We have been in our current house, in Richmond Ontario, for one year now and would like to finish the basement. Upon closer examination of the foundation walls, I notice a white, chaulk substance which easily brushes off. Is this a sign of a previous leak? Is it a cause for concern? Or is it just a sign of the soil type surrounding the house?
Answer:
More than anything else its a sign of the foundation wall in that area having been soaked from the outside and is now washing salts into the house. Unless you have actual water there, it should not be a problem.
Courtesy of Ren Molnar, Construction Consultant at HomeFocus.com. I can also be reached at (613) 748-3003 and Home Focus phone-in is broadcast live 8 to 10 A.M. (Ottawa, Ont. time) on Saturdays on www.cfra.com.
