Need some advice from DU handyman/contractor/home experts

[vi5]

So I'm in a new home. The thing was finished in March and we moved in April and have been here since. During rain storms in April the basement was dry as a bone. Then this week I noted moisture on the floor in several spots where the basement floor meets the basement walls (the walls are cinderblock and have been painted with primer and water sealant paint), and also the bottom layer of cinder blocks closest to the floor are damp to the touch. Now my obvious worry is that this is water leakage from the outside. But here's the rub: It hasn't rained in about 4 or 5 days but it's been absurdly humid the past 2-3 days. Like I said the moisture is heaviest in corners and it also is on the lowest layer of cinderblocks. And I took a clump of 3 paper towels and wiped every part off and it didn't even really thoroughly soak the towel just dampened it. I just find it hard to believe (or more accurately I don't want it to be) that my basement has sprunk a leak in a month, especially after weathering previous heavy rain. And I also find it hard to believe that it would be seeping in through only the bottom layer of cinderblocks. But obviously it could be in both of those cases.

Any advice or way to tell? I'll probably buy a dehumidifier, and also I'm going to try the thing where you tape a piece of plastic wrap to the wall and if it gets moisture on the inside then it's coming in the walls but if on the outside then it's condensation. But figured I'd open this up to see if anyone had some tips/advice/etc.

[babylonsister]

1. You might find an answer in here, or ask here-lots of handy people:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=287

[NV Whino]

2. You might want to check the level of the water table in your area.

Could be the water table has risen from run-off after the rains.

[vi5]

3. Self kicking to see if the morning crowd has advice (nt)

[seemunkee]

4. This is new construction?

I assume you have some kind of warranty from the builder. You should contact them right away and get it documented that you are having moisture problems.

[vi5]

5. I plan on it....

But if it's just condensation there's really not much he can do about it I would assume.

[Misunderestimator]

6. I once had some mysterious leakage in one room in a cinder block

house I owned in FL. I finally figured out that one of the sprinklers in my sprinkler system had turned around and was directly spraying the house in that area. Must have been going on for weeks. I was amazed that a sprinkler could do that, but apparently spraying water directly at the blocks is not a very good idea. The dampness was similar to what you describe. Hardly even wet to the touch, but it was apparent that there was moisture at the bottom of the wall and the paint was beginning to peel away. Fixed the sprinkler, and problem was solved.

Sounds like your problem is more widespread though, so probably not such a simple answer.