Mortgage and credit problems have brought about home foreclosures which, in a number of cases, have devastated whole neighborhoods. All too often abandoned homes have been taken over by vagrants, drug dealers or turned into meth labs.
If you’re planning to buy a home that’s gone through foreclosure, it’s an absolute must that you have it inspected to become aware of potential problems, including physical and environmental dangers. A home inspection can determine if a home has been used as a meth house. A home that has been used as a meth lab is one you may not want to purchase because of the dangers it poses to the health of you and your family. It isn’t worth the risk and trouble for you.
It’s hard to spot a meth house without careful examination. However, there are some outward signs that indicate a methamphetamine lab has been in a home. For example, if you’re living in a former meth house, have you and your children begun experiencing unusual illnesses, such as migraines, kidney problems, or make frequent visits to the doctor? You may be having reactions to chemicals used for making meth.
A thorough home inspection is necessary to determine if a home was a meth lab. Signs will include:
* Yellow or red stain marks on countertops, carpets, or linoleum
* Iodine stain marks on walls
* Blocked out windows
* Burns in countertops, on rugs or on the floors
* Discarded cylinders
* Empty solvent jars or mason jars
* Corroded gas cannisters
* Blister packs of ephedrine
* Evidence of anhydrous ammonia or hydrochloric acid
* Plastic tubing
* Rock salt or rock salt containers
* Hydrogen peroxide bottles
* Lithium batteries
* Coffee filters with red stains
* Unusual smells, such as a strong cat urine smell, ammonia, and vinegar.
Furthermore, if you’re concerned you may be living in a former meth house now, or if you suspect there’s one down the block, here are a few more indicators. Landlords and neighbors should be on the lookout if windows are blacked out and there is a lot of traffic in and out at all hours. Watch for an excessive number of Coleman fuel or HEET containers. Take note if payments are made only in cash.
If a home inspector has physical reactions to chemicals from a former meth lab, such as dry throat and dizziness, he may want to have ashes or other residue sent to a lab for further analysis.
Another key reason to have a home inspected before you buy is to determine the extent of vandalism. For example, it may not be obvious at first that copper pipe has been ripped out and stolen.
There is no doubt that you can buy a home that has been foreclosed any very good price. But sometimes what seems to be good may be hiding something very dangerous. This article was written to give you some heads up before you go and buy a home that has been foreclosed.
We all want to save money and get a good deal. Make sure you re getting a safe environment for you and your family.
The bottom line: If you’re contemplating the purchase of a foreclosed home, have a professional home inspection done. You won’t regret it.
Author Resource:
You’ve carefully selected the home you’re buying. Make sure you’re as careful when selecting your home inspector. Author David Haigh is a professional home inspector in NJ. Click now to view a free sample report of a New Jersey home inspection (http://mynjhomeinspector.com ).
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