SirGSS

Call me crazy, but taking it back a step--In the time you've been in the home, how often has it rained as hard as it did when this happened? Also, as has been asked, is the floor cracked? If it is, are there any other cracked locations? Check those for any kind of pooling like this.

If it isn't cracked at all, check how close it is to a window. Could the fluid have dripped in through some kind of leak, there? If that's out of the question, then it has to be coming from inside the home. It doesn't make any sense for it to be coming from elsewhere if all those other factors line up in a negative.

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nealtw

If all else failed get annillized by a lab. If it turns out to be fracking fluid. Some of that stuff is top secret. The lab report might be worth a little to some one.

Rjq909

I live just outside of Pittsburgh, east suburb and have encountered this very same issue tonight.

We found oil in the basement and are not able to determine a source. It was a small area of black oil in a small circle about 1.5 feet in diameter.

To the original poster here, were you ever able to determine a source, or cause?

Everyone else, any ideas?

This area of the basement does not have any garbage cans. It does have a top-loading washer, but no leaks identified.

Gas furnace and water heater are in the area, but no leaks found and no trail of oil, or water from any of the appliances. Seems very very odd.

lily694

this is a good possibility..

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paul1

I am having the exact same issue in our basement. I am completely dumbfounded as to where this oil came from.

nealtw

Any chance you or a neighbour having an oil tank leaking into the ground water?

joc1762

I have the same problem...greasey spot reoccurs everytime I clean it up...I thought it was coming from a crack on the front porch...NOPE...not that!

nealtw

If the oil is comming thru the floor. Last I herd oil floats so that would mean water is puing it up. I would find where I could check the perimiter dain around the house and see if oil is there also. Or just dig a hole close to the house to below floor level and see of oil is floating on water there. If the hole is dry putting water in should show if oil has been there, ( film on top of water)
And Joc: welcome.

oldognewtrick

Interesting point Neal, I wonder if the used motor oil didn't make it's way to the recycle center?

nealtw

There might be an old oil tank on the property or even the neigbours house.
http://inspectapedia.com/oiltanks/tankaudt.htm