ambrosia Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Hello. I am considering to buy a house. The house was built in 1960. During the visit I found many small cracks on the unfinished basement floor. There is also some spots of white powder. I've uploaded a couple of photos from the floor at this address: http://www.philippedelage.com/photos/120-pendennis/ I heard about Pyrite. I'm wandering if these photos are a sign of Pyrite under the basement floor. The main reasons why I'm not sure is that in most cases the white powder is not located at the same spot as the cracks. Also, there is no heaving below the cracks. It does not seems like something is pushing from under. Do you guys think this is a sign of pyrite? And if no, what could be the white powder? If I buy the house, I will have it inspected by a professional. But I would like to clarify this part before I move forward. Thanks. Your advice is greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sepefrio Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 I'd like to ask you why you think that is caused by Pyrite in the backfill? The reason I ask is that Pyrite in backfill and the problems it may cause is not a commonly known subject. If you ask 100 people about pyrite, 99 will answer, Fools Gold. I myself am not an expert in pyrite but the fact that it is lacking the bulging (heaving) concrete and that the cracks seems more straight vice a star type pattern, I'm thinking not pyrite. As for the "white powder", is it dried on and you would need a screw driver or knife to scrape it off or can you rub some off with your finger? Is it very fine or does it have a sandy grit to it? In the second picture, the one with the tennis shoes there are a couple of white lines next to the shoes. Is that the same power? I ask that because that seems to straight for something natural. That looks more like something was sitting on the floor (like a box) and something was spilled next to it. (in another photo, the pattern is round like the bottom of a bucket)Was this room ever carpeted, tiled or other floor covering? Edit: Another thought, I believe that is a washer machine in one picture. Has it ever overflowed with soapy water? We can try and help you but remember not matter what is said here, you certainly need someone to look at it first hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Hi, It looks like efflorescence coming up through a concrete basement floor that probably doesn't have any kind of moisture resistant barrier beneath it. is it an older house? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Since you're in Montreal, I suppose it could be Pyrite but you'll need a local expert to tell you more. Have you seen this? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randynavarro Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 I vote efflorescence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 I bet that Ambrosia means Pearlite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Hi Scott, No, Ambrosia is referring to an expanding fill phenomenon they apparently have in the Montreal area. Pyrite is iron and when it's in soil it can corrode and expand the same way it does when it's used to make steel and is used as rebar in concrete. According to the link I posted, it's a real problem in the Montreal area. Still, it certainly doesn't look like an expanding fill problem to me; I think it's efflorescence. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghentjr Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Originally posted by hausdok Hi Scott, No, Ambrosia is referring to an expanding fill phenomenon they apparently have in the Montreal area. Pyrite is iron and when it's in soil it can corrode and expand the same way it does when it's used to make steel and is used as rebar in concrete. According to the link I posted, it's a real problem in the Montreal area. Still, it certainly doesn't look like an expanding fill problem to me; I think it's efflorescence. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike I'm with Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Originally posted by ghentjr Originally posted by hausdok Hi Scott, No, Ambrosia is referring to an expanding fill phenomenon they apparently have in the Montreal area. Pyrite is iron and when it's in soil it can corrode and expand the same way it does when it's used to make steel and is used as rebar in concrete. According to the link I posted, it's a real problem in the Montreal area. Still, it certainly doesn't look like an expanding fill problem to me; I think it's efflorescence. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike I'm with Mike. OK, I'll go with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambrosia Posted March 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 Hi Guys, Thanks for your replies. To answer your questions: - Yes, I live in Montreal which had many cases of pyrites. - This house was built in 1960. - I did not see any signs of dampness but there used to be a crack in the foundation wall next to where I took the pictures. The crack caused water infiltration but it was fixed by injection in 1984. There are some elements that I forgot to mention. These pictures are all taken from the laundry room. There is another area where the basement floor is unfinished, and in this second area there is small cracks but no white powder at all. This make it even more credible that this is a case of efflorescence rather than pyrite. Thanks again, you are very helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excalibur Posted April 5, 2008 Report Share Posted April 5, 2008 These fissures appear to have been caused by hydrostatic pressure in the soil. Several other indications detected on the site, near the construction, appear to indicate that the underground water table is high. An investigation into the exact causes of the damage should be undertaken. A specialist in drainage should be consulted to obtain a complete report on the foundation drainage system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Lowery Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 How could pyrites effect the 'crete if it is in the back fill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibsonguy Posted July 18, 2008 Report Share Posted July 18, 2008 Hi Steve, Pyrite (sometimes called fool's gold) is very simply a rock with some iron in it. It was readily available and very cheap to obtain in the Montreal region (mostly on the south shore of the island) before there were big problems that started to develop. When the backfill comes into contact with water, it oxidizes (rusts) and it expands much like the paint bubbling up on your car when it rusts. This causes pressure under the slab (or against the foundation wall) when drainage is poor. For Ambrosia, this is probably too little too late, however be wary of circles in the slab floor that look "patched" These are almost always tell tale signs of pyrite testing, and therefore be disclosed by the owner. Ian Towers Inspectrum Inc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystal8es Posted November 22, 2010 Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 I am a newbie here and just wanna say Hi to everyone. I am Crystal from Louisiana, US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted November 22, 2010 Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 Hi Crystal from Louisiana, Welcome. You'll notice that I've removed the link from your post. Sorry, but we don't allow folks to drop commercial links here unless they're of some benefit to home inspectors. Now, if you'd like to discuss home inspections..... ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted November 22, 2010 Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 I am a newbie here and just wanna say Hi to everyone. I am Crystal from Louisiana, US. Here's a hint, Crystal, Americans don't say, "I'm from Lousiana, US." That's something that someone from outside the US might say. We figure that everyone knows that Lousiana is in the US. It's also a little odd that your profile says you're from California. Most Americans don't make that kind of mistake. So where are you really from and why are you here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted November 22, 2010 Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 Betcha we don't hear from her again. She did her job, dropped the link and left. She's probably hit another 50 sites by now. If she doesn't respond within a day or two, I'll delete the post. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted November 22, 2010 Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 She may have thought that this was a Canadian website, given all of the posts on this thread by the Canadians friends. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted November 22, 2010 Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 She may have thought that this was a Canadian website, given all of the posts on this thread by the Canadians friends. Marc Maybe. After all, Louisiana was initially settled by a bunch of transplanted Acadians from Canada, right? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted November 22, 2010 Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 She may have thought that this was a Canadian website, given all of the posts on this thread by the Canadians friends. Marc Certainly possible, though I suspect not. When I talk to Canadians, I tell them I'm from Oregon. Not Oregon, US. It works the other way, too. The Canadians tell us that they're from B.C., or Saskatchewan, or Ontario. They might even mention their city, but I don't recall them saying that they're from Ontario, Canada. Even if the name of the city is the same, people identify the state or province, not the country. We say Vancouver, BC or Vancouver, WA, but not Vancouver, WA, US. In general, North Americans tend to recognize the names of states & provinces without the need for identification of the country. (Unless, of course, it's a contested area like Buffalo.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted November 22, 2010 Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 She may have thought that this was a Canadian website, given all of the posts on this thread by the Canadians friends. Marc Maybe. After all, Louisiana was initially settled by a bunch of transplanted Acadians from Canada, right? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Not initially, though eventually along with some Germans, Africans, Native Americans and others ... yes. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted November 22, 2010 Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 Did you know that the New Mexico license plate is the only license plate in the US that along with the states name it has USA printed on it as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted November 22, 2010 Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 I feel so much better now that I've picked up my trivia for the day!! - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.