Raac in homes: what you need to know about crumbling concrete

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But while over 150 buildings are known to be affected, the impact could ultimately be far broader. Here, we provide a simple guide explaining what Raac is, how it's been affecting schools and other public buildings and if there's a risk to your home.

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What is Raac?

Raac was a commonly used construction material in floors, walls and roofs in public buildings made or modified between the 1950s and mid-1990s. 

It had the advantage of being lighter than conventional concrete – but this came at a cost of also being less durable. It's considered to have a lifespan of around 30 years, but it can last longer in well-maintained buildings. However, as time has passed, concerns have increased about the potential for structural failure in buildings that contain panels (or 'planks') of the material. 

In August, the Department for Education issued new guidance that any educational buildings with confirmed Raac should no longer be open without mitigations in place. As of mid September 2023, 174 school buildings have so far been affected by this guidance.     

Has Raac been found in homes?

Raac was most commonly used in public buildings with flat roofs, such as schools, colleges and office blocks.

While it wasn't used widely in homes, there have been recent reports of Raac uncovered in some social housing – and also in flats that were converted from office blocks or other kinds of public buildings.

Unfortunately, the full extent to which Raac has been used in the private sector isn't definitively known.

What should I do if I think there's Raac in my home?

If you own or manage a building and suspect Raac may have been used in its construction, The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) advises:

Note that Raac planks were used from the mid 1950s until the early 1990s, so buildings (or extensions) built before or after this period are unlikely to be affected.

Ask the local authority whether any similar buildings to yours in the area are known to have Raac roof or floor planks.

Check any records about the construction to see if Raac is mentioned. But be aware that Raac may not be mentioned even when it was used. Note that certain product names such as Siporex, Durox, Celcon, Hebel and Ytong are indicators of Raac.

If you do not know the construction type of a roof but it could be Raac planks, then the roof should be inspected by a suitably qualified and appropriately experienced professional, such as a RICS chartered building surveyor or chartered structural engineer, who is experienced with this type of construction.

Will any repairs be covered by home insurance?

This is currently a live issue with insurers. As of writing, a representative of the Association of British Insurers told us it is still investigating the matter with its members to get a clearer idea of what potential insurance issues could exist.

We've surveyed thousands of customers and analysed more than 70 policies to find theundefined

source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/raac-in-homes-what-you-need-to-know-about-crumbling-concrete-arVVK6i35ZWq