Small habits, fewer plumbing calls
Most bathroom plumbing problems build up slowly. Hair collects in a floor trap, sealant cracks along the edge of the shower, a mixer starts to drip, or a cistern runs a little longer after each flush. None of these feel urgent on day one, but they are behind many choked drains and leaks.
This article covers the preventive checks you can do yourself. It does not explain how plumbers fix each problem. For that, the choked drain guide, the toilet repair guide and the tap replacement guide go into detail.
Keep drains and floor traps clear
Hair, soap residue and grit are the usual causes of a slow shower or basin. A little prevention goes a long way.
- Use a hair catcher: place a simple mesh or silicone catcher over the shower drain and empty it after use.
- Keep the floor trap cover on: it stops larger debris from entering the pipe. Lift and rinse it every week or so.
- Clean the basin stopper: pull it out and remove hair and residue regularly.
- Run hot water occasionally: a short flush of hot tap water helps loosen soap build-up.
Avoid pouring cooking oil, grease or paint down any drain, and do not rely on strong chemical drain cleaners as routine maintenance. If a drain is still slow after cleaning the stopper and cover, the choke may be further down the pipe.
What not to flush
The toilet is designed for human waste and toilet paper only. Many chokes come from items that do not break down in water.
- Wet wipes, including those labelled flushable.
- Sanitary products, cotton buds and cotton pads.
- Paper towels, tissues in large amounts and kitchen roll.
- Dental floss, hair and food scraps.
- Cat litter and nappies.
Keep a small bin with a lid in the bathroom so there is always an easy alternative. If children use the bathroom, a simple reminder near the toilet can help.
Check sealant and grout
Silicone sealant along the shower screen, the basin edge and the bathtub keeps water where it belongs. Over time it can crack, peel or grow black mould. Grout between tiles can also wear or crack, especially on the floor.
Look along these lines every few months. Signs to act on include gaps between the sealant and the surface, sealant that lifts when you press it, black mould deep in the bead rather than on the surface, and cracked or missing grout. Small sections can often be resealed. Wider damage, loose tiles or damp patches on the walls outside the bathroom suggest water may be getting behind the surface, and that is worth having checked.
Taps, mixers and drips
A tap that drips after you close it firmly usually has a worn washer, cartridge or seal. It wastes water and can leave limescale stains on the basin.
Check each tap and mixer in turn. Close it firmly and watch the spout for a minute. Look under the basin at the flexible hoses and connections for damp or corrosion. Clean the aerator at the tip of the spout if the flow has weakened.
Do not overtighten a tap to stop a drip, since that can damage the parts further. If the drip continues, a repair or replacement is the right fix.
Many companies publish rates for tap work. The table shows the lowest matching rate each company publishes, with the source and capture date. These are advertised rates with conditions, not quotes, and they may not include the tap itself.
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published tap replacement and repair rates
For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published rates from 13 companies run from S$60 to S$130. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a market average or a quote.
See 13 published tap rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SG1 Plumber Singapore | Water Tap Replacement | S$60 per job | sg1plumber.com |
| Huat Plumbing | Tap / Faucet Repair | From S$70 per job | huatplumbing.sg |
| Prima Technologies Pte. Ltd. (Prima Services) | Tap / Faucet Repair | From S$70 per job | primaservices.sg |
| All Plumbing | Fix leaking tap or faucet | From S$80 per job | allplumbing.sg |
| Crizto Singapore Pte Ltd | Basin/Sink Tap | S$80 per job | crizto.com |
| Plumber - Singapore Plumbing 24hrs | Supply Labour to replace kitchen sink/basin tap (normal type) | From S$80 per job | singaporeplumbing24hrs.com.sg |
| PW Plumbing Services | Tap Installation | S$80 to S$120 per job | pwplumbing.com.sg |
| Active Plumbing Singapore | Replace kitchen sink/ basin tap (normal type) | From S$90 per job | activeplumbing.sg |
| Ace Plumbing Specialist | Replace kitchen sink / bathroom tap / faucet (basic type) | From S$110 per job | aceplumbing.sg |
| NILE Plumbing | Replace Sink/Basin Tap | From S$120 per job | nileplumbingsg.com |
| Best Plumbing | Replace kitchen sink/ Bathroom tap / faucet (basic type) | From S$130 per job | bestplumbing.com.sg |
| SR Power Plumber Pte. Ltd. | Replace kitchen sink / bathroom tap / faucet (basic type) | From S$130 per job | srpowerplumber.com |
| Summer Plumbing Service | 7. Replace kitchen sink/ Bathroom tap / faucet (basic type) | From S$130 per job | sgplumbing.com.sg |
NEXT STEP
See what tap repair and replacement involve and what to ask the plumber.
Read the tap replacement guideToilet cistern checks
A toilet that keeps running or refills on its own wastes water and can hide a worn part.
- Listen after flushing. The cistern should fill and then go quiet.
- Lift the lid and check whether the float moves freely.
- Look for water trickling into the bowl long after a flush.
- Check the base of the bowl and the connection at the wall for damp.
If the float is stuck or the flush valve does not seal, do not force parts. A plumber can replace the inner fittings, often without changing the whole toilet.
Water heater checks
Look at your water heater every so often. Check for drips at the pipe connections, rust marks, water stains on the wall or ceiling below and any change in how hot the water gets. A heater that trips the power, makes unusual noises or leaks should be switched off and checked.
When to call a plumber
Call a plumber when a drain is still slow after your own checks, when a leak keeps coming back, or when fittings, pipes or a water heater need replacing. For water-supply and sanitary plumbing work, read PUB's guidance on plumbing works for which work needs a licensed plumber, and ask the company who will do it.
NEXT STEP
Area pages list the plumbing companies that name your town on their own websites.
See plumbers serving SengkangQuestions
How can I stop my shower drain from choking?
Use a hair catcher, keep the floor trap cover on and rinse it regularly, and avoid pouring oil or grease down the drain. If it is still slow after cleaning, call a plumber.
Are flushable wet wipes safe to flush?
It is safer not to. Wet wipes, including those labelled flushable, can cause chokes. Flush only human waste and toilet paper, and keep a lidded bin in the bathroom.
How often should I check bathroom sealant?
Look along the sealant and grout every few months. Reseal small gaps, and have wider damage, loose tiles or damp walls checked in case water is getting behind the surface.
Prices come only from the sourced company rates in the HomezyPro directory, shown with each company and capture date.