I am selling a house in Cincinnati, OH. The house was built in 1962. I bought it in 2001. I never had a problem with the basement leaking. When I bought the house, there were diagonal cracks, which I was told were no problem by my inspector.
About 6 weeks ago, an inspector noted efflorescence in the basement and implied that this was a sign of the basement leaking. (He identified a number of clear defects, which I have since fixed. His buyer has moved on.) I hired an engineer to look at the back wall of the basement, and he found about 1/2 " of inward tilt and recommended Pilasters, which have been installed. Since the report, we have had a fair amount of rain in Cincinnati, with, of course, no water in the basement. I videotaped the moist conditions outside and the dryness inside and documented the date and time. Also, the son of the former owner (an engineer who graduated from the naval academy) has written a statement that the basement never leaked from 1962 through 2001.
I realize as an owner, my statements regarding the non-leakage of the basement, are going to be taken with a grain of salt by buyers. My question is whether there is a scientific explanation for the efflorescence that is consistent with my experience and that of the former occupants, that the basement does not leak.
Thanks for any assistance that can be given.
About 6 weeks ago, an inspector noted efflorescence in the basement and implied that this was a sign of the basement leaking. (He identified a number of clear defects, which I have since fixed. His buyer has moved on.) I hired an engineer to look at the back wall of the basement, and he found about 1/2 " of inward tilt and recommended Pilasters, which have been installed. Since the report, we have had a fair amount of rain in Cincinnati, with, of course, no water in the basement. I videotaped the moist conditions outside and the dryness inside and documented the date and time. Also, the son of the former owner (an engineer who graduated from the naval academy) has written a statement that the basement never leaked from 1962 through 2001.
I realize as an owner, my statements regarding the non-leakage of the basement, are going to be taken with a grain of salt by buyers. My question is whether there is a scientific explanation for the efflorescence that is consistent with my experience and that of the former occupants, that the basement does not leak.
Thanks for any assistance that can be given.