Mica misdiagnosis blamed for devaluing Donegal homes

A public meeting in Letterkenny on Friday night highlighted how the “mica” misdiagnosis is devaluing structurally‑sound homes and creating a stigma for sellers and buyers.

The gathering was organised by the Banking and Insurance Focus Group, which represents those affected by the crisis in multi‑stakeholder discussions on banking, insurance, mortgage and conveyancing issues.

Attendees were told that a technical subgroup set up 18 months ago to protect buyers and ensure fair market prices for low‑risk homes has “completely stalled” over the past year, with no communication to the focus group.

Representatives from banks and insurance companies are still requesting “mica” percentages on properties, despite scientific evidence that internal sulphate attack caused by pyrite and pyrrhotite, not mica, is responsible for defective concrete. The term “mica” has therefore become a stigma in property transactions.

Test cases were presented, including a couple in their 70s whose home tested 11% mica despite normal block testing and independent engineer reports confirming structural soundness. The couple said the mica result caused their property to lose hundreds of thousands of euro in value.

The focus group is seeking a unified testing approach and presented the “Mundich Approach” from Cornwall, a three‑stage process that grades properties for mortgageability and market value without using mica percentages as a risk indicator.

Homeowners experiencing similar difficulties are asked to contact the group at banksandinsurancedcbfocusgroup@yahoo.com.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Fabian Wiktor / Pexels.