In the latest development signaling a shift in how Toronto property owners approach water damage prevention, Eddy Smart Home Solutions has reported a remarkable increase in device installations across the city. During a walkthrough of a newly equipped midtown condominium yesterday, I noticed firsthand how these smart water monitoring systems have evolved from novelty gadgets to essential home protection tools.
“We’ve seen installation requests double over the past six months,” explained Sarah Nguyen, Operations Director at Eddy Smart Home Solutions. “Toronto’s property managers are increasingly recognizing that water damage prevention technology isn’t just nice-to-have anymore – it’s becoming standard practice.”
The surge comes amid rising insurance premiums and growing awareness of climate-related water risks. After the flash flooding we experienced last spring that affected hundreds of Toronto homes, property managers and homeowners alike have been seeking proactive solutions.
The technology itself is surprisingly straightforward. The system I observed consisted of unobtrusive sensors placed near potential water leak sources – behind toilets, under sinks, and near washing machines – connected to a central hub that alerts owners via smartphone if moisture is detected.
Toronto-based property management company Westbrook Properties has implemented these systems across 70% of their residential portfolio. “After dealing with three major water damage incidents last year alone, the decision to invest in preventative technology was simple math,” noted Marcus Chen, Westbrook’s Chief Operations Officer. “The average restoration cost was running around $45,000 per incident, not counting displaced residents and administrative headaches.”
What’s particularly interesting about this trend is how quickly it’s moved beyond luxury buildings. The Toronto Real Estate Board reports that mentions of “smart water monitoring” in property listings has increased 35% year-over-year, appearing in homes across various price points.
City officials have taken notice too. The Toronto Water Conservation Program launched an initiative last month offering rebates of up to $125 for homeowners who install approved water monitoring systems.
“We’re seeing interest from all types of property owners,” said Jordan Williams, a product specialist with Eddy Solutions whom I met at a recent home innovation expo. “From individual condo owners to property management companies overseeing dozens of buildings. The technology has finally hit that sweet spot of affordability and reliability.”
Walking through Toronto’s Liberty Village last week, I counted three separate installation vans for various smart home water systems. It’s a visible sign of the growing market.
For perspective on the broader implications, I reached out to Dr. Amina Patel at the University of Toronto’s Urban Infrastructure Institute. “Smart water monitoring represents a significant shift in how we approach infrastructure resilience,” she explained. “Rather than simply responding to water damage events, we’re moving toward a predictive model where problems can be identified before major damage occurs.”
The numbers are compelling. According to insurance data shared by the Insurance Bureau of Canada, water damage accounts for approximately 48% of home insurance claims in the Greater Toronto Area, with an average claim value of $43,000.
However, not everyone is convinced the technology is worth the investment. “I’ve had two quotes for systems and I’m still on the fence,” admitted Tony Moretti, a homeowner in East York I spoke with while researching this story. “The installation costs aren’t insignificant, and I wonder about false alarms or system reliability.”
Condo boards throughout Toronto are increasingly mandating these systems, particularly in buildings that have experienced water damage incidents. The Harbourfront Towers Condominium Corporation recently completed installation throughout their 340-unit complex after a single pipe burst in 2022 resulted in damages exceeding $230,000.
As someone who’s covered Toronto’s property market for over a decade, the rapid adoption of this technology represents a notable shift in how homeowners and property managers are approaching risk management. While smart home features were once primarily about convenience or energy savings, we’re now seeing practical applications focused on property protection becoming mainstream.
Whether this trend continues depends on several factors: continued technological improvements, insurance company incentives, and real-world performance of these systems over time. But for now, it appears that smart water monitoring has found solid footing in Toronto’s property landscape.
And if you’re considering such a system for your own home, the current rebate programs and potential insurance discounts make this an opportune time to explore your options.
