A term commonly
associated with residential property used
for illegal growing of marijuana.
A grow house is a home that has been
converted into a marijuana operation. Larger
homes in quiet areas with unfinished
basements are preferred, although grow
houses can exist in any neighborhood.
What are the signs and the risks?
There must be ideal greenhouse conditions
for these operations. The electrical system
is usually altered to power the hydroponic
equipment. Operators may also steal
electricity by tapping into the electrical
service before it enters the electrical
meter, and bring power into the house
through a hole in the foundation. Additional
circuitry is usually added inside the home
to bring electrical power to the equipment,
and operators rarely make sure that these
alterations meet electrical codes. While
these modifications can create a hazardous
electrical situation, improvements can be
made to ensure the electrical system remains
safe for a potential homebuyer.
Holes cut in the foundation wall can be
repaired as well, but if not done properly,
the potential for water leakage remains.
Plants
require light, ideal temperature, water and
nutrients in order to thrive, and with the
heat generated by hydroponic lighting, a
significant amount of humidity is produced
in the process. While humans, animals, and
plants need humidity, too much can cause
mould, mildew, and rot to form in the home,
especially in or on exterior surfaces.
Often, modifications are made to the home to
help vent the excess humidity to the
outdoors and bring in fresh air from the
outside. Fireplaces and chimneys can be used
as channels for removing excess moisture.
Structural members such as floor and ceiling
joists are sometimes cut to accommodate
additional ductwork. The structural
integrity of the home may be compromised by
the combination of cut framing members and
high humidity. Signs of high humidity are
usually most visible in attic spaces, where
the moist air is often dumped. Darkening of
attic surfaces is generally a good indicator
that mould and mildew are present.
Mould comes in many colors and may be
visible and distinct. It can also be very
subtle. Surface mould may be the tip of an
iceberg, with considerable mould concealed
behind the wall. In other cases, the mould
is only on the surface. The toughest
situation occurs when the mould is not
visible. Home inspectors pay particular
attention to intersecting walls and ceilings
where air circulation is poor or areas that
have been chronically damp or wet. The good
news is that many grow houses are in
operation for less than a year, which may
not be enough time for mould to thrive and
cause serious structural damage.
Other Clues
Look for
painted concrete floors in the basement, and
walls that have been painted white to
reflect light. Screw holes and patches are
often visible in the foundation wall where
equipment was mounted above the floor level
to avoid any water on the floor. Multiple
splices in the plumbing system may be
present to nourish the crop. Chemical odors,
including fertilizers and pesticides are
also used, which can create health hazards
through poor indoor air quality.
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