Plumbing: poly-B and Kitec
Poly-B (grey flexible pipe, 1985–1997) and Kitec (orange/blue flexible pipe with brass fittings, 1995–2007) appear in entire Calgary neighbourhoods. Both are known failure systems and increasingly insurance-restricted. Identification at inspection is routine; the real question is insurance and replacement cost.
Electrical: aluminum branch wiring
Common in 1965–1976 Calgary homes (Lake Bonavista, Willow Park, Cedarbrae, inner-city). The risk is at terminations — outlets, switches, panel. Remediation is well-defined: AlumiConn connectors per device or full rewire. Insurance terms drive the urgency.
Envelope: attic frost, ice damming, grading
These are the trio of Calgary winter envelope issues. Attic frost and ice damming both stem from interior air leakage into the attic — the fix is air-sealing the ceiling plane, not adding ventilation or heat cables. Grading slumps every winter on Calgary clay; re-grading is annual maintenance.
Roof: end-of-life shingles
Calgary's UV, hail, and Chinook winds shorten asphalt-shingle life. 25-year shingles often need replacement at 18–22. Granule loss in downspouts is the early signal.
Mechanical: furnaces and hot water tanks
Furnaces in Calgary typically last 18–25 years; mid-efficiency units installed in the 1990s are now end-of-life. Hot water tanks fail faster than rated — Calgary's hard water leaves sediment that accelerates tank corrosion. A 12-year-old tank is on borrowed time.
Foundation: cracks on clay soils
Hairline vertical cracks are normal Calgary settlement. Horizontal cracks, inward bowing, or stair-step cracks with displacement warrant a structural engineer. Most foundation findings are monitor or minor-repair items, not structural failures.
Less common but serious
Undisclosed structural modifications in basement renovations (load-bearing walls removed without engineering), improperly vented gas appliances (CO risk), and significant past water damage hidden behind finishes. These warrant specialist follow-up before condition removal.
