Do you have a wet basement?

There is nothing worse than walking down to basement to find water at the bottom of the steps.  That may be a bit severe, but as a home inspector, we find signs of water intrusion quite often. Whether its a complete flooding, or just a pooling of water, the damage can be enormous.

If your buying a home, you probably would like to know if there is a current water problem in the basement, and if there has been a past problem. If you walk into the basement and see any water, well that's a dead giveaway that there is a problem. But what are the other signs to help determine if there is a water problem.
Some things to look for:

Musty odor - If the basement has an ongoing water problem the odor will stay around for some time.

Efflorescence -When water soaks into concrete, it leaches out the salt and mineral deposits within the concrete. The dry, white, chalky residue left behind is known as efflorescence. It can usually be seen on the basement walls. It is one of the best indicators of a wet basement, since the efflorescence can pinpoint where the water is entering the basement.

Spalling - Water in a concrete wall can cause the concrete to flake away, creating a hole or pocket in the wall.

Mold - Mold can lie dormant for a long time and all it takes is a bit of water to bring it to life.  Mold can be a major headache, not to mention a health risk.

Sump Hole - If a basement has a sump pump, that's a pretty good indication that there is water infiltration to the basement. The buyer should find out how often the pump runs. 

Horizontal Cracks - Poor drainage and grading of soil around a structure can cause water to drain slowly. This water will saturate the ground around the foundation walls, causing an increase in hydrostatic (water) pressure. As the combined forces of hydrostatic pressure and the natural weight of the soils surrounding the foundation bear down, it can exceed the weight-bearing capacity of the walls, causing them to crack, bow, or shear.

Regardless of what the cause is, water in the basement usually leads to larger and more complicated issues.  Always ensure that the basement is dry, or find out why not.  This can help determine whether you should buy the home or not.