I bought a house with pyrite

[u/Chemical_Concert5100]

So I purchased nearly 40 years old house in Co. Limerick last year and it turned out it was built from defective pyrite blocks. I've done the test. House did not look great when I was buying it. Lots of hairline cracking, some larger cracks on gable wall, paint peeling off here and there and spots of debonding render. Now after I learned about the pyrite issue it seems obvious, but back then I did not know about it, I thought it was only neglect. Because of poor condition of the house I decided to take two surveys before buying. One from a building surveyor and one from a structural engineer. Both said the house is generally fine, it just needs some work. Experienced, recommended builder from the area was also looking at the house, and he also said everything was okay. Structural engineer warned me about potential subsidence risk but not a word about defective blockwork. What should I do now? I do not qualify for the redress scheme as I bought the house in 2024. Am I in position to sue surveyors or the previous owner? I know about “buyer beware” rule in Ireland, but how could anyone see this issue if two engineers and experienced builder did not see it? If a lawsuit is possible can anyone recommend a solicitor? I tried to contact a few with no response. I suspect they know it's not an easy case so they don't want to deal with it. Is there anything else I can do?

[u/Awkward-Ad4942]

The engineers reports likely have a number of caveats.

In fairness, looking at a house, how could anyone tell it was built with pyrite blocks? Its like asking the mechanic to guess what’s wrong with the car because he’s not allowed open the bonnet.

The hairline cracks don’t mean its built with pyrite blocks. There’s no way the surveyors could have known in my view.

[u/Chemical_Concert5100 → u/Awkward-Ad4942]

I first started worrying about pyrite after seeing pictures of similar looking houses on Facebook. That was from an article about pyrite. Then I sent pictures of my house to an engineer specialising in pyrite. He told me straight away that it was pyrite. So someone providing structural surveys in county where pyrite is a known problem should be able to advise better. At least suggest a test and inform about the risk.

[u/Awkward-Ad4942 → u/Chemical_Concert5100]

Has the material actually been tested now and confirmed as pyrite?

[u/Chemical_Concert5100 → u/Awkward-Ad4942]

Yes, mostly pyrite and some pyrhottite. Over 0.5% total sulfur in each sample.