  This Edmonton home was condemned after police found a marijuana grow-op inside. (photo: Cary Castagna, QMI Agency)
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Part 1 of a 3-part series
Do you know how to spot a grow-op in your neighbourhood? Here are some signs to look out for:
The house appears to be vacant and the yard poorly kept, with flyers building up at the front door
Occupant don't appear to keep regular work hours and avoid making any contact with neighbours
Garage doors are kept closed at all times except when the occupants come and go in their cars
Visitors come and go at all hours
Toys are often outside, but no children are ever seen at the home
Theres no garbage on garbage day, or there's no noticeable activity in the home but lots of garbage
Extra security, such as large fences or guard dogs
Many of the windows have dark curtains that can be seen moving as though blown by the wind (actually a fan) even when the windows are closed
Rooms or outbuildings seem to be illuminated 24 hours a day
A lack of frost or snow on roofs when other houses have frost and snow
The appearance of new roof vents, sometimes installed very low or in unusual places on the roof
A strange smell, similar to skunk, coming from the home
A continuous electrical hum, numerous fans and running water
Unusual wiring to the exterior of the home and/or a hydro meter that spins faster than normal rate; also, signs of digging near the hydro meter.
Localized power surges or brown-outs, with lights dimming or appliances slowing due to lack of power.
Large quantities of growing equipment and supplies brought into the home or outbuildings with no flowers or gardens visible.
Even if the authorities can't shut down a suspected grow-op, it's not likely the operators will be in business long, at least at the same location. The average duration is normally 12 to 18 months.
If the culprits aren't caught and simply move on, the house may then be occupied by an unsuspecting new tenant or owner.
Damage to the home varies with the size and type of operation and whether or not any structural changes were made, but it can range from minor to so serious that the house should be demolished.
Here are some signs the property may have once been a grow-op:
Some of the windows have been covered over with paint or other materials
A musty smell and humid feeling to the air inside the house and/or basement
Minimal landscaping has been done to the property
Evidence that holes in floors, walls and ceilings (used for ventilation) have been covered up with fresh paint or drywall patches
Water stains at the bottom of drywall
Mould on floors, walls or ceilings
Burn marks on the floors
Painted or unpainted concrete floors in the basement with circular marks
Patterns of screw or nail holes on walls and ceilings or floor joists in the basement, used to hang lights
Nail or tape marks around windows or walls
Electrical and plumbing systems that appear to have been modified or tampered with
Condensation or discolouring of the roof
The real estate profession has taken steps to ensure their members are trained to identify a grow-op. Agents do their best to determine whether or not a home was used as a grow-op; however, unless the seller has disclosed this information on the Seller's Property Information Sheet (SPIS), or the house has appeared on a published list of known grow-ops, this is not always possible.
For those looking to buy or sell their home privately, your best bet is to hire a qualified professional home inspector to do a complete inspection of the property. Do your research and don't hire someone merely because they quote the lowest price or because they are a relative or a friend of a friend. Hire them because they come well recommended, have the proper tools and equipment and credentials of the profession.
Read part 2: What to do if you buy a house that was a grow-op
Rob Parker is a registered home inspector with the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors and a certified home inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors.
