Who should fix a leak: plumber or waterproofing specialist?

Plumber vs waterproofing specialist side by side

The two trades fix different failures. This table uses what HDB and PUB publish.

Pipe leaks vs membrane failure

Pipe leaks

HDB says leaking pipe joints come from use and deterioration over time, or from impact, and advises engaging a licensed plumber for repairs where necessary. If there is a leak, HDB says to shut the stopcock at the PUB water sub-meter. PUB's meter guide says HDB water meters are along the common corridor near the unit entrance or at the staircase landing below the unit.

Membrane failure

HDB says ceiling leaks happen when water from the flat above seeps through the floor slab, usually from wear and tear of the waterproof membrane and screed. This is common in older buildings and typically occurs in toilets and bathrooms. In other words, a bathroom waterproofing leak in one flat shows up as a ceiling leak in the flat below. For first steps, see what to do about a ceiling leak.

Tests that tell them apart

Start with the water meter. PUB's tips on finding leaks say to turn off all taps and water-using appliances and watch the meter for at least 10 minutes. If the dial moves, there is a leak on the supply side.

PUB also suggests putting food colouring or a leak detection tablet into the cistern tank and watching the bowl for coloured water, and looking for dripping taps and water stains, mould or peeling material under the sink. PUB says to always engage a licensed plumber to detect and repair leaks.

A ceiling stain with a still meter needs a different check. For a leak between two flats, HDB says the contractor confirms the source and recommends a repair method.

HDB inter-floor leak process

HDB says flat owners are responsible for the upkeep of their own flats, including the floor and ceiling slabs. For a leak between two flats, HDB sets out these steps:

1. Talk to your upstairs neighbour about the leak.
2. Agree on a time for a check.
3. Engage a contractor jointly.
4. The contractor confirms the source and recommends a repair method.
5. Split the cost of the repair.

HDB says you negotiate the price and scope with the contractor yourself, and some leaks need more than one repair method. If you live on the topmost floor, the leak comes from the roof, which is common property, so contact the Town Council. For more, see ceiling leak from upstairs.

HDB's building works guidelines say bathrooms and toilets need pre-packed waterproofing screed and a waterproofing membrane before new floor finishes are laid, with the membrane turned up at least 150mm against walls and kerbs. HDB's renovation rules also say toilet floor and wall finishes provided by HDB or the developer must not be replaced for 3 years from the block's completion date.

See also the leaks and seepage FAQ.

What plumbers publish for leak repair

FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY

Published leak repair rates

For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published leak repair rates from 11 companies run from S$80 to S$250 per job (middle rate S$80), to repair one leak at an exposed pipe or fitting. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a quote.

See 11 published leak repair rates and sources

Lowest matching advertised rate per company, in SGD as published. "From" marks a starting price and ranges are shown in full. Check the source for minimums, GST and inclusions.

Company	Service as listed	Rate	Source
All Plumbing	Fix leaking tap or faucet	From S$80 per job	allplumbing.sg
AquaHero Plumbing	Repair Leaking Copper/UPVC Pipe	S$80 per job	aquahero-plumbing.sg
GD Plumbing	Repair toilet bowl leaking	From S$80 per job	gdplumbing.com.sg
Huat Plumbing	Water Leak Repair	From S$80 per job	huatplumbing.sg
Prima Technologies Pte. Ltd. (Prima Services)	Water Leak Repair	From S$80 per job	primaservices.sg
SG1 Plumber Singapore	Leak Copper Pipe Repair (Labor)	S$80 per job	sg1plumber.com
Sk Plumber	Stop leaks at the source - copper or UPVC exposed piping	From S$125 per job	sksplumber.com
SR Power Plumber Pte. Ltd.	Repair leak at exposed copper pipe or UPVC pipe (labour & material)	From S$190 per job	srpowerplumber.com
Ace Plumbing Specialist	Labour & material to repair leak at exposed copper or uPVC pipe	From S$230 per job	aceplumbing.sg
Best Plumbing	Labor & material to repair leak at exposed copper pipe or Upvc pipe	From S$250 per job	bestplumbing.com.sg
Summer Plumbing Service	Labor & material to repair leak at exposed copper pipe or Upvc pipe	From S$250 per job	sgplumbing.com.sg

In the directory, 11 companies publish a leak repair line, all priced per job. Their published rates, as printed, run from S$80 to S$250 per job, with S$80 in the middle. That middle figure is one company's published rate, not an average. The scope as printed is to repair one leak at an exposed pipe or fitting. For more on the job, see leak repair.

One line is "Fix leaking tap or faucet", from S$80 per job. Others are for exposed copper or unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) pipes. Three of the higher lines mention labour and material: from S$190, from S$230 and from S$250 per job. One line is S$125 per job.

No line covers concealed pipes, water damage or a burst main, so do not read these rates as the cost of a concealed or burst pipe. The directory has no waterproofing prices. Other jobs are covered under plumbing costs.

Which one should you choose?

• Plumber. The meter dial moves with everything off, or you can see a drip at a pipe or tap.
• Neighbour process first. There is a stain on your ceiling under the upstairs toilet and no supply leak. Follow HDB's steps and, with your neighbour, engage a contractor who does waterproofing.
• Source check first. You are unsure. Pick a contractor who can confirm the source before recommending a repair.

For a pipe or fitting leak, compare plumbers in the directory.

Questions