Clonmany Residents

Defective Blocks - Flooding



Destructive and Horrifying scenes of Defective / Mica / Pyrrhotite Block Houses


50+ Riverside Park homes are potentially affected by Defective Blocks containing Mica and Pyrrhotite. This estate is located at the Big Bridge in Clonmany village, a reoccurring flooding bottleneck. The new enlarged embankment in the Parochial Field has the potential capability to rapidly accelerate the flow of water to this bottleneck bridge which could escalate and inflame (debris) this bottleneck . The Ballynahallan (Ballyhallan) River enters the Clonmany River 60 metres before the Big Bridge and is listed as a significant flood risk ( page 76 ) in the 2018 Office of Public Works - North Western - Flood Risk Management Plan Report.

"The 100% Redress Party was formed to secure a genuine 100% redress scheme for all those affected by defective concrete products."


The 100% Redress Political Party now boasts four Donegal County Councillors and one Teachta Dála ( TD, a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas, the parliament of Ireland ).

 

What is Donegal's Defective Block / Mica / pyrrhotite  Scandal? No images

The Donegal Defective Block/Mica/Pyrrhotite Scandal refers to a widespread issue in County Donegal, Ireland, where homes built with defective concrete blocks are crumbling due to the presence of high levels of mica, pyrrhotite, and other minerals that expand when exposed to moisture, causing cracking and decay. This has left thousands of homeowners facing significant financial hardship and the potential loss of their homes. The government has introduced a redress scheme to assist affected homeowners, but it has faced criticism for its limitations and slow implementation.  

While the term "Mica Scandal" was initially used to describe the issue, further investigation revealed that pyrrhotite, another mineral that expands when exposed to moisture, is also a significant contributor to the problem. The presence of both mica and pyrrhotite in the concrete blocks makes the issue even more complex and challenging to address.  

Google’s Gemini Artificial Intelligence


Defective Block Riverside Park Flood Maps

 

What effect will flooding have on these Defective / Mica / pyrrhotite blocks? No images

Flooding will have a significant and detrimental effect on buildings constructed with Defective Blocks containing mica and pyrrhotite. Here's why:

  • Increased Moisture: Flooding introduces a large amount of water into the structure. This excess moisture accelerates the expansion and degradation processes of mica and pyrrhotite, leading to more rapid cracking and structural deterioration.

  • Exposure to Contaminants: Floodwater often carries contaminants like sewage and chemicals. This exposure can further weaken the already compromised concrete blocks and accelerate their decay.

  • Erosion: The force of floodwater can erode the soil around the foundation, destabilizing the structure and increasing the risk of collapse.

  • Mold and Mildew: Flooding creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can pose health risks to occupants and further damage the building materials.

  • In summary, flooding poses a severe threat to buildings constructed with Defective Blocks. The combination of increased moisture, exposure to contaminants, and potential structural instability can significantly worsen the existing damage and accelerate the deterioration process.

    • Google’s Gemini Artificial Intelligence


    Mica absorbs and stores water, which expands when it freezes, thus undermining the cohesion of the cement and weakening the block. Deterioration is progressive because each freeze-thaw cycle opens the block to more water ingress. Cracks appear in walls, deepen and spread as the blocks give way, allowing more water ingress.

    Another impurity in concrete blocks, pyrite, is causing similar problems in western counties like Mayo, Galway and Clare.

    A third impurity – pyrrhotite, an iron sulfide that oxidises on contact with water and oxygen, creating new compounds that expand – was put forward by researchers from Ulster University last year as an overlooked, contributing factor in the mica crisis.

    Muscovite mica: Ireland’s concrete block nightmare - Construction Management

     

    Defective Block Links



    100% Mica Redress Protest - Dublin - 15/06/2021

    Planning Objection   |   Public Toilet Anti-Social Behaviour Research   |   'Night of The Big Flood'   |   OPW Flood Risk Management Plan   |   Clonmany Historical Flooding   |   Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)   |   Riverside Embankment   |   Riverside Embankment Timeline   |   Onsite Development Embankment Enlargement   |   Onsite Development ESB Networks   |   Potential Topography Flooding   |   Revised Shed Location & Flood Maps   |   Funding, Management and Operation of the Facilities   |   Alleged Old Asbestos Pipe   |   Play Park Health & Safety   |   Legality of 2017 Developments   |   Shed Embankment, Civil Engineer and Embankment Concerns   |   Reported Onsite Development   |   Defective Blocks - Flooding   |   Planning Application Inconsistencies Inaccuracies   |   RTÉ CountryWide & Science Week   |   Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
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