Former Marijuana Grow-Op House Inspection in Coquitlam

Marijuana grow operations can be a disastrous event in a home – and there’s usually a good reason. A large-scale grow operation can cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to a home, and, worst of all, lingering health hazards to future occupants.

Grow-ops can be difficult to spot from the road, but inside there are often elaborate setups that destroy a home’s building materials, finishes, indoor air quality, electrical and HVAC systems, and even structural integrity – not to mention the property value and safety of the occupants.

This home inspection was done in the Burke Mountain area of Coquitlam. The first thing we notice is that the electrical meter has been tampered with:

We can see that the electrical meter and service entrance conductors have been illegally modified. This is perhaps the easiest-to-spot sign of a grow-op. The growers will bypass the electrical meter in order to hide the huge amount of power they are consuming from the hydro company. The electrical at this home had already been professionally redone, but the concrete block remained.

During an inspection, I will always check closet ceilings carefully. They may have been cut to install venting. The closet in this next photo had been heavily modified:

If we sidelight the ceiling with a flashlight, we can see the outline of the vent:

The attic above showed modifications, however no visible mold growth was found. The home had been professionally remediated, and the city had issued an occupancy permit.

Be careful when purchasing a former grow-operation; they may seem like a good deal, but it may be extremely difficult to get financing and insurance. And when it comes time to sell, you may have a hard time convincing potential buyers that there are no problems.

Call Today for your Home Inspection – 604 395-2795