  This photo shows marijuana plants growing in the basement of an Ottawa home. (photo: Errol McGihon, QMI Agency)
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Part 2 of a 3-part series
If you've just purchased a home that you suspect or have been told was a grow-op, your first order of business should be hiring a reputable home inspector.
The inspector will visually check the home's major operating systems: heating, plumbing, electrical, basement, interior, foundation, structure, roof and attic.
Since enormous amounts of electricity are needed to grow marijuana, and grow operators often make modifications to steal power, the electrical work is likely in trouble, posing a real danger of fire hazard.
Large holes are often drilled or chiselled in the foundation to bypass the hydro meter. The hole may have been repaired improperly or simply covered over with drywall. That could lead to water problems in the basement or even permanent structural damage.
While these issues can be serious and expensive to fix, worse problems can be caused by water and chemicals used to grow pot. Long after the grow-op is gone, mould, bacteria and toxins may linger.
All houses contain some type(s) of mould. Some pose limited or no health concerns; others can be deadly. Moulds can grow on almost any surface where moisture is present – wood, paper, carpet, food, even stainless steel.
Moulds are usually not a problem indoors, unless their spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Since grow houses contain high levels of humidity, like those found in a greenhouse, they're a breeding ground for moulds, some of which can be particularly dangerous.
Airborne mould particles present a hidden danger, so air-quality testing is a must. If mould is present, testing will reveal that air in the home contains more mould spores than outside air.
Air-quality testing also can detect toxins and chemicals used in grow-ops. High-nitrogen fertilizers, for example, are used to promote plant growth, while a number of other chemicals are used to fight plant disease and control pests and insects.
If your home inspector is unable to do the air testing, you should contact an environmental consultant. There are several listed in the Yellow Pages.
If the test comes back with a high mould spore count inside the house, mould remediation is recommended, and hiring a company experienced in mould cleanup is the only way to go. Such a company has the knowledge and equipment to properly remove and destroy mould without spreading spores to other parts of the home.
Depending on the level of contamination, drywall, carpeting, cabinets and other interior decor may have to go. Removal may take several weeks to complete. In these cases, the homeowner may have to make alternative living arrangements.
After the cleanup, air quality should be tested again to ensure the mould spore count has dropped.
If the property was seized by the authorities, air-quality testing and mould remediation are required before the home can be listed for sale. Unfortunately, many grow-ops go undetected and the operators simply relocate.
The best way to avoid a future problem with mould is to control the moisture levels in the home:
• Repair leaks in the roof, walls, doors, windows, foundation, etc.
• Repair leaks from plumbing or heating systems and appliances.
• Use fans to limit humidity caused by cooking, bathing, etc., and ensure they're vented outside and not into the attic or other areas of the home.
• Ensure that air conditioning systems, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, sump pits and other places where moisture is commonly present are well maintained and repaired immediately when leaks are found.
Read part 3: How to spot an illicit drug lab
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.
