Many Canadian homeowners are unprepared for repair emergencies, despite being winter-ready.

A recent survey by Service Line Warranties of Canada (SLWC) reveals that 76 per cent of Canadian homeowners have dealt with at least one home repair emergency over the past year. Despite this high frequency of repair issues, nearly one-third of respondents reported having $500 or less set aside — or nothing at all — for home repairs.

Home repair emergencies on the rise

The survey found that while the number of homeowners facing repair emergencies has dropped slightly from last year’s peak of 80 per cent, the rate remains alarmingly high. The most common repair issues reported by homeowners involved appliance failure (29 per cent) and HVAC systems (26 per cent), followed by blocked sinks (19 per cent), toilets (18 per cent) and leaking water pipes (17 per cent).

Lack of financial preparedness

Almost 30 per cent of homeowners have minimal or no savings for unexpected repairs, with 6.0 per cent having only $500 set aside, 9.0 per cent having less than $500 and 12.5 per cent having nothing saved for home repairs.

This lack of preparedness puts many homeowners at risk when emergencies arise, as these repairs can often come with significant costs.

DIY vs. hiring a professional

The survey also explored homeowners’ approach to tackling emergency repairs. The vast majority of respondents prefer hiring professionals, particularly for complex systems: 92 per cent would hire a professional for heating or air conditioning repairs, 90 per cent would leave water supply line replacements to experts and 89.5 per cent would hire a professional to install water heaters.

However, homeowners feel more confident handling smaller tasks themselves, such as installing shower heads (82 per cent), light fixtures (75 per cent), kitchen appliances (60.5 per cent) and faucets (57.5 per cent).

Seasonal preparation: Winter and summer concerns

As Canadians prepare for seasonal weather changes, the survey found that many homeowners are taking proactive measures for the colder months, with 34.5 per cent fixing leaks around windows and doors, 31 per cent tuning up furnaces and 18 per cent installing smart thermostats. However, 27 per cent of homeowners reported not taking any steps to prepare for winter at all.

Key winter concerns include losing heat (29 per cent), pipes freezing or bursting (24 per cent) and power outages (22 per cent).

Conversely, in preparation for summer heat, 43 per cent of respondents avoided heat-generating activities during the hottest part of the day and 39 per cent turned off electronics when not in use. While 34.5 per cent tuned up air conditioners, 28 per cent switched to energy-efficient LED lights and 19.5 per cent installed portable air conditioning units.

Homeowners’ biggest worries

Homeowners’ concerns vary by season. In summer, severe weather (32 per cent) and air conditioning loss (20%) are top worries, while winter brings fears of heat loss (29 per cent) and frozen pipes (24 per cent).

With home emergencies becoming more common and many homeowners financially unprepared, it’s crucial to have a plan in place to address unexpected repair costs and keep homes safe and comfortable year-round.