Pyrite in pre 1995 build?

Felinini

Hi,
After a protracted search in a difficult market, we are mid purchase of a 28 year old house in Swords.  All was finally going well. Until the survey.  I opted for an engineer who I considered would give a measured and prof opinion. He's not cheap at €500. The report back hones in on the possibility of pyrite, and ultimately recommends that I obtain mineral samples or walk away. 
I have seen pyrite effects up close and I saw nothing when I viewed this house - or a house three doors down and one on the next road over (I like the area!!). No cracked tiles, no lumps in floor, no cracks over doors. Zippo to cause concern. However the survey cites cracks on the external walls at DPC (Damp Proof Course level) and doors upstairs jamming as the justification for the no-go conclusion.   The estate has no known instances of pyrite - as agreed by the surveyor. 
I want to trust the judgment of the professional I hired, however the response seems exaggerated. I did follow his guidance and asked for samples of the hard core...but the seller is having none of it.  So I'm facing a decision to walk away and lose the house and my investment to date (valuation/ survey/ legal fees) or proceed with this nasty seed of doubt.
What's causing my concern with the surveyor is the tone.  He loves talking about pyrite and divulged numerous estates that he claims are 'riddled'. He was also quick to refer friends who conduct the core testing.  I found this off-putting.  In Debenhams when I want a free knife, I listen to a sales pitch. However when I pay a decent amount of cash for a professional opinion, I don't want a bloody sales pitch!
I'm gathering second opinions and all the evidence I can.  The builder was developing another site in 1989 when my house was built...and those houses too, appear clean as a whistle.  I checked with a specialist pyrite surveyor and he felt on the basis of age and symptoms described that a core test is over-reactive.  The Govt report on pyrite states that the period of concern is from 1995 onwards. 
If anyone out there owns a similarly aged property in Swords I would be super grateful for any updates via PM.  Similarly if anyone has any similar experience with a surveyor please PM me.
Apologies for another crappy pyrite post, and thanks for reading!
Fi

jamesthepeach

Felinini wrote: »

Hi,
After a protracted search in a difficult market, we are mid purchase of a 28 year old house in Swords.  All was finally going well. Until the survey.  I opted for an engineer who I considered would give a measured and prof opinion. He's not cheap at €500. The report back hones in on the possibility of pyrite, and ultimately recommends that I obtain mineral samples or walk away. 
I have seen pyrite effects up close and I saw nothing when I viewed this house - or a house three doors down and one on the next road over (I like the area!!). No cracked tiles, no lumps in floor, no cracks over doors. Zippo to cause concern. However the survey cites cracks on the external walls at DPC (Damp Proof Course level) and doors upstairs jamming as the justification for the no-go conclusion.   The estate has no known instances of pyrite - as agreed by the surveyor. 
I want to trust the judgment of the professional I hired, however the response seems exaggerated. I did follow his guidance and asked for samples of the hard core...but the seller is having none of it.  So I'm facing a decision to walk away and lose the house and my investment to date (valuation/ survey/ legal fees) or proceed with this nasty seed of doubt.
What's causing my concern with the surveyor is the tone.  He loves talking about pyrite and divulged numerous estates that he claims are 'riddled'. He was also quick to refer friends who conduct the core testing.  I found this off-putting.  In Debenhams when I want a free knife, I listen to a sales pitch. However when I pay a decent amount of cash for a professional opinion, I don't want a bloody sales pitch!
I'm gathering second opinions and all the evidence I can.  The builder was developing another site in 1989 when my house was built...and those houses too, appear clean as a whistle.  I checked with a specialist pyrite surveyor and he felt on the basis of age and symptoms described that a core test is over-reactive.  The Govt report on pyrite states that the period of concern is from 1995 onwards. 
If anyone out there owns a similarly aged property in Swords I would be super grateful for any updates via PM.  Similarly if anyone has any similar experience with a surveyor please PM me.
Apologies for another crappy pyrite post, and thanks for reading!
Fi

Do a bit of stalking on him and see if he has anything to do with the people he will no doubt be recommending to do the core samples if you ask him.
Sounds well dodgy to me.
TBH if I was the vendor I'd be staying well clear of these shenanigans too, so I can understand their position.

whiskeyman

Pm sent