Thursday, May 3, 2012

Real Estate and Grow Op Damage

By Oswaldo Taggart


Growing marijuana hydroponically may require renovations to a property. These renos might cause damage to the home. Repairs to improper renovations could cost thousands of dollars. Sometimes the house has to be torn down as a result of grow ops.

Grow ops that utilize a hydroponic system consume vast quantities of water. As a result the plumbing system of the house is usually modified. One negative side effect is excessive moisture. This requires ventilation systems to alleviate mould on the crop. Venting pipes need to be routed through walls and ceilings, resulting in holes in the structure.

Water and moisture is the primary enemy of all man-made structures, and excessive grow op moisture is therefore a challenge. It creates mould on wall surfaces and in wall cavities. The mould and other grow op requirements, like pesticides, result in the presence of noxious compounds. These things often remain in the structure long after the grow op is gone. This can create health problems for people with mould sensitivity. Sufferers of asthma and upper respiratory disease are particularly affected.

The lights required for grow ops consume huge amounts of electricity. The wiring involved is often done in a shoddy and unprofessional manner. It is seldom done with a permit. Growers often steal power by tapping into the supply before the meter. This, of course, is a very dangerous practice, especially if it is never discovered or reversed.

Electrical modifications like this can actually kill an unsuspecting person who inadvertently encounters a grow op. They are a definite fire hazard. Excessive power consumption on a system not designed for it can also cause future fire hazards.

Insurance companies are well aware of this. It has been reported by the industry that average grow op damage exceeds $40,000. The industry reports that average grow op related claims top $40,000. They attempt to shift the grow op risk onto the homeowner as a result. They have responded by increasingly shifting the risk to the homeowner. This means it is critical for the homeowner to ensure that grow ops don't take place on their property. Sometimes insurance can't be obtained, and the landlord must self insure by way of repeated inspections or by retaining a professional property manager. Some insurance companies will deny claims if the owner has not exercised caution.

If the police are involved the problem can get worse. They generally require that utilities be disconnected which causes real problems in freezing weather. Before the problem can be fixed the owner will need to get building permits. To prove that mould isn't a problem the owner will need an environmental assessment. Non-grow op renos done earlier in the structure's life will need to be removed if there were no permits for them. Grow ops, clearly, are a very expensive proposition for a property investor. It's worth the effort to avoid them.




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