Danger of Foam Homes

By Janet Spencer

Are you aware of the danger of foam homes?

Danger of Foam Homes

Apparently fake bricks being used by builders to build home are putting people at risk  I found this interesting as I am seeing alot of luxury homes in Kew, Camberwell, Balwyn, North Balwyn, Glen Iris and Malvern using this choice of construction material in new homes.  If not used on the ground floor, it is often used as a light weight construction material on the top floor of two storey home.

Many of these homes, once complete, are selling in the $3 million price bracket and above and are built and sold as luxury homes.

Some developers were putting residents at risk by using polystyrene bricks to cut costs on homes….It comes as one of Australia’s biggest insurance companies told a Senate inquiry that eco-friendly laws were creating death traps.

Independent Senator Nick Xenaphon demanded a ban on flammable foam imports, and will introduce a private member’s Bill to parliament this year.

Builders often render the lightweight polystyrene walls so they resembled brickwork- and buyers only discovered thy had a foam home when it started leaking.

One problem these owners may face is getting building insurance for their home.  Insurers will not want to be exposed to higher risk properties and even if they will insure, premiums may be higher.

So how is this legal?

in 1996, the National Construction Code was changed to let builders use “alternative solutions’ to traditional building materials.  So builders and developers can now use polystyrene blocks to build homes as a short cut and cheaper solution in the building process to save cots.

As professional property buyers, the Buyer Solutions team always check out construction methods and recommend professional building inspections and evaluation of any property by suitably qualified professionals. We have no knowledge of toxicity issues related to fire or long term use of these materials.  Certainly, this is a relatively new building material and bears further investigation.

For independent advice on buying or selling real estate, contact Janet Spencer at Buyer Solutions +61 3 9816 8555 or email jspencer@buyersolutions.com.au

Buying property, First home buyers, Home buying, Housing Market, In The Media, Overseas Buyers

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