Enfield family in pyrite hell
by Paul Neilan Updated: Wednesday, 9th November, 2011 4:55pm
Tony and Nicola Kilcoyne outside their home at Newcastle Wood in Enfield.
An Enfield family is watching their home come apart at the seams and don't know what more they can do as the builder of the house is refusing to repair pyrite damage in their house while repairing damage his - right next door.
Mother-of-three young children Nicola Kilcoyne says that the builder who built their pyrite-infected home at Newcastle Wood, Enfield, is refusing to deal with them and that repairs to his own adjoining semi-detached has caused them to protest on the street.
"We bought the house in 2007 and began noticing cracks so we sat down with the builder's son and he promised us that it would be repaired. So we didn't immediately go to the solicitor but we went along with the promises we were given. Then the firm collapsed and we had no recourse," she said.
"Now we're told that if they can make a profit out of the repair of his own home after selling it on, that those profits would be used in repairs to our own home but who's going to buy a house these days? Especially on estates known to have pyrite in them?"
Pyrite is a foundation mix, also called Fool's Gold, that expands when it comes in contact with moisture. Over time, the effects of pyrite expansion can make a home uninhabitable, something now on Nicola's mind.
"We've had the tests done and it's positive for pyrite. There are cracks, we've got rising floors, we've got doors that don't close. We had to saw a piece off the door so it would close. The cracks have gotten bigger and the sitting room floor is rising up down the middle and they're around the windows," she said.
Nicola's and husband Tony's three children are all under five, the youngest is just 14 weeks-old.
"We protested outside but we can't hold off the work forever, despite the great friends and neighbours who came out to support us," she added.
She added: "We picketed the builder's house (in Kildare) and still nothing. He's just not around. I've not heard a word in six weeks and what else have we left? What else can we do but make our voices heard and protest?"
Post a Comment