We asked, you answered: These are the top home maintenance issues homeowners are facing right now

Homeownership can be a joy and point of pride – but it also comes with a seemingly never-ending to do list. Regardless of the age of your home, recent upgrades, or maintenance needs, there’s always another task to check off. 

We at Quartermaster wanted to hear from you about these maintenance challenges; which tasks do you feel you have a handle on, and which have kept you up at night? What type of repair seems to pose the most common headache for homeowners, and what are the biggest barriers to simply getting started?

To find out, we polled 173 Canadian homeowners for their thoughts. Here’s what they had to say:

More than half of homeowners have experienced a “repair emergency” within the last year

According to the data, a whopping 64.7% of respondents said they had to deal with a home maintenance or repair emergency within the past 12 months.

Over 70% have had to deal with a water-related issue

Water-related damage was by far the most prevalent type of problem. Non-flood-related plumbing events made up the lion’s share, with 47.5% responses. That was followed by flood-related issues including basement floods and sewer backups at 24.6%; combined, that accounts for 72.1% of respondents.

Given the severity and frequency of rain storms has been on the rise in Canada – flooding events cost a historic $2.4 billion in insured losses in 2025 – it’s not surprising that homeowners are having to contend most with water-related challenges.

The good news is, there are measures homeowners can take to keep their home watertight; ensuring your gutters and downspout are clear is a first line of defense in that it helps runoff water flow away from your property and foundation. 

Monitoring your home’s grading over time (it should slope away from your home), and leveling the soil when it deteriorates helps keep water from seeping into your basement in the case of overland floods. Installing a backwater valve and sump pump are also effective ways to prevent flooding due to sewer backup; Toronto homeowners can even get the cost covered under the City of Toronto’s Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy.

Roofing issues account for 23% of homeowner headaches

Roofing and exterior issues were the next most-common issue homeowners have had to deal with, accounting for 23% of respondents. Roof damage can creep up over time as shingles age, but also can require immediate attention due to falling branches, hail storms, and even rapidly expanding ice.

Visually inspecting your roof several times a year (from the ground with binoculars if need be) can help spot developing issues before they become urgent fixes. Also keep an eye out for signs of roof wear on the ground; rusted nails and bits of shingles can be a sign that your roof is nearing its lifespan.

21.3% have had to deal with an electrical fix

Ensuring your home is safely wired up to code is crucial; according to the Electrical Safety Authority, risk of electrical injury around the home have been on the rise in recent years as new technologies change the way we generate, store and use electricity. Meanwhile, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs reports electrical problems account for roughly 4,000 home fires annually (about 20% of all residential fires).

Overloaded circuits, outdated wiring or faulty switches (feel them for unusual warmth) are among the most common electrical issues found in the home. Warning signs include breakers that constantly trip even when under low electrical load, burning odours or buzzing noises near outlets, or receiving mild shocks when touching appliance casings or metal fixtures.

9.8%: have had a problem with their foundation

Foundation problems can be among the most catastrophic and costly to fix. They can affect any age of home, but century houses can be at the highest risk; they’ve withstood literal decades of storms and soil movement, which can lead to settlement – when the house shifts and sinks into the soil around it. Top signs of this can be visible cracks in your foundation, uneven floors, and sticky doorways and window frames.

These home management issues are often on homeowners’ radars, even as they worsen over time. According to the data, 42.6% of respondents said they had had relevant maintenance done within one to two years of the emergency.

The biggest home maintenance challenges

When it comes to staying on top of their home’s needs, cost is a major factor. In fact, 20.4% of respondents said they don't feel prepared financially or practically for a repair or emergency, and another 34.3% indicating cost was the biggest barrier to addressing a known maintenance issue.

Finding a trustworthy contractor was also top of mind for homeowners, with 44.2% indicating it was their biggest challenge. Not knowing where to start was the top reason for 13.4%, while 3.5% stated they simply don’t have the time.

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Methodology:
This survey was conducted over a one-month period from August 17 to September 17, 2026. A total of 173 respondents completed the survey, answering 15 questions about their experiences and challenges with home maintenance.