How hundreds of new-build homes ‘could fall to pieces’
‘You can see the insulation’
WITH a brand new home, crumbling masonry is usually the last thing you have to worry about.
But hundreds of homes are in danger of disintegrating after they were built with sub-standard concrete, a damning investigation has found.
Weak mortar that fails to meet recommended industry standards has been used on at least two estates in Scotland and 11 others in the rest of the UK.
The shocking revelation comes amid a housing crisis, with developers accused of cutting corners to finish homes and meet government targets.
National House Building Council (NHBC) guidelines state that mortar in most areas of the UK should be of at least one part cement to 5.5 parts sand.
However, tests on one of the Scottish homes affected found the amount of sand in the mortar was nearly three times higher.
It is understood developers are forcing desperate homeowners to sign gagging orders before claiming compensation.
It means those affected cannot even talk about their problems with neighbours on the same estate, who might unknowingly face similar structural issues.
Vincent Fascione, 70, from Airdrie, Lanarkshire, bought his property in 2012 for £112,500 from developer Taylor Wimpey. Fouryears later, as he was watching TV, he heard a loud cracking noise from the external walls.
The next morning, the pensioner found a sand-like substance all over his front path and driveway.
Mr Fascione complained to the firm and to the NHBC, which provides warranties on new-builds.
Tests found three times too much sand in the mortar.
Mr Fascione told BBC Two’s Victoria Derbyshire programme: ‘I’ll never buy a new-build house again. It’s just been disastrous for me. The last year and a half has been a living hell.’
Referring to areas of the gable end wall, he added: ‘The mortar has completely disappeared. You can see the insulation.’
Mr Fascione is now living in a flat after Taylor Wimpey bought the building back from him. A Taylor Wimpey spokesman said: ‘We want to reassure our customers of our absolute commitment to delivering excellent quality homes and achieving high levels of customer satisfaction.
‘On the rare occasions where issues do arise, we endeavour to resolve them as soon as practically possible.’
A spokesman for NHBC said: ‘As the UK’s leading warranty provider, we care passionately about the quality of new homes and are committed to helping homeowners resolve any problems they may have.’