Frequently asked questions
We have been serving Quebec clients for many years and we have accumulated many questions. Here is section entirely dedicated to answer your questions. Whether it is for a small humidity problem or a major water infiltration, you will find advice!
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My Sump Pump never goes on and I am worried.
Depending on the area where you live, the water table could be low and there may not even be water in the ground. If that is the case, your French drain is dry, therefore, your reservoir does not catch water. If you live in an area that is known for being humid, it has been raining for a while and your pump never starts, you could have a draining problem. A soil, root or rock clog, or the collapsing of your French drain could cause water to build up. To prevent any problem, it would then be important to proceed to a camera inspection. The high definition of our camera will immediately find the source of the problem and inform you on the available solutions.
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My catchment area is orange. It looks like rust.
When you notice the presence of rust or orange staining in your catchment area, you could be in presence of iron ochre. This bacteria is very damageable for your building's foundations and will considerably reduce the lifespan of your pump. As soon as the first signs of ochre appears, you must immediately contact our experts. Preventive measures can be used to reduce the impact of the bacteria and an inspection can often prevent important water damages.
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I don't have a pump in my house. Do I have a French drain?
If your house was built after the 50's, there are many chances you have a French Drain. A lot of drainage systems evacuate by gravity. This means the collected water is not expelled from the building with the help of a pump. The drain is most likely connected to your sewer or a nearby falsetto. This type of system is often preferred, because you are not dependent of electricity in case of a flood. When you have a gravity-fed system and wish to inspect it, the only solution is to perform an exploratory excavation. A mini trench is done at the emplacement of your choice and a complete report will be provided. You will then have a peace of mind and will be informed of the remaining years to your drainage system.
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The humidity level in my basement is very high, what should I do?
A basement is generally the most humid area of the house. Being in ground, the walls are constantly in contact with the ground's humidity. Therefore, it is very important to have good foundation waterproofing. Your foundation's waterproofing has a limited lifespan and could have to be redone every 10 years. An inspection can easily be done to see if your waterproofing is the cause of your high level of humidity. A high level of humidity can cause some serious long term problems that could make dry materials like gypsum and wood rot. The best temporary solution while waiting to inspect the foundations is to install a dehumidifier. The humidity will temporarily lower, and the ambient air will be better.
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When I use my toilet or sink, I hear bloating sounds coming from the piping.
Bloating in the piping often means there is a restriction somewhere. It could be caused by roots penetrating your exterior sewer, or your roof vent being obstructed. Whichever the cause may be, it is important to act fast, because clogging is exponential and could lead to an overflow. A visual or camera inspection performed by our experts is always the best solution.
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A white powder is forming on my basement walls and floors.
The white powder observed in some basements is a sign of an obvious water infiltration. This powder is called efflorescence and is the result of water being in long-term contact with concrete. Efflorescence should not be present in a residential building. It is the direct result of weak foundation sealing. As soon as its presence is discovered, you must immediately contact our experts, because your foundation is slowly degrading. A foundation should not be in direct contact with water, because it eats away and deteriorates it fast.
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There is water on my basement floor.
Unless it is caused by a plumbing leak, there is clearly a problem with the exterior of your building. Many reasons could explain such a problem. Depending on the age of your building, water could have come from the top of the foundations, if the brick is weak or lacks weep holes. Generally, the problem is due to cracks in the foundation or a French drain problem. Whatever the reason is, you have to act fast because you risk facing important damage. Take advantage of our free quote service and expert at your service that will immediately identify the source of the infiltration, and suggest the appropriate solutions for you.
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I have a crack in my foundation. Is it alarming?
A crack in the foundation isn't necessarily severe, but it absolutely needs to be evaluated. It can be a micro-crack just as it can be a structural crack, in which case would be more alarming. When you have a doubt or realise the presence of an apparent crack in your foundation, contact us. We will evaluate the situation and give you advice.
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You are not finding the answer to your question?
To submit a question, do not hesitate to contact us at macaron@lesageexcavation.com or fill in the form on our contact page.
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