Hi friends, as I rode through my neighborhood the other day I noticed a home boarded up for ‘criminal drug lab’ issues. I’m sad to find it so close to my home. I’m also wondering, as a contractor, if there is much demand for cleanup of these sites, and how to get the required ‘hazwoper’ 40 hour training in the most economical way. Do you have any experience meeting these requirements? -Will
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
You don't have to sacrifice historical elements of a house in the name of energy efficiency.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
Contact your local city or county building dept and ask them what's involved. There may not be any contamination, but rather the house was seized as part of the drug bust. Then you need to work through the ownership issues.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Will,
Do a little checking. Some states have a program run by the National Guard called " CDO" or Counter Drug Operations. They provide people with intel or language training to local agencies.
At least three have what are called "Clean and Seal" teams. The are trained to clean and seal up any such houses the DA requests. They do it for free too. Well, not really. The guys get paid but not by the city.
P.A has them in two big cities at least.
if it was a meth lab the whole place could be "infected" ...
have heard those chemicals can leach into everything .... in which case it's better off torn down.
Jeff
Buck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
There are only a few companies in the entire United States that have all of the hazmat certifications that are needed to clean up a Meth Lab site (per the local sheriff here in NC). And the cost to the local law enforcement -- just to "seal" the site -- is big.
But the cost to the homeowner can be HUGE. As mentioned in another reply, it can sometimes be more economical to tear the place down. But the hazardous chemicals can still be in the ground, and still be a big liability. Big enough that you'll want to default on the taxes and abandon the property. But be aware that the local government won't want it either.
If you already have such a property, you have my condolences. If you are thinking of aquiring one, be sure to do LOTS of homework first.
And if you think that you want to qualify to do the cleanup, please come back and let us all know just how much is involved.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.