Common problems in condos in Québec

Key figures

Interior Walls: a problem noted in 42% of inspections of condos in Québec.
Interior Piping & Materials: a problem noted in 42% of inspections of condos in Québec.
Siding (Wood, Vinyl, Fiber Cement): a problem noted in 38% of inspections of condos in Québec.

What stands out compared with Québec

Here, problems closely follow the Québec average: no component differs by 5 points or more. On average, the inspector notes problems in 7 parts of the house, versus 21 across Québec.

Component by component

The percentage is the share of inspections where the inspector noted at least one problem in that part of the house. For example, 42% for “Interior Walls” means 42 inspections out of 100. Open a line to see what is found there most often, and what to do.

Interior Walls42%
serious in 10% of cases
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Water stains on walls
- Cracks in drywall
- Cosmetic damage
What you can do
A crack or a mark is often cosmetic, but a water stain has a cause: ask where it came from and whether it was fixed.
Interior Piping & Materials42%
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Worn or missing seals
- No water hammer arrestors
- Leaks
What you can do
Look under the sinks during the visit. A small leak that lasts damages cabinets and floors.
Siding (Wood, Vinyl, Fiber Cement)38%
serious in 22% of cases
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Cladding too close to the ground
- Cracked mortar and blocked weep holes (brick)
- Exposed base of the walls (sill plate, rim joist)
What you can do
During the visit, walk around the house and look at the bottom of the walls: that is where water and moisture do the most damage.
Balconies, Decks & Terraces29%
serious in 29% of cases
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Missing, low or unstable guardrail
- Unprotected posts and supports
- Wood needing upkeep, missing joist hangers
What you can do
First a safety issue, especially with children. A guardrail is a quick fix; a rotten balcony structure costs much more.
Main Electrical Panel29%
serious in 14% of cases
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Grounding not found or not visible
- Missing panel door or cover plate
- Poorly anchored service mast
What you can do
Ask for the age and make of the panel: some older models are refused by insurers. An electrician can confirm the grounding.
Bathroom Plumbing & Fixtures29%
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Loose or rocking toilet
- Worn shower or tub seals
- Loose or leaking fixtures
What you can do
Look at the base of the shower and around the toilet: a worn seal lets water into the floor long before it shows.
Electrical Outlets & Receptacles25%
serious in 33% of cases
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Outlets near water without GFCI protection
- Missing cover plates
- Exposed wires or open junction boxes
- Reversed polarity
What you can do
Usually small fixes, but they are about safety. Get a quote from a master electrician before you sign.
Flashing & Solins25%
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Dry, cracked or missing caulking
- Sealant to redo around windows and doors
- Poorly installed flashing
What you can do
Worn caulking is routine, inexpensive upkeep. Letting it go lets water into the walls.
Kitchen Plumbing & Fixtures25%
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Loose faucet
- Leaks under the sink
- Worn seals around the sink
What you can do
Open the cabinet under the sink during the visit: stains, swollen wood or a smell give away an old leak.
Air Exchanger (HRV/ERV)25%
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- No air exchanger in a newer house
- Dirty filters
- Unit missing or not working
What you can do
An airtight house needs an air exchanger to remove moisture. Clean the filters a few times a year.
Interior Windows25%
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Missing opening limiter (child safety)
- Faulty opening mechanism
- Stains or mould at the bottom of the windows
What you can do
Open and close a few windows during the visit. Stains at the bottom of the frame often point to condensation.
Drainage / Waste System21%
serious in 20% of cases
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Backwater valve not found
- Ageing cast iron drain pipes
- Cleanout not located
What you can do
The backwater valve keeps sewage from backing up into the basement. Know where it is and service it every year.
Water Heater21%
serious in 20% of cases
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Water heater 10 years or older
- No drain pan
- Missing discharge pipe
What you can do
Check the date on the label. After 10 years, many insurers ask for a replacement, and a leaking tank can flood the basement.
Foundation21%
serious in 20% of cases
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Cracks in the foundation walls
- Missing or damaged parging
- Efflorescence (white deposits) and exposed form ties
What you can do
Most cracks are harmless shrinkage cracks. Ones that widen, run in steps or let water in need a specialist’s opinion.
Exterior Windows21%
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Not enough clearance under the windows
- Fogged sealed units (failed seal)
- Windows at end of life, worn weatherstripping
What you can do
Ask how old the windows are. A fogged sealed unit can be replaced on its own, without changing the whole window.
GFCI / Ground Fault Protection17%
serious in 50% of cases
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- GFCI outlets missing near water
- Missing weatherproof covers outside
- Faulty GFCI
What you can do
A GFCI outlet cuts the power when current leaks to ground. Near water and outdoors, it is essential and inexpensive protection.
Soffits17%
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Exhaust fans venting into the soffits
- Missing or damaged sections
- Soffit venting not verifiable
What you can do
Humid bathroom air should go outside, not into the soffit, where it gets drawn back into the attic.
Air Conditioning17%
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Damaged insulation on the outdoor lines
- Poorly placed condensate drain
- Unit not tested because of the season
What you can do
An air conditioner cannot be tested in every season. Ask how old the unit is and when it was last serviced.
Water Supply (Main Entry)17%
serious in 25% of cases
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Main water entry or shut-off not found
- Pipes exposed to freezing
- Low water flow
What you can do
Know where the main shut-off is from day one: in a leak, it is what saves the basement. In the country, ask for the well and septic records.
Smoke Detectors17%
serious in 25% of cases
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Missing carbon monoxide alarm
- Missing or outdated smoke alarms
- Not enough alarms for the house
What you can do
A smoke alarm should be replaced every 10 years. It is the cheapest fix on the list: do it when you move in.
Bathroom Ventilation17%
serious in 25% of cases
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Missing, weak or faulty fan
- Fan not vented outside
- Duct emptying into the attic
What you can do
Without good ventilation, shower moisture ends up as mould. Turn the fan on during the visit.
Interior Doors13%
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Doors that do not close well
- Damaged weatherstripping
- Missing door stops
What you can do
Usually minor adjustments. Several sticking doors at once can, however, point to structural movement.
Contamination (Asbestos, Mold, etc.)13%
serious in 67% of cases
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Spots that look like mould
- Materials that may contain asbestos, depending on the year built
- Musty smell
- Old oil heating system
What you can do
Only a lab test confirms asbestos or mould. Before renovating a house built before 1990, have the materials tested.
Gutters & Downspouts13%
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Downspouts that drain too close to the foundation
- Gutters clogged with debris
- Missing or damaged gutters
What you can do
A small job with a big stake: roof water dropped at the foot of the wall often ends up in the basement. Downspout extensions cost little.
Primary Heating System13%
What is found and what to do
What inspectors note most often
- Ageing heating system
- Mechanical thermostats
- Dirty filter
What you can do
Ask how old the system is and for the service records. An end-of-life unit is best replaced before winter, not during it.

These are frequencies in similar homes, not a diagnosis of yours. Only an inspection can tell you what is really there. How I count.

42% of inspections of condos in Québec turn up at least one serious problem.

A hazard, something urgent, or work for a specialist. And on average, the inspector notes problems in 7 parts of the house.

Better to know before you sign.

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These figures are for information only. They come from real inspection reports, but they are not legal advice, a professional opinion on any specific property, or a guarantee. For a purchase decision, rely on the inspection of the home and, if needed, a notary or a lawyer.