Buyer's Remorse: The Dangers of a Meth House

In 2010 a couple in Pennsylvania bought their first home. They did everything a new homebuyer should, and had the house inspected. The house passed inspection with flying colors. They were excited about the 108-year old home; it was everything they hoped for, part of the historical district, charming and large enough to accommodate them in the future when they decided to have children. Five days after closing on the home, they discovered that the home was previously used as a meth lab. Since then, the man and woman have suffered from sore throats, headaches, difficulty breathing and other symptoms that are associated with exposure to methamphetamines. Unfortunately for this Pennsylvania couple, it is not routine for housing inspectors to test for methamphetamines in the home, and it is the responsibility of the buyer's to determine whether or not the home has been used for the manufacture of drugs. Unfortunately for this couple, they were unaware that their dream-home had been on the DEA registry as a suspected meth lab and had no reason to believe, initially, that anything was wrong with their soon-to-be home.

With the use of methamphetamines rising dramatically, and the financial incentive for the production of the drug, it's no wonder that the amount of meth labs in our country is growing. Methamphetamines cost approximately $100 per ounce to make, while the street value of an ounce of methamphetamines is around $800, thus creating even more financial incentive for dealers and users to make their own meth. With ingredients that can be purchased at pharmacies and hardware stores, the vast amount of information on the web, more and more users are deciding to try their hand in the meth market, and this is creating not only a huge problem for drug use in America, but for the real estate market as well. Meth houses aren't confined to just the grittier parts of town either; they can be found in all areas, including the "nicer" parts of town.

Houses that are used in the production of methamphetamines are a hazard to the health of the occupants, and simply repairing a house exposed to these drugs can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000 depending on the extent of the damage caused by the production of the drug. The removal of meth from a home is a difficult process, as the chemicals used in the production of meth saturate deep into the walls, carpets, ceilings and are often found in the plumbing system from being poured down drains. These chemicals pose a serious health risks to inhabitants of the home. Many of the chemicals used in the production of meth are known carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). Other symptoms including headaches, fatigue, sore throats and difficulty breathing are common in individuals exposed to the chemicals found in a former meth house.

It's important for potential homeowners to be aware and able to spot the indicators that a home may have been used to make methamphetamines in. Most home inspectors do not test for methamphetamines, so do not rely on the inspector to alert you of any potential methamphetamine problems. Some of the indicators are:

The Smell of Ammonia
When you step into a home you're considering purchasing, take a deep breath. If you smell ammonia, this could be a sign that the home was used to make meth. This smell is often described as the smell of strong cat urine. If you smell anything that smells strongly of chemicals (especially acetone and paint thinners) this could be a sign of a meth house.

The Windows
If you notice that the windows appear to have been blacked out, or the edges appear frosted (but without cold temperatures, moisture or condensation) this may be a sign the home was used to make meth in.

Physical Symptoms
If you step into a home and your eyes begin to water, itch and burn, or your mouth tastes metallic, this may be a sign of a former meth lab.

The Yard
If you're viewing a home in the summer or fall months when the grass is visible, look for areas where grass and vegetation may appear completely dead. These areas, in a meth home, are caused by dumping chemicals into the lawn, and these areas are very distinct from the living vegetation around them.

The Counter Tops
Keep a close eye on the counter tops of the house and look for any signs of burns that could have been caused by fires, or chemicals. These may also be present on the floors and carpets as well.

Discoloration
It is common for the walls, ceilings, cabinets, counter tops and carpets to become discolored when the home is used as a meth lab. This discoloration is usually red or brown.

The Toilet & Tub
Be sure to look in the toilet and the bathtub for any red rings and stains. These stains will look different than iron or rust and are caused by phosphorus. These are often the result of pouring chemicals down the drains.

Debris
If the home you're viewing has not been entirely cleaned out, look for any kind of debris that may indicate drug production. This can include large amounts of household chemicals, blister packs and boxes from cold medications, and even dismantled items, such as electronics. Methamphetamine users often become obsessive and will take things apart down to the smallest piece. Other debris you may find include pain thinner packagers, acetone containers, old coffee filters with red to reddish-brown stains, batteries, matches and diet pills. Be particularly observant of propane bottles and fire extinguishers; if there's a blue substance around the connector, this may be a sign that anhydrous ammonia has been stored in the container.

Other Oddities
Meth labs are often hidden behind false walls and in hidden rooms. Pay special attention to rooms that seem smaller than they should. Other oddities that should be watched for include exhaust fans where they might seem to serve no real purpose. Fire detectors may be absent or taped off.

What to do if you suspect the home was a meth lab
If you suspect the home that you may be purchasing was used as a meth lab, voice these concerns to your home inspector, or to the health department. These people should be able to point you in the direction of where to go to find someone able to perform tests on the house to determine whether or not methamphetamine was produced in the home. This testing may cost you money out of pocket, however, when it comes to you and your family's health and safety this fee is well worth it. In addition, this fee is significantly less than the amount it would cost you later down the road to clean up a meth house, should you discover the home was indeed used as a lab.

Resources:

Real Estate Intelligence Network: Meth House Nightmare

Inspectors Beware: The Dangers of Meth Labs

Meth Lab Cleanup

Uh Oh: Did You Just Buy a Meth House?

Couple's First Home is a Meth House

Meth Rehab, Drug Rehab, Meth Addiction: Statistics