Funny you mention tracking when it happens—I did that with a notepad for a week and realized the puddle only showed up after running the dishwasher. Turned out to be a cracked pipe behind the wall. Sometimes it’s not about rain at all, just sneaky plumbing.
I’ve seen that kind of thing more times than I can count. Folks always want to blame the weather, but honestly, indoor leaks are way more common than most realize. One time, I spent two days tracing a “mystery” puddle—turned out to be a pinhole leak in a copper line from the upstairs bathroom. If you’re noticing water only after certain appliances run, it’s almost never a drain outside. First step? Run each fixture one at a time and check for drips or fresh spots. Don’t trust that it’s just rainwater—plumbing can surprise you.
Had a tenant once swear up and down it was just “bad grading” outside causing their basement puddles. Turned out their washing machine drain hose had popped loose behind the wall—every spin cycle, like clockwork, more water. Took forever to find because it only happened after laundry day. Sometimes it’s the sneaky stuff right under your nose, not the rain or gutters. Plumbing’s got a sense of humor, I swear.
