Ash foundations

[nykkieberry]

Is it possible that a 1950s house could have been built on gas ashes? And if so, what are the implications? Thanks!

[ianess]

I remember reading that in the "new" town of Glenrothes some of the hoses in one particular area had their foundations infilled with stuff called blae which came out of mineworkings.    If I remember correctly over a longish period of time, if this stuff got damp, it would swell and start to push the exterior walls outwards.

This naturally caused a bit of a fuss at the time [mid 80's I think] but I'm not sure how it eventually got sorted out.
Hope this helps and sorry if I create distress.

[nykkieberry]

Thanks for you reply. It's a house my friend is buying...it's built on ashes and the front room has warped so the foundations need redoing in that room. She's a/ worried that the whole of the downstairs made need doing (although survey didn't say so) and b/ the possibility of the ashes being 'gas' and any complications that entails...

[flaming]

Difficut to pronounce.  I think you should have a chat with the Environmental lot at the Council.  It might come under the 'contaminated land' rules, which weren't thought about years ago,  Various places suffering from contamination, especially a gas, might be entitled to grants, etc.  Worth checking locally.