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Expert Q Ren Molnar Q&A Archive
Top > Masonry & Chimneys > Frost

Question:

We are building on Canadian Shield. Rather than blast out a piece of granite, we chose to build this into our foundation. We noticed that water appears to be seeping under the footing and over the face of the rock into our basement. We were told that there nothing that can be done (it could be coming from deep in the rock?), and in retrospect should have blasted out the rock.

Answer:

Learn to live with it. Mother Nature and Old Man Winter (two of the most indiscrete Canadians) will not permit you to do much with it except (perhaps!!) on a temporary basis. They heat up that rock and then cool it off and then go through the cycle again more times than present building technology will permit anything to keep up with them. Temperature fluctuations force all materials to expand and contract and it doesn't take much of an opening for water to seep through - particularly once it has found and established its path of least resistance.

Remember, even if you don’t do your own work around the house have to hire someone, you put yourself at a great advantage when you can intelligently discuss a project with the various trades people.

"Ren’s Ren-O-Vations Tips"
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It is sent out in time to have it in your mailbox or on your computer by the 20th of the month – every month.

To order, simply send a cheque or money order to:
Ren,
P.O. Box 9411,
Ottawa, Ontario,
K1G 3V1

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Ren

Answered By: Ren Molnar

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