While buying a house, one should typically look out for the presence of the following deleterious materials. You can look up online for their dictionary meanings and more info, this post is going to be a short and practical explanation of what these materials are based.
The post is written in the context of housing in Ireland. While they're undesirable by nature, I would enlist them as follows considering the frequency and its affects on the structure as well as the house as a financial instrument:
Why is it a problem? It gets into the lungs and can cause a disease called asbestosis. The product was very popular 40 years back and now has been totally banned. Even though the product by nature isn't bad, like if it is over a roof or an inaccessible area, then it won't cause any issues, but when this very object comes in contact or is being broken into its fibers or parts, then it causes severe health issues as the particles are small enough that these could be inhaled into and could stick down the lungs, etc.
Ideally, if you're buying an old house, check for this only if you see the floors lifted, and the way to check this is to take core samples and analyze it in a lab. One of the biggest problem assessing this is that the current owner of the house might not agree with you cutting a core off from a wall and might be an awkward encounter. It would be best to see if any other houses in the locality have pyrite related issues as most houses in a locality are likely to be built from materials acquired from the same quarry.
Impact of Pyrite on Buying/Selling and Financing the House:
You might witness patterns on walls that signify the presence of mica in the aggregate. One of the problems with buying houses with mica is that you might not be able to sell it later; banks might refuse a mortgage on such properties. It is very prevalent in Donegal & Mayo. The only way to check this is by means of a visual test; look for patterns & cracks and if suspected drill a core to analyze in the lab.
Another challenge with inspecting pyrite and mica is that the house owner might not be happy to have a core drilled out from a wall or slab, and this process is expensive as well.
Mica won't break the house immediately, but it will have a long-term effect on the house and also its energy properties.
An invisible gas that poses a unique threat to homeowners. Emerging from the ground, it can seep into buildings and accumulate to dangerous levels. While it lacks the immediate impact of asbestos or structural issues like pyrite and mica, radon is a silent, long-term hazard.
The danger with radon lies in its radioactive nature. Prolonged exposure to elevated radon levels is a known cause of lung cancer. As radon particles decay, they release alpha particles, which can damage lung tissue when inhaled. This risk is particularly concerning in areas with high radon concentrations.
Detecting radon requires specialized testing. Homebuyers, especially in regions known for radon prevalence, should consider including radon testing as part of their property inspection process. Given its invisible nature, radon can go unnoticed until it becomes a health concern.
Preventing radon infiltration involves sealing potential entry points in basements and lower levels. Adequate ventilation and, in some cases, radon mitigation systems can be installed to reduce concentrations to safe levels.
Impact of Radon on Buying/Selling and Financing the House:
In conclusion, while asbestos, pyrite, mica, and radon present distinct challenges, being informed and proactive during the home-buying process is key. Each of these deleterious materials requires a specific approach for detection and, if necessary, remediation. Before making the significant investment of buying a house, thorough inspections and, if needed, consultations with experts can save both money and, more importantly, ensure the safety and longevity of your new home.
Remember, a careful and informed homebuyer is better equipped to navigate the complexities of the real estate market and make decisions that will positively impact their investment and well-being.
The post is written in the context of housing in Ireland. While they're undesirable by nature, I would enlist them as follows considering the frequency and its affects on the structure as well as the house as a financial instrument:
- Mica
- Pyrite
- Asbestos
- Radon
Asbestos:
Why is it a problem? It gets into the lungs and can cause a disease called asbestosis. The product was very popular 40 years back and now has been totally banned. Even though the product by nature isn't bad, like if it is over a roof or an inaccessible area, then it won't cause any issues, but when this very object comes in contact or is being broken into its fibers or parts, then it causes severe health issues as the particles are small enough that these could be inhaled into and could stick down the lungs, etc.
If you're buying a house that's recently built then you need not worry of its presence but for an old house you might want to replace it with something safe. Replacing it would be usually done by a roofing contractor and you'll have to ask him to safely dispose it although he might charge you a fee for this activity.
Impact of Asbestos on Buying/Selling and Financing the House:
- Buying: The presence of asbestos can significantly reduce the value of a home. In some cases, it may even make it impossible to get a mortgage.
- Selling: If you are selling a home with asbestos, you are legally obligated to disclose its presence to potential buyers. Failure to do so could result in legal action.
- Financing: Lenders are often reluctant to finance homes with asbestos. They may require the asbestos to be removed before they will approve a loan.
Pyrite:
This is a chemical occurring in stones and has a golden color; it's also referred to as fool's gold. The problem with this is that it expands when exposed to moisture and is known to lift floors and cause structural issues. Depending upon the type of structure, the issues might not be anything severe. This doesn't cause any health issues but would cause structural deformations of the floor or may pop the plaster in case it is present in the concrete. When doing procurements, ask the quarry if they have a geotechnical certificate from a chartered geotechnical engineer.Ideally, if you're buying an old house, check for this only if you see the floors lifted, and the way to check this is to take core samples and analyze it in a lab. One of the biggest problem assessing this is that the current owner of the house might not agree with you cutting a core off from a wall and might be an awkward encounter. It would be best to see if any other houses in the locality have pyrite related issues as most houses in a locality are likely to be built from materials acquired from the same quarry.
Impact of Pyrite on Buying/Selling and Financing the House:
- Buying: The presence of pyrite can also reduce the value of a home. It can also make it difficult to find a contractor willing to work on the home.
- Selling: Like asbestos, you are legally obligated to disclose the presence of pyrite to potential buyers.
- Financing: Lenders may require repairs to be made before they will approve a loan.
Mica:
This is similar to pyrite and normally occurs with block walls. It is an inert chemical so doesn't cause any health issues but like pyrite, it absorbs moisture and expands, and upon drying, it becomes brittle. This brittle nature affects the structural capacities of the walls, and sometimes this causes the creation of voids that may cause the failure of load-bearing structures.You might witness patterns on walls that signify the presence of mica in the aggregate. One of the problems with buying houses with mica is that you might not be able to sell it later; banks might refuse a mortgage on such properties. It is very prevalent in Donegal & Mayo. The only way to check this is by means of a visual test; look for patterns & cracks and if suspected drill a core to analyze in the lab.
Another challenge with inspecting pyrite and mica is that the house owner might not be happy to have a core drilled out from a wall or slab, and this process is expensive as well.
Mica won't break the house immediately, but it will have a long-term effect on the house and also its energy properties.
Impact of Mica on Buying/Selling and Financing the House:
- Buying: The presence of mica can make it difficult to get a mortgage. It can also make it expensive to repair the damage caused by mica.
- Selling: Homes with mica can be very difficult to sell. In some cases, they may even be unmarketable.
- Financing: Lenders may require a structural engineer to inspect the home before they will approve a loan.
Radon:
The danger with radon lies in its radioactive nature. Prolonged exposure to elevated radon levels is a known cause of lung cancer. As radon particles decay, they release alpha particles, which can damage lung tissue when inhaled. This risk is particularly concerning in areas with high radon concentrations.
Detecting radon requires specialized testing. Homebuyers, especially in regions known for radon prevalence, should consider including radon testing as part of their property inspection process. Given its invisible nature, radon can go unnoticed until it becomes a health concern.
Preventing radon infiltration involves sealing potential entry points in basements and lower levels. Adequate ventilation and, in some cases, radon mitigation systems can be installed to reduce concentrations to safe levels.
Radon Maps
You can check the radon risk in your area using the EPA's radon maps:
You can check the radon risk in your area using the EPA's radon maps:
- National Radon Map: https://gis.epa.ie/EPAMaps/Radon?lid=EPA:RadonMapforWorkplaces
- Radon Risk Map for Ireland: https://www.gsi.ie/en-ie/data-and-maps/Pages/default.aspx
Impact of Radon on Buying/Selling and Financing the House:
- Buying: The presence of radon can make a home less desirable to buyers. It can also be expensive to mitigate radon.
- Selling: You are not legally obligated to disclose the presence of radon to potential buyers. However, it is still a good idea to do so.
- Financing: Lenders may require a radon test before they will approve a loan.
Remember, a careful and informed homebuyer is better equipped to navigate the complexities of the real estate market and make decisions that will positively impact their investment and well-being.