Pyrite has been the cause of much stress for many homeowners in the country over the last decade. But what exactly is Pyrite and what should you do if you find your property has been affected?
What is Pyrite?
Pyrite is a very common mineral that can be found in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in the form of crystals and is often referred to as ‘Fool’s Gold’ due to its gold-like colour. It is found mostly in North Leinster around North County Dublin, Louth, Meath and Offaly.
Why is Pyrite a Problem?
When it comes to construction materials, Pyrite is a big problem. Materials that contain large amounts of Pyrite will most likely expand, crack and crumble over time. This will inevitably lead to cracks in the walls and floors. Unfortunately, several quarries unknowingly provided large amounts of material that were contaminated with Pyrite. The bulk of this material was used as an infill in the construction of new homes. Most of these homes were in the East of the country in North Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow and some reports Limerick also. The first instances of Pyrite being reported were in 2007 and since then it is estimated that up to 20,000 properties have been affected.
How to know if your property has been affected.
There are several tell-tale signs of Pyrite damage to your property. These include cracks in the walls and floors, sloping of floors and worktops, jamming doors due to floor rising beneath them and bulging in walls. If any cracks are accompanied by small white needle-like white crystals that dissolve on touch then you can be pretty sure it’s a Pyrite issue. There are companies that offer formal testing for Pyrite which usually costs around €2500, after which you can be sure either way where you stand as a ‘Green Certificate’ is awarded in the event your property is Pyrite free.
What to do if you have a Pyrite problem?
If you do find that you have a Pyrite problem with your property, then your first task is contacting the original builder of the property – if they are still trading that is. Many Celtic Tiger era builders have since ceased trading, but if you are lucky and they are still active, then any reputable developer should at least be willing to talk about remedying the situation.
Your insurance policy is also important here. It is worth going over it and seeing if it covers the cost of repairing your property. Don’t rely on this, however, as unfortunately, many policies will not cover such works. If this is the case, then you should contact The Pyrite Resolution Board which was set up by the government in 2013 to assist those badly affected by Pyrite. The conditions for approval of funds however have been the source of much anger over the years, as many homeowners have found themselves in a state of limbo whereby their property is not damaged enough to receive funding, but they are prevented from selling the property due to Pyrite damage.
We hope you have found the information in this article useful and if there is anything that we here at KPM Group can help you with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today and a member of staff will be happy to assist you in any way we can.
