Basement Floor Dampness

[Vic99]

The concrete floor of my 1920 build house's basement gets large wet spots, 4 ft x 4 ft for example in about 15-20% of the floor.  It doesn't actually ever puddle.  I get mold of some of the stuff stored there.  The dampness seems to get larger a few days after rain, but I'm not entirely sure about that.  I imagine that the water from rain slowly flows underground and wicks through to the floor.

I do not have gutters on my house.

Do you imagine gutters would help?  French drain?  Machine to collect humidity?

Goal would be to keep everyone from getting sick - I have not traced illness to this, though - and to be able to store stuff there, mold free.

Thanks.

[red_pill]

Is it a humidity so bad it's pooling issue?  Or water coming into the house issue?  Or both?

I'm dealing with basement humidity now as well.  I got a humidistat at the hardware store for like $20 and it shows what % humidity the basement is.  From what I've read, 40 to 50% is supposed to be optimal.  I'm 53% up to 60% at times, so am looking for a used dehumidifier on Craigslist.