Roof, gutters and walls
How do I spot a roof problem before it leaks?
Look up after a heavy downpour. Brown rings on the ceiling, peeling paint high on the walls, a musty attic or cracked tiles seen from the garden all suggest water is getting in. Our guide to a landed roof leak explains how to trace the source.
Why do blocked gutters cause so much damage?
Because the overflow has to go somewhere. When leaves or broken tile pieces block a gutter, rain spills down the facade, soaks window frames and can back up under the roof edge. A handyman can clear and flush gutters if you would rather not climb.
Are hairline cracks in external walls a worry?
Not always, but watch them. Fine plaster cracks can often be sealed and repainted. Mark both ends in pencil and check again a few weeks later. A crack that grows, leaks or runs diagonally from a window corner needs a contractor or engineer to look first.
Mosquitoes and pests
Where do mosquitoes breed around a landed house?
In any spot that holds still water. On a landed plot, start with blocked roof gutters, pot plates, upturned pails, folded tarpaulin in the car porch and the ledges around aircon condensers. Our guide on how to prevent mosquito breeding goes through each spot in turn.
What does NEA ask you to do?
Empty plant pot plates and change vase water every other day. NEA's preventive measures set that routine and say to scrub vase insides. NEA also says not to place trays or containers under or on an aircon unit, as they can let mosquitoes breed.
Should I call a pest control company?
Call one when the problem keeps returning or spreading. If you hire one, NEA says a Vector Control Operator may start work only after it is registered, must use licensed or certified technicians and workers, and should give you a service report and recommendations at agreed intervals.
Drains, sewers and flooding
How do I prepare for a landed house flood?
Keep compound drains choke-free and flood barriers ready. PUB's flood safety tips ask home owners to maintain drainage within the compound, keep flood barriers in good working condition and install them when there is a risk of flood. Follow PUB flood alerts on its Telegram channel or the myENV app.
Is the private sewer landed owners' responsibility?
Yes. PUB says private sewers, also called sanitary drain-lines, are owned by the premises' owners, who are responsible for maintaining them. For a choke, engage a contractor or contact PUB for advice. A contractor can also check that the lines are leak-free and properly connected to the public sewer.
Can I make my compound less flood-prone?
Yes. Clear the gratings over porch and garage drains and keep the gully at the gate free of leaves. PUB has videos on setting up inflatable flood bags and portable flood barriers, and our guide on how to flood-proof a landed home covers larger upgrades.
Solar and electrical
Is solar worth considering for a landed home?
Often, yes, since you control the whole roof. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) says solar energy can help consumers save costs, as it is generally comparable to or lower in cost than grid electricity, and you can offset your consumption or sell excess solar-generated electricity to the grid.
How can I pay for a solar system?
Through ownership or solar leasing, according to EMA. Owners pay the full cost upfront or a fixed monthly fee to banks. With leasing, you buy the power through a Power Purchase Agreement. Quotes depend on the system, so read our guide to solar panels for landed homes first.
Who should handle electrical work at a landed house?
An LEW. EMA's electrical safety page says all residential premises must have a Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) or Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30mA, and owners without one should engage an LEW to install it.
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Compare handymenWorks and approvals
Which works need no plan submission?
Insignificant building works. BCA says these do not require plan submission, and its page explains which works qualify. Read it before you start on a porch roof, an awning, a garden structure or a new boundary wall, so you know early whether a Qualified Person is needed.
When do I need a Qualified Person?
For building works that are not insignificant. BCA says to consult a Qualified Person (QP), meaning a registered architect or professional engineer, for other works. Approvals from other authorities may still be needed, so bring your QP in before you sign with a builder.
Do cluster houses need extra approval?
They may. BCA notes that works in a strata development may need the approval of the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST). If your cluster house sits in one, check the by-laws with the managing agent first. Planning a charger? See our guide to an EV charger at a landed home.
Landed house maintenance in Singapore: where to go next
Walk the house with our landed home maintenance checklist twice a year and note what you find. Cover the roof and gutters, the gully at the gate, water pumps, the autogate motor and hinges, aircon ledges and cracks around windows. Quotes depend on the job, so compare a few handymen and ask each what the visit includes.
Questions
Who maintains the drain outside my landed house?
You maintain the drains within your compound; for a public drain beyond your gate, contact PUB. PUB's flood safety tips ask home owners to keep compound drains well maintained and choke-free. If the roadside drain looks blocked, report it to PUB rather than clearing it yourself.
Do I need approval to build a roof extension?
Yes, unless it counts as insignificant building works. BCA says insignificant works need no plan submission. Beyond them, plan submission applies, so consult a Qualified Person. In a strata development the MCST may also need to approve, and other authorities' approvals may apply.
How often should gutters be cleared?
Every few months as a habit, and again before heavy rain is forecast. Homes beside large trees may need it more often, since leaves and seed pods settle fast. Check downpipes at the same time by running a hose into the gutter and watching the outlet.
Who fixes a choked private sewer?
You do, as the owner, with a contractor's help. PUB says owners are responsible for maintaining private sewers within their premises and can engage a contractor to clear chokes or contact PUB for advice. Slow toilets and gurgling floor traps are signs to act on early.
Do I need a permit to cut a tree on my land?
Ask before you cut: check with the National Parks Board (NParks) before cutting a large tree. Do this before any work starts, not after. For branches over the roof, a tree contractor can advise on pruning that keeps leaves out of your gutters.
Can I install an EV charger at home?
Yes, if your electrical supply and parking space allow it. Have a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) check the incoming supply and do the wiring. In a strata development, check with the MCST before work starts. The EV charger guide in the approvals section above has more detail.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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