Pyrite 0.01%?

eangach

Hi All, I'm looking to buy a house at the moment which has an extension with 0.01% pyrite, which is built 8 years ago. Is there a danger still that the pyrite might expand? is there a % level chart to show whats considered "not a problem"?
Thanks for all the help, as i haven't a clue and i cant get anyone who seems to know.
Eangach

Michael D Not Higgins

I'm not sure what a high level is considered in terms of pyrite percentage. I know from reading before that in Canada where they had similar problems they had a 100 point scale for determining how likely there would be damage from pyrite which took all other factors into account, not just percentage.

For example, one place with lower pyrite than another might be more susceptible to expansion due to the presence of water on the site. Seeing as it's just the extension and not the whole house, I wouldn't be too worried about it, but you can get testing done to determine if there are possible long term effects.

eangach

Thanks for that!

johnnyskeleton

eangach wrote: »

Hi All, I'm looking to buy a house at the moment which has an extension with 0.01% pyrite, which is built 8 years ago. Is there a danger still that the pyrite might expand? is there a % level chart to show whats considered "not a problem"?
Thanks for all the help, as i haven't a clue and i cant get anyone who seems to know.
Eangach

If you are buying a house for hundreds of thousands of euro and want the peace of mind that it is not an issue, you could get an engineer who specialises in this and get their view on it. They will give you an opinion which you can rely upon. Here is one such firm (I am not endorsing them or associated with them, they were just the first to come up on google):

http://pyriteresolution.ie/what-is-pyrite/

As you can see, Pyrite is a naturally occurring compound of iron and sulphur which, if exposed to water and oxygen, can expand causing cracking. The amount of pyrite in the infill is not the sole determinant as other factors have to come into play. So a guide table based purely on % pyrite content may be misleading (bearing in mind as well that different parts of the infill could have different levels).

If the property is 8 years old, then an engineer should be able to give you a good idea of what the position is on that specific property.

If you are buying with a mortgage, I would imagine that the bank would require such a report in any event before they will agree to the mortgage.

RORY O CONNOR

0.01% is quite low.

What a lot of people don't realize is that there is a sporting chance there is Pyrite present in everyone's house fill as it is a naturally occurring mineral. Even under my floors too-a house built in 1995.

Its when it's at levels of about 0.8% or higher when things start to get a bit difficult. If its only in the extension I'd not be too worried as if it were to become an issue in the future the remedial works would not be too expensive compared to doing a whole house.

As for an engineers report it would only be a visual inspection. You can't know for sure if its present and at what levels but you can guage it from visible signs of damage such as off level floors, sticking doors, wall and ceiling cracks,

gctest50

RORY O CONNOR wrote: »

........ I'd not be too worried as if it were to become an issue in the future the remedial works would not be too expensive compared to doing a whole house.

not everyone wants a minidigger in their sunroom though

RORY O CONNOR

If its only an extension it wouldn't need a mini digger

oppenheimer1

eangach wrote: »

Hi All, I'm looking to buy a house at the moment which has an extension with 0.01% pyrite, which is built 8 years ago. Is there a danger still that the pyrite might expand? is there a % level chart to show whats considered "not a problem"?
Thanks for all the help, as i haven't a clue and i cant get anyone who seems to know.
Eangach

Whether heave will occur or not, depends on the type of pyrite present. What is known as framboidal pryite is particularly expansive and even at low concentrations can do damage. The particular type of pyrite can only be determined by an expert geologist using petrographic and scanning electron microscope techniques among others.

An engineering consultant will point you in the right direction

Galego

I would personally stay away from that house.....

Dr_Bill

You will need professional advice and have a report commissioned before making a buying decision this will need to come from an engineer and not a surveyor.You can still make an offer subject to survey and walk away without penalty if don't like the findings in the report.

If there is any doubt, there is no doubt! You don't want your dream home turning into a nightmare or perhaps later on stuck with a home that you might want to sell on at a later date but can't!