For many of us who live in Cornwall and Devon, the word ‘Mundic’ can strike a sense of fear. We envisage crumbling properties, being unable to secure a mortgage and left with a decaying home that is unsalvageable following a mundic block test. But our RICS qualified team are here to reassure you that this doesn’t need to be the case!
Here at Cornwall Mining Consultants these are sentiments we have become all too familiar with. Over our 32 years in business, our dedicated Mundic team have carried out over 20,000 Mundic tests across Cornwall and south Devon, working with hopeful buyers and sellers to check their property for the dreaded ‘M’ word.
But what is Mundic and why is it such a problem?
The word Mundic itself is a Cornish mining term for the sulphite mineral ‘Pyrite’, better known as ‘Fool’s Gold’. It describes concrete blocks containing mining waste materials and aggregates which were produced between 1900 and 1960.
These blocks were then frequently used in construction across the south-west of England, predominantly in Cornwall and south Devon.
The presence of Mundic is a problem because it attacks cement, weakens concrete and is at its very worst when exposed to moisture. Whilst Mundic makes a property more susceptible to deterioration, in the worst cases, it can cause structures to completely fall apart.
There three triggers for a Mundic block test to be undertaken;
- Is the property located in Cornwall or South Devon?
- Is there concrete somewhere in the structure, even just a small part?
- Was the property built or modified before or around 1950?
Answering yes to these questions doesn’t need to cause panic – 80% of the properties we test attain a ‘pass’ result!
Choosing to test with Cornwall Mining Consultants means you are in good hands. We have a well-respected Mundic testing team, who hold a reputation for being the best in the southwest.
We have long-standing relationship with the local testing laboratory, Petrolab, means we are able to turn reports around incredibly quickly. And, as Petrolab have also played a significant role in the development of updated Mundic guidance, our knowledge on the topic is second-to-none.
Our newly updated Mundic reports offer easy to read results with traffic light colour coding and suggested next steps, if needed. Where Mundic has been identified, we always provide recommendations for further testing as in some instances this can lead to a report that ‘passes’.
If the results still show the presence of Mundic then it is still not the end of the road.
In many instances, if Mundic is found to be present in a single wall or only part of a structure, such as an extension, it is possible to ‘remove, replace and rebuild’ to leave the property Mundic free.
In these cases our Verification Service will guide you through this removal and replacement process, culminating in a final report confirming your property no longer has Mundic present.
Our friendly team will remain on hand throughout the process to support and guide you, coming out to re-test on completion of works. We have built a reputation for our excellent customer service so you can rest assured when you choose to work with us that you and your property are in safe hands.
So there you have it, no need to panic when your mortgage company requests a ‘Mundic test’. Simply give us a call and we will help you to solve the potential ‘Mundic’ problem or order your mundic block test online >