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Is Basement Moisture a Leak, or Humidity?

Q: My basement stays fairly dry, but in the spring and during other really rainy periods I can see the concrete walls are wet. Is it condensation or water leaking inside? I haven’t seen any puddles of water on the floor, but it is really humid at these times. — Bill in upstate New York

A: There’s an easy way to test whether the moisture on the basement walls is seepage (water leaking inside) or condensation. Get a few large squares of aluminum foil and tape them to random spots on the basement walls and floor. Use water-resistant tape and completely co...