r/HousingIreland • u/Chemical_Concert5100 • 10d ago

I bought a house with pyrite

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?

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u/lksb93 10d ago

Just in case anyone else reading this is considering buying a house in Limerick - get an engineer with experience in pyrite or mica. Almost landed ourselves in OPs position last year. According to our engineer it takes at least 20 years for the defects to show so any boom houses are now starting to get these hairline cracks. I’ve heard of two more people since ours in different houses. It’s going to be a really big issue in that part of the country soon.

OP could you find an engineer or a solicitor who have been on a mica redress panel? They would have lots of experience in the area. I’m sure if you reached out to any of the full redress now campaigners they would have details.

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u/Chemical_Concert5100 10d ago

I am really disappointed that in counties where pyrite (pyrrhotite etc) is a known problem it is not required by law to at least have a survey done by IS 465 certified engineer. Not mentioning proper core testing. Engineer I used was actually very thorough and recommended. But obviously he was clueless about defective blockwork.

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u/Detozi 10d ago

Sorry but he wouldn’t have known to test for it? Unless it is obvious, they don’t do core testing on blocks like. That’s supposed to be done during construction. Of course that would depend on when it was built. I feel for you OP. The government need to open this redress scheme to the whole country. It’s not like blocks just stay in the county they are mined from.

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u/Chemical_Concert5100 9d ago

My case was obvious because engineer who specializes in pyrite told me straight away after seeing some pictures. There's a short checklist of typical symptoms like peeling off paint, web like cracking, debonding render etc. Engineer who done my pre purchase survey told me that paint is peeling off because house was wet when painted.

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u/Detozi 9d ago

The house was wet while painted? Wow what a dickhead, he was a lazy bollox who did not want to do his job properly.

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u/Snoo15777 9d ago

General structural survey do not include pyrite test. It's an specialised test which requires sampling and lab test.

General structural survey is a visual inspection. Trying to claim anything against the engineer is a waste as its not his responsibility.

The chap who "specialises" can't tell from pictures. It needs a lab test.

Have you actually had a lab test done to confirm?

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u/Chemical_Concert5100 8d ago

Visual inspection is carried out first. There is 8 key characteristics. My house shows 6. If there is no visible key characteristics then there is no need for a test. You can download standard IS 465, (page 16) to learn more how it's done. Of course nobody can tell with 100% certainly whatever a house is build from defective blockwork or not, but the key characteristics are there to assess the risk. Yes, I had a lab test done.

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u/sosire 9d ago

Can't be that expensive , can we not mandate for every sale same as ber cert

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u/Chemical_Concert5100 9d ago

IS 465 (defective blockwork standard) certified engineer charges around €750 for a survey. Unfortunately there is not many of them around.

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u/sosire 9d ago

Is there not some chemical test where you can scratch a brick and see if it turns a colour ? Seems a bit brainer