Water damage is one of the fastest-growing risks for managed properties, and the financial consequences are only getting larger. In 2024, insured damage from severe weather in Canada reached a record-breaking C$8.5 billion, much of it driven by flooding and water-related events. However, not all costly water damage comes from extreme weather. In many buildings, the biggest risks start much smaller - an unnoticed leak in a plumbing line, a slow drip in a service room, or excess humidity behind walls. Left unchecked, these seemingly minor issues can spread quickly, leading to the same expensive repairs, operational disruptions, and frustrated tenants.
For managers overseeing multiple buildings, this reactive approach is both inefficient and expensive. The good news is that prevention technology now makes it possible to act on early warning signs, shifting water management from reactive to proactive.