Selecting a Water Heater
I am looking at updating the heating and water heating systems in a rental home I recently…See More
Meth Labs
My friend does home inspections for Section 8 Housing. In a short 30 second conversation in passing, he opened my eyes to a potential problem I have been faced with before, but was uneducated about the subject, and now I want to learn.
Meth Labs, where do I find information on the signs of potential meth labs. My friend was saying something about bottles of muratic acid, bleach, and Lime. I've seen them all in fairly large quantities on different projects, but realize their legal purpose also.
Im a believer that I HELP EVERYONE WITH OUT REGARD, Black, White, Red, Grey, Green, Orange, smokers, non smokers, alcholics, and addicts. I am here to help, and I WILL!! I also realize, if I play Law Enforcement here, I lose client trust for future projects. Right or Wrong... If I cant get into the clients house, I cant help.
But I gotta look out for myself, and my crew. If anyone can help with a location for imformation, I'd appreciate it.
Remember I didnt ask to HASH OUT RIGHT AND WRONG, only for information on the subject. I'm set in my beliefs, but I do think its a subject WE ARE ALL FACED WITH!
Thanks In advance
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sean Lintow Sr on -
Run far & fast - this can be worse than asbestos for not only you, your crews, but also neighbors
Signs to watch out for:
- Yellow discoloration on walls, drains, sinks and showers (could be also from nicotine)
- Blue discoloration on valves of propane tanks and fire extinguishers
- Fire detectors that are removed or taped off
- Experiencing physical symptoms while inside the house, such as burning in your eyes or throat, itching, a metallic taste in your mouth and breathing problems
- Unusual strong odors that smell like materials from a garage, such as solvent and paint thinner, cat urine, vanilla, or ammonia
Piece here: http://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/forum/topics/former-meth-labs
Many states also have information - http://www.isp.state.il.us/meth/methcleanup.cfm
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Permalink Reply by Evan Mills on -
More in this post.
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Permalink Reply by Melissa Baldridge on -
Tim,
This is a super question and something Realtors must deal with as a "material fact" in disclosure and impacting a property's value.
In terms of your and your crew's safety, I defer to the answers already. We've come across properties in working with REALTORS that we believe may have been meth houses (especially investor properties), and we always notify the owner/investor. They have a responsibility to disclose and mitigate the problem.
Rather than feel like you're ratting someone out by mentioning this, I believe you're really being an advocate for the building owner and any potential tenants in that space. Those people turning a place, especially a multi-family unit, into a meth lab are a danger to themselves and the people around them, to say nothing of anyone who might live in the space subsequently. And a lot of subsidized housing has rules about criminal behavior - misbehave/run afoul of the law, and you're out.
IMHO, you're doing everyone a huge favor by reporting what you believe may be a meth lab. No losers there.
As BPI-certified professionals, we advocate for the health and safety of people in properties, and often, we're the first (last!) line of defense there.
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Permalink Reply by Tim Marlett on -
Single family, rural homes, are my clients. Mostly owner occupied. BUT I better understand the health and safety approach to the subject, Thank You.
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