Key Post Pyrite in Foundations leading to cracks

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I can understand your anguish. Just dont get hung up on it. Get the house fixed as the first priority. You can deal with the issue of compensation after that. A lot of builders have gone and the insurance companies are the only option.
 
doesn't your Homebond agreement cover you/me against the possibility that a builder goes bankrupt ?
 
Indeed even if Homebond does not cover it (getting blood from a stone) in the case of Menolly as they are not a limited company we can sue Seamus Ross personally if the current case against Lagan does not go his way. By the way pyriteengine I'm wondering if your property is effected by pyrite and if you are happy enough to just get it fixed?
I know I won't be taking the builders/developers at their word as this will be the second time I've been moved from my home to have this problem "fixed". I don't want to have to do it again so I'm looking for assurances that they are actually fixing it and that Pyrite is the only cause for concern.
 
You should have your own independent engineer who really knows what he is doing to examine your house and determine the scope of defects. The direct defects that arise from pyrite can be easily identified and proven by specialist testing. Other structural defects can similarily be determined under headings such as foundation, superstructure and roof. If in doubt get an engineer from the outset.
 
Engineers have been engaged for over two years now. Initially I extended the benefit of the doubt to both Menolly and their engineer (a well know dublin firm)as I believed that they would want to rectify the situation. I assumed that they would act in both our interests as resolve the problem to both our satisfation. This does not seem to have been the case. Anyone who has engaged the main two legal firms in this case Arthur Cox and Lavelle Coleman will already have engineers representing them, this does not mean that they should accept the developers offer and just have the house fixed.
 
I would not advise you one way or other. Bear in mind that the problem only causes more damage with time if left as is.
 
TheBlock said:
Engineers have been engaged for over two years now. Initially I extended the benefit of the doubt to both Menolly and their engineer (a well know dublin firm)as I believed that they would want to rectify the situation. I assumed that they would act in both our interests as resolve the problem to both our satisfation. This does not seem to have been the case. Anyone who has engaged the main two legal firms in this case Arthur Cox and Lavelle Coleman will already have engineers representing them, this does not mean that they should accept the developers offer and just have the house fixed.
Click to expand...

I am not advising anyone in the matter under discussion
The substantive issue in relation to non-lethal building defects is to remedy the fault(s) as soon as practicable.
Unfortunately the "maximisation of claims" culture can take a hold of the case(s) and the whole thing can go pear-shaped.
My experience in court cases where I have been asked to advise is that the injured party should act to mitigate their loss and that the offending party should offer reasonable redress at an early stage, assuming liability is uncontested.
Either party failing to follow this advice is usually viewed in a poor light by the courts.

FWIW

ONQ.

[broken link removed]
 
Hi Onq
Thanks for your input, as someone who is part of the bulding/design profession this is very welome indeed so is all input into this disussion. Pyriteengine in particular seems to know a lot about the causes and remedies of this problem. The only issue I have is that this will not be the first time I have had to vacat my home in order to have this issue resolved, i was moved out for a few weeks over two years ago while they "rectified" this problem. My issue with Menolly is that they wanted us to sign a wavier this time. I refuse to do so as I'm not sure that thet will fix the problem this time either and do not want to put myself at any disadvantage if the problems resurface. This is nothing to do with the "maximisation of any claim" rather the assurance that the developer or the material supplier (whomever is at fault here as it certainly is not me the purchaser) cannot simply wash there hands of this by throwing a few quid at it. I'll be paying for my home for many years the least I expect it to be is structurally sound and habitable.

I do believe home owners should be compensated by the way but that is a secondary consideration for me.
 
Pyriteengine said:
hey. stop the advertising. very poor show.
Click to expand...

Hi Pyriteengine.

I'm a building design professional.
I've posted relevant information here.
I seldom post my website URL anywhere.
Recently I have included it with relevant posts.
Please read this - from the Guidelines for this forum.
If the mods see fit to amend this or request I desist, fine.

ONQ.

--------------------------------------------

5B Putting contact details in your signature

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If the vast majority of your posts relate to the service you provide, in practice, you might forget to remove your signature from unrelated posts. However, when you see this, you should edit your post appropriately. (You can leave your signature on posts before the 4th February 2009, the date of implementation of this new guideline)

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TheBlock said:
Hi Onq
Thanks for your input, as someone who is part of the bulding/design profession this is very welome indeed so is all input into this disussion. Pyriteengine in particular seems to know a lot about the causes and remedies of this problem. The only issue I have is that this will not be the first time I have had to vacat my home in order to have this issue resolved, i was moved out for a few weeks over two years ago while they "rectified" this problem. My issue with Menolly is that they wanted us to sign a wavier this time. I refuse to do so as I'm not sure that thet will fix the problem this time either and do not want to put myself at any disadvantage if the problems resurface. This is nothing to do with the "maximisation of any claim" rather the assurance that the developer or the material supplier (whomever is at fault here as it certainly is not me the purchaser) cannot simply wash there hands of this by throwing a few quid at it. I'll be paying for my home for many years the least I expect it to be is structurally sound and habitable.

I do believe home owners should be compensated by the way but that is a secondary consideration for me.
Click to expand...

For the record,TheBlock, I don't think you are "maximising your claim", not at all.

I just wanted to give a well-rounded answer to your query as I've seen some claims being handled in ways where the substantive issue seemed to be taking second place.

In relation to my above post, the website url was included to show I wasn't talking off the top of my head - I've done a lot of compliance work [I'm not touting for this BTW] although none to do with pyrite, thank goodness.

My long earlier post in one of the pyrite threads [maybe it was this very one] was intended to show that more reasons exist for cracking in buildings than just pyrite in the substructures.

Again, not trying to diminish concerns, just trying to balance the informed discussion I saw here.

Finally, I suspect I'm the only building professional on these forums :)

Later.

ONQ.
 
For the record, I am currently dealing with in excess of 120 pyrite cases in Ireland from as far away as edenderry up to north dublin. It is not a single quarry that has this problem and ultimately this problem is going to get bigger and bigger. I am what the courts term as "An Expert" in this field, but feel that advise is better given whne accurate and subjective. I recognise that this matter is very subjective for all house owners and I also accept that some builders have not done their best over the years to solve the defect. I am not representing any builders so my comments are not biased. Realistically the extent of the problem is now only being recognised, and historically many carcks were put down to simple shrinkage cracks. In canada the defect comes to light from 8-15 years whilst in Ireland the defect is appearing from 18 months up to five years. This is due to our geology in particular. I believe that Homebond etc and the builders are now recognising the implications of pyrite in their infill. Anyone can send me a private message and I will advise you as best I can. I have done this in the past and I have not charged anyone, considering the ethos of this forum. Public spirit and all that. As a footnote, the following counties have the problem confirmed, Meath, Offaly, Dublin, Louth. Ultimately there will be many hundreds of defective properties.
 
Pyriteengine, thanks for going on the record about your expertise.
I think it was long overdue and you have contributed hugely to the debate.
People may re-read your posts in a different light knowing your depth of awareness.

ONQ.
 
ONQ & Pyriteengine,please continue to provide quality stuff. Some days just reading what's posted here helps get me through the day ;)
 
I don't know if this is "quality stuff" but reading that phrase triggered the following thought.

"Wouldn't it be great if some chemical engineer came up with something you could inject into the foundation that could reverse - or at minimum halt - the chemical reaction that's causing the expansion of the material and thus the cracking?"

Perhaps some nice chemical laboratory out there will find a way to address this issue.

"Quality stuff" indeed.

:)

ONQ.
 
I wish it was that simple. The geology involved is minute and therefore impossible to achieve saturation of the material in any meaningful way, considering that the infill is sitting on natural ground. There would be a contamination of the ground issue as well. The only current acceptable way is to remove the material totally.
 
Pyriteengine

What do you think should happen to the external walls of properties that have been damaged by pyrite. My property is not only having an issue with the heave casued but there seems to be considerable outward pressure on the walls causing the brick work and some block work to crack. How would this be remedied? Will the Block/Brick work have to be replaced/Rectified.
 
This needs a detailed answer. I cannot reply till Thursday or Friday as am away at the moment. Bear with me. Lateral displacement occurs in the most reactive material or in cases that have been going on for a long time. Can u tell me the age of your house and whether it is a timber frame house. This is all relevant. What area of the country r u in. Cases with significant lateral movement have largely not been seen in Dublin.
 
Got some really good insights into the causes of the problem and some pionters as to what to look out for from Pyriteengine. Thanks for taking time to do this.
 
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