I recently had JES out to give me a quote on moisture control. In my basement this red oily clay-like substance is coming up from the ground and in through the walls. I believe at one point in time i had a oil burning furnace in the basement that was removed before i bought the house. The inspector with JES believes it could be an underground tank leaking oil (however, there is not a scent of oil) mixed with the clay in the ground. He would not even give me a quote until I had a lab test the substance. How would I know for sure and how much should I expect to pay to have it fixed?

This is what is coming up from the ground where the furnace sat at one time.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/89100459@N03/81176439...