vapour barrier, that’s going through insulation, and right into the cinder block.” The mould can get in behind drywall and continue to spread long after growing operations have ceased. This mould can lead to extremely serious respiratory and other health problems.
Growers will also customize a house at their own convenience, cutting holes and creating ventilation through other methods all over the house, easing the spread of the mould. Growers typically don’t mind the mould as they don’t spend a lot of time actually inside of the grow house, but when they’re done, “they’ll slap a coat of paint on and put the house up for sale,” says Marcotte.
Humidity can also lessen the structural integrity of wood within the house, leading to the rotting of important load-bearing components, and residues from chemicals such as pesticides and fungicides used in the grow-ops can settle into soft surfaces like carpets or other furniture. Serious electrical or wiring modifications may have been made within the house with little regard for regulations or fire-safety.
Even after the police make arrests, clear the building of any paraphernalia and unsavory characters, the house will still have issues that can affect property values.
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