In the first six months of 2019, the DEA seized 1,400 pounds of meth from meth labs across the United States. Smaller meth houses often go unnoticed and when the meth-cooking tenants leave they leave behind a very dangerous health-hazard for future tenants.
We all know that cigarette smoke leaves a yellow nicotine film on the walls and ceiling of smoker’s homes. Well, cooking up methamphetamine does the same thing, only you can’t see it. Living in a home that was once used as a meth lab can lead to severe health problems.
Understanding how to carry out a thorough meth lab cleanup is a must to bring normalcy back to the property and avoid future health complications. Let’s take a closer look at how to get that done.
How to Rehab a Meth House
Cleaning up after a meth lab is nothing like your regular spring cleaning. The chemicals that are released when cooking meth leave an invisible film on everything they come into contact with and soak into porous surfaces. The residue of meth is not bacteria, that you might wipe clean with some alcohol wipes. It’s a chemical, and so it has to be treated like a biohazard.
The Dangers of Living in a Meth House
Some of the chemicals and other ingredients involved in cooking meth include:
- Ephedrine/pseudoephedrine
- Acetone
- Anhydrous ammonia
- Hydrochloric acid (HCL):
- Iodine
- Lithium
- Lye (sodium hydroxide)
- Phosphorus
- Toluene
- Benzene
- Chloroform
- Ether
- Freon
- Energy boosters or energy drinks
- Gasoline
We probably don’t need to tell you that you don’t want to be living in the company of the residue of any of these substances. Living in an old meth house can pose several health problems including:
- Respiratory problems
- Skin and eye irritation
- Headaches and migraines
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Increased risk of cancer (especially among children)
If you suspect you might be living in a meth house it’s important to take action immediately.
Call in the Professionals
Cleaning up a meth house is not something you want to try and do without professional help. There are several environmental services, certified decontamination specialist, and crime scene clean up services like this company. Most companies can also provide meth residue kits, or you can buy them online.
What’s Involved in Rehabbing a Meth House
If your home is contaminated with meth then the process to make it hospitable involves lots of diligence. First of all the property should be vacated and the inside temperature should be raised to around 90 degrees Fahrenheit for a few days. Then the property should be aired for 3-5 days. This might involve installing fans to help circulate the air out of the house.
During this process, all unessential items should be cleared out of the house. All hard surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned and all porous surfaces such as curtains, carpets, and soft furniture should be removed.
All ventilation and plumbing systems must be thoroughly cleaned by a professional to ensure there is no residue left behind. For rehabs, calling a plumber and other local experts is part of the process.
One Final Thing
Once the property is aired and thoroughly clean it’s important to paint previously contaminated surfaces. This will lock in any potential remaining contamination so that no one can come in contact with it.
Now that you know how to rehab a meth house, you’ve probably realized that it’s a job for the professionals. If you suspect that the home you are living in might has once been used for cooking up meth then be sure to have it tested for meth residue immediately.
Be sure to take a look at the rest of our site for more useful guidance on how to stay healthy and other lifestyle tips.
