Methamphetamine is a public health crisis that unfortunately affects all of our communities. Meth manufacturers often get creative to make their products, using houses, apartments, sheds and sometimes even motor vehicles as a makeshift lab. Owners of rental properties face difficult challenges when it turns out that one of their units or properties has been the site of meth use or even meth cooking.
Cleaning up a rental property that has been the site of meth use or production is a complex and potentially hazardous process. Due to the serious health risks associated with meth exposure, it’s critical that the cleanup process is handled by trained professionals. The following guide will help you understand everything you need to know if your rental has been contaminated by methamphetamine.
Health and Safety Risks Associated with Exposure to Meth Labs
Despite what the word “laboratory” may conjure up in your mind, meth labs typically aren’t sophisticated environments. Instead, they are spaces that are used as ad-hoc production facilities for the manufacture of methamphetamine and lack many of the safety guardrails associated with a high-tech lab.
To make matters worse, the ingredients used to make meth are pretty easy to access because they are mostly household items. Pharmacies are trying to prevent meth cooks from being able to access pseudoephedrine, which is one of the key ingredients, but it is still widely used in meth production.
Other toxic but accessible ingredients include antifreeze, iodine, and kitty litter. These items are highly flammable, especially when combined. They also produce hazardous odors and can damage internal organs, even after the lab has been destroyed or removed. Common ailments from exposure to a meth lab include:
- Irritated mucous membranes around the skin, eyes and respiratory tract
- Nausea
- Burning skin or eyes
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness and chest pain
- Hallucinations and/or paranoia
- Convulsions
- Insomnia
- Memory loss
- Aggressive behavior
In extreme situations, exposure to the chemicals used in meth labs can also cause comas, brain damage, permanent psychological disorders, liver damage, and fatal disorders of the kidneys, lungs, and other organs.
Signs Your Rental Property Was Used for Meth Production
You will most likely notice one or more of the following warning signs if your rental property was used for meth production:
- Chemical Odors – A strong persistent chemical smell that’s different from typical household odors
- Stains – Yellow or red stains on walls, which are often byproducts of iodine used in meth production
- Unusual Equipment – The presence of items commonly used in the production of meth, such as rubber hosing, duct tape, glass containers, pressurized cylinders, propane tanks and respiratory masks
- Chemical Containers – Large quantities of household chemicals, over-the-counter medications (especially cold medicines, decongestants, or asthma medications), and items such as acetone, iodine or hydrogen peroxide
- Suspicious Trash – Excessive amounts of chemical containers, stained coffee filters, lithium batteries or rock salt in the trash
- Property Damage – Stains on soil or concrete, or large areas of dead grass outside the building may indicate that toxic chemicals were being used inside the property
- Modified Windows – Windows covered with foil or blacked out to prevent people from seeing inside
- Neighbor Complaints – Reports from neighbors about strange odors, increased nighttime activity or excessive foot traffic
- Paraphernalia – The presence of burnt glass beakers, tubes or burnt aluminum foil
- Plumbing Issues – Stained drains or unusual residues in sinks or toilets
- Propane Tanks – Abandoned propane tanks with blue corrosion around the nozzle
If you suspect your rental property was used for meth production, it’s critical that you contact the proper local law enforcement agencies right away. Do not enter a property that you suspect has been contaminated with methamphetamines since meth residue can pose serious health risks. Instead, allow local law enforcement to take the lead. Once they have conducted professional testing and completed their investigation, you are ready to move on to the clean-up stages.
Always Hire a Professional to Clean Up Meth at Your Rental Property
While it may be tempting to attempt to clean up the property yourself in order to save money, it’s important to understand that professional specialty cleaning services are required when cleaning up meth at your rental. Cleaning up a meth lab is an extremely hazardous and complex process that requires specialized expertise, equipment and safety precautions.
The toxic chemicals and residues left behind in a meth lab create serious health risks for anyone who comes into contact with them. Proper training and protective equipment are necessary to avoid the development of respiratory issues, skin problems and other long-term health conditions caused by these hazardous materials.
In addition, professional specialty cleaning companies have the training, certifications and experience to handle hazardous materials safely and effectively. They also have specialized equipment and utilize the advanced techniques necessary to ensure all toxic chemicals are removed and your property is safe to inhabit.
Most importantly, they understand the local, state and federal regulations governing cleanup of a property used for meth production, and this will help you avoid potentially costly legal issues if you fail to comply with these regulations during the cleanup process.
Our Process for Meth Cleanup at Your Rental Property
At Just Right Cleaning & Construction, our team of specialty cleaning experts uses a methodical process to clean your rental property after meth exposure. This process adheres to industry best practices and EPA guidelines for cleaning up a property that has been used for meth, and it includes the following steps:
- Assess the Extent of Contamination – Our team will confirm whether the property was used for meth production or heavy meth use since this impacts the severity of contamination.
- Air out the Property – We’ll ventilate the property for several days before beginning the cleaning process.
- Remove Contaminated Items – Using the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), our team will dispose of absorbent materials such as carpets, drapes, clothing and furniture that may have absorbed meth residues or odors.
- Surface Cleaning – Specialized cleaning products will be used to clean all hard surfaces (walls, floors, countertops, etc.) for thorough decontamination. Any porous materials such as drywall or flooring will be replaced if they show visible signs of contamination or contain toxic odors.
- Clean HVAC System – Our team will thoroughly clean your HVAC system using a specialized process designed to remove all contamination by toxic materials associated with meth exposure. As part of this process, air filters will be replaced and air ducts will be cleaned to ensure no contaminants remain in your system.
- Inspect Plumbing System – Chemicals from meth labs are often disposed of through the house’s drains and toilets, causing plumbing systems to become corroded. Our team will inspect your plumbing and septic system for signs of damage, and we’ll make any repairs necessary to ensure it is clean and functioning properly again.
- Final Airing Out of Property – After cleaning is complete, we’ll ventilate the property again for several days to allow any remaining chemicals to dissipate.
- Testing for Residues – Our team will test for any meth residues to ensure that your property is completely clean and all safety hazards have been eliminated.
Your Trusted Partner for Meth Cleanup in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area
At JRCC Damage Restoration Experts, we provide comprehensive specialty cleaning services throughout the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area. Our team has extensive experience with biohazard cleanup jobs, including properties that have been used as meth labs. We offer 24/7 emergency response services and will arrive at your property right away to begin the cleanup process.
Our experienced technicians know how to handle and dispose of toxic materials safely, and they know what level of cleaning and disinfection is necessary after meth exposure. In addition, our team adheres to all local, state and federal regulations associated with meth cleanup, ensuring you won’t expose yourself to costly legal issues for failing to comply with these regulations. When you work with JRCC Damage Restoration Experts, you’ll have peace of mind that the meth cleanup process is handled properly, and your rental property will be safe for future tenants.
Contact us today at 844-967-4911 to schedule an appointment. JRCC Damage Restoration Experts serves customers throughout the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area.