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May 2019
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The Warning Signs Of A Marijuana Grow-Op6/15/2017 I have been selling Real Estate in Toronto for a number of years and have on occasion shown a property that - once inside - I suspected as being a marijuana grow house operation. To me all the tell-tail signs were there and I, of course, pointed these out to my clients. Grow-op homes are marketed and sold, but with them come certain challenges like obtaining insurance, structural problems and maybe even an old buyer of the marijuana showing up one night for some product, as this person has not even realized the property has been sold and the former dealer long gone. It ends up that you are answering the door in the middle of the night, trying to explain to someone in need that you do not have drugs to sell. It can be a very frightening experience. The Warning Signs Of A Marijuana Grow-Op The police estimated there are roughly 50,000 grow houses scattered throughout Canada. With a statistic like that it stands to reason one will be in your neighbourhood. Keep an eye for a house that stands apart in that it seems unkempt, garbage, recycling or green bins only occasionally put out (if at all), blinds down and you rarely see or even know who lives there. Secrecy is a dealer's watchword. Also, look for multiple take-out food deliveries to the same address, as those involved in this type of activity are not very likely to cook. Marijuana plants require certain 4x4 grow tents conditions in order to survive and thrive. They are: warmth - they love it hot; plenty of water; and lots of bright light. In order to accommodate this criteria, modifications to the home are made and as a result damage to the structure inevitably follows. Usually the electrical box has been tampered with so that large amounts of free electricity can flow into the house. Needless to say an electrician was probably not involved so there will potentially be code violations and safety concerns. Because the plants love the heat a lot of humidity is generated. Too much of this and mould begins, as well as structural rot. Growers realize this fact and often cut through floors, ceiling joists and even walls to vent out excess moisture. But by doing so they weaken the very floor you may be standing on. Always check the attic before a purchase to see if there is any moisture staining or water damage. Extreme mould is highly visible to the naked eye and a definite health concern.
As basements are often used to house the plants things to watch for is if the floor and ceiling have been recently painted - and if so, why? (painting them a light colour reflects the light which the plants need) As well, as a potential buyer you should look to see if there are holes punched in the walls either for extra electrical or venting of moisture. And, looking up at the exposed joists, probe for mould, rot and staining. Also, let's not forget to inspect the water supply as all plants need it to survive. Check the plumbing to see if any unusual modifications have been made to the system.
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