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All of these problems can be analyzed and corrected by experienced professionals. If you have any of the following symptoms, then you should have some concern and should address these issues immediately:

Water trickling out of walls
Standing water on floor
Saturated base of concrete block walls--a ring of dampness
Damp, humid air
Condensation on cold walls and floor in summer
Odor, mold, and mildew
Deterioration of carpet or wood
Rot and decay of wood headers, joists, sill plates, and columns
Staining and blistering of wall covering
Efflorescence, spalling of concrete or masonry

Rainwater and Groundwater

In a one-inch rain, 27,658 gallons will fall on 1 acre of land, 1,250 gallons will fall on the roof of a 2,000-square-foot house. Without proper grading, gutters, and downspouts, some of this water flows into the basement. The below-grade water table will also rise due to flooding or seasonal site conditions. This is why exterior and interior drain tile systems are recommended around basement walls even in sandy or gravel soils.

Interior Moisture Sources

Moisture is generated inside of basements from people and their activities. Common sources are humidifiers, unvented clothes dryers, showering, and cooking. When basements are finished, these activities increase. Another source that can be thought of as internal is the moisture contained in new concrete after construction. In a typical house, this can amount to 0.2 gallons per square foot of wall, and 0.1 gallons per square foot of floor. It may take many months or even years for a new house to come into equilibrium with its environment.

Ventilation with Humid Outside Air

In the summertime, basement windows may be opened for fresh air. If the outside air is warm and humid, it will condense on the cool basement wall and floor surfaces. Many homeowners see this moisture and believe they are experiencing basement wall leakage, when in fact the accumulated moisture is from condensation.

Simple Condensation Test

There is a simple test for this if you suspect condensation might be the problem in your basement. Securely tape a 10" x 10" piece of plastic wrap onto the basement wall in an area where you have noticed dampness, sealing the edges of the plastic wrap with the tape. Check on the plastic over the next few days. Eventually you will get moisture: if the moisture is on the wall side of the plastic, you have a leak; if the moisture is on the room side of the plastic, you have a condensation problem.

wet basement causes