REVEALED: Homes 'crumbling' in Ireland due to poor quality concrete

THE FOUNDATIONS of some homes in Ireland have been found to deteriorate due to ‘defective concrete’, according to one investigation.

The latest publication by a study conducted by the Ulster University Research Consortium has found that an internal sulphate attack (ISA) is the main cause of the issues appearing in some houses, specifically in Donegal.

ISA has also been found to be the primary cause of other homes dotted around the country, including that of Clare, Limerick, Sligo and Mayo. 

When concrete is affected by this, the sulphur swells, rusts and eventually cracks. 

Now, official research into the problem has been funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage and commissioned by the Geological Survey of Ireland.

The commissioned research is based on an investigation of four homes dotted around different locations in the county – three known to be affected by defective concrete and a control home that is not affected.

In addition to the ISA, the research also confirmed the presence of high quantities of muscovite mica in the concrete, which is known to create poor quality porous concrete.

This porous concrete opens up more pathways for moisture and oxygen to fuel an ISA.

Lisa Hone, chairperson of Mica Action Group, said: “The research findings published by the Ulster University consortium reaffirm the conclusions of previous independent investigations. 

“The primary cause of the deterioration of our homes is due to internal sulphate attack as a result of unregulated quantities of iron sulphides.

“Scientific evidence from other independent research together with the findings of this paper necessitate immediate action with regard to remediation recommended for Donegal homes,” Ms Hone concluded.