Meth Labs

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Permalink Reply by Sean Lintow Sr on July 23, 2012 at 6:08pm

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 July 23, 2012 at 10:11pm

More in this post.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Baldridge on July 26, 2012 at 8:06am

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 July 26, 2012 at 7:39pm

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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