Usually true, but I've seen old stains "wake up" again if humidity spikes or ventilation changes.
Had something similar happen in my basement. Thought I had a fresh leak because the stain kept looking darker after rainy days. Turned out it was just humidity making the old stain "wake up" again, like you said. A dehumidifier pretty much solved it for me.
I've noticed humidity can really mess with things, especially in basements or attics. Did you check if your basement walls were sealed or painted before you got the dehumidifier? Sometimes older paint or sealants absorb moisture and make stains look fresh again. Wondering if sealing the surface would help prevent this from happening again down the road...
Had a similar issue a few years back—kept seeing these damp-looking patches and couldn't figure out if they were new leaks or old stains resurfacing. Turned out the previous owner had used some cheap paint that just soaked up moisture like a sponge. Ended up scraping it off, sealing the walls properly, and repainting with waterproof paint. Haven't had any confusion since. Might be worth checking what kind of paint or sealant you've got down there...
Did sealing and repainting actually solve it long-term, or did you ever see hints of moisture again later on? Curious if paint alone can really handle moisture issues or if there's something deeper going on behind the walls...
Paint alone rarely solves moisture issues long-term, at least in my experience. Had a similar situation a few years back—noticed some bubbling paint and discoloration on one wall. Thought I'd just scrape, seal, repaint, and call it a day. It looked great for about six months, then slowly the same signs started creeping back in.
Turns out, there was a slow leak behind the drywall from a pipe joint that wasn't properly sealed. It wasn't enough to cause obvious dripping or pooling water, but just enough moisture to keep things damp behind the scenes. Paint and sealant can mask the symptoms temporarily, but if there's an underlying issue like plumbing leaks, condensation, or even poor insulation causing moisture buildup, it'll eventually show up again.
If you're seeing recurring moisture signs, I'd suggest checking behind the wall if possible. Maybe cut a small inspection hole or use a moisture meter to see what's really going on. Better to find out now than deal with mold or structural damage later.
