Wet Insulation in basement wall 8 y/o house

[Matilda99]

I noticed a section of my basement wall is wet 5 foot wide area. I have poured concrete walls, with the batted insulation with barrier, that covers the top 4 feet of the wall.
Bottom 4 feet is bare concrete wall.
When I first built the house... 8 years ago, all the walls showed some condensation. But I solved that with a fan and a dehumidifier.
But the house is 8 years old... I haven't seen condensation for years?? (That I've noticed)
I can see the water just on the inside of the plastic... and accumulation is collecting across the bottom seam.
Now this only 1 section of wall. There is no plumbing near by. I pulled the barrier back a bit at the top, and the floor joists and header joist look dry.

Is this still possible with an 8 year old home?
I guess I should also check the humidity level.

Thoughts??

[Maymybonneliveforever]

When I first built the house... 8 years ago, all the walls showed some condensation.Based on that statement I'll assume you built the home yourself or you were the contractor? If so then you'll know that when you fill the walls with poured concrete you need to bolt the forms together, then remove the bolts and fill in the holes, it's possible they maybe leaking from there. The only way you'll know is when you remove the insulation back to view exactly where it's leaking from. If you were the contractor, what type of warranty did your foundation contractors give you?

[Matilda99]

Sorry... bad wording. I paid a builder to build the house. I didn't actually build it myself.
Dont recall the warranty either... I will have to pull the package book.
I would like to see behind the insulation. But I'll have to wreck the mounting tabs as they are tabbed into the concrete.

[steve-0101]

Are you noticing this on hot days? Is your A/C on high? Is the wall showing the condensation getting a lot of sun?

[Bullseye]

Same problem, 10 year old house. Only on hot wall on super humid days. Joist is dry, A/C on high. I'm assuming it's high humidity in basement, and I need to get a dehumidifier. Although it could possibly be water working it's way down from big rain storm day before, through the form holes.

[Maymybonneliveforever]

I noticed a section of my basement wall is wet 5 foot wide area.
Now this only 1 section of wall. There is no plumbing near by. I pulled the barrier back a bit at the top, and the floor joists and header joist look dry.
I guess I should also check the humidity level.

Thoughts??If you have a wet area in only one 5' section that I can't see it being humidity affecting only one small section and not the rest. Yes your basement could have high humidity and if you turn on the a/c or have a dehumidifier that will help lower the relative humidity.

At this point members are only guessing as am I, the only way you'll know for sure is to open up the area and view where the leak is comming from, guesses won't identify your problem.

If you do open the area up and still can't figure it out then post a picture so we can give a more educated response.

[Zamboni]

True, since its only a 5' section it doesn't sound like humidity/condensation. Is there a window or window well nearby? Guessing its an unsealed or poorly sealed framing hole as suggested or related to a window...homeowners are often suprised at what's behind the builders blanket insulation when its removed to finish a basement.

"I would like to see behind the insulation. But I'll have to wreck the mounting tabs as they are tabbed into the concrete."

Don't touch the metal strapping or concrete anchors at the bottom of the insulation blanket. Look up-is the plastic wrapping the blanket stapled to the sill plate?

[Bullseye]

True, since its only a 5' section it doesn't sound like humidity/condensation. Is there a window or window well nearby? Guessing its an unsealed or poorly sealed framing hole as suggested or related to a window...homeowners are often suprised at what's behind the builders blanket insulation when its removed to finish a basement.

"I would like to see behind the insulation. But I'll have to wreck the mounting tabs as they are tabbed into the concrete."

Don't touch the metal strapping or concrete anchors at the bottom of the insulation blanket. Look up-is the plastic wrapping the blanket stapled to the sill plate?

That's a good tip, I've been hesitant to rip it off thus far, as it looks like a pain to put back up. But if I could remove staples at top and fold down, that would be easy to put it back up. Didn't even think of it.

[Matilda99]

OK... I got concerned/curious last night. I pulled all the stapled connections at the top, in/around the floor joists...
I did this for about a 10 foot span. I pulled out the insulation from inside the floor joists/headers. Bone dry. Not even a trace of water stains.
From there I was able to pull back on this barrier insulation. (Still strapped at the bottom) and I was clearly able to see the concrete wall in behind
the "wet area". The concrete and the insulation is bone dry. No signs of previous water either. The insulation does not feel damp either.

It has been extremely humid lately. My A/C is on... it's a digital stat set at 25 deg. It stays there 24/7.
And I have not had the windows open for well over 2 weeks. I have the vents in the basement opened a crack. Else it gets really cold.
I ran the humidifier last night. Got 1/2 a bucket. Humidity dropped from 64 to 58%.
Plastic/insulation looks a little drier today...

Oh yes...this a Souht/East facing wall. My neighbour is 10 feet away... so I'm not sure how much sun the wall actually gets.

I'm thinking humidty... I have a book on my house. I'll take a picture... add some notes, and then put it in the book.
I'll leave the humidifer going.... and see what happens. I'm sure it will dry out.

Thanks all.