It is impossible for home inspectors to determine if water or moisture penetration will pose a problem in the future on the basis of a one time inspection. As a home buyer you should obtain a sworn statement from the sellers detailing the frequency and severity of water infiltration that has occurred in the past.

Trust no one. In 13 years of home inspection experience, during 7,000 +/- I have never once heard an owner or Realtor indicate a home has a water "problem". I have been told the water only gets about this high (place hand on hip) and or it only gets a little water when it rains hard. Come on, get real!

The vast majority of basement leakage problems are the result of insufficient control of storm water at the surface. The ground around the house should be sloped to encourage water to flow away from the foundations. Gutters and downspouts should act to collect roof water and drain the water at least five (5) feet from the foundation, or into a functional storm sewer. Downspouts that are clogged or broken below grade level, or that discharge too close to the foundation, are the most common sources of basement leakage.

In the event that basement leakage problems are experienced, lot and roof drainage improvements should be undertaken as a first step. Please beware of contractors who recommend expensive solutions. Excavation, damp-proofing and/or the installation of drainage tiles may be necessary.