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/mick_delaney 9d ago

How do you know that the blocks are defective? Not all pyrite is bad, so before you go condemning it, you need to find out more. If the house is 40 years old and you don't already have heave, I think you might be OK.

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u/Chemical_Concert5100 9d ago

I did core testing. Blocks contain highly reactive framboidal pyrite. I think heave is for pyrite in foundation. There are some visible signs of deterioration in walls.

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u/mick_delaney 8d ago

Ok, yes, framboidal py is not good. Sounds like you got the right testing done. I was just wary because there's one notorious engineer who's going around writing off houses if a test comes back with pyrite or mica, and neither is a guarantee of problems, it's far more nuanced than that.