What to do first when a burst pipe floods your home
- Shut the stopcock. Turn the stopcock at your PUB water sub-meter to cut the water to your flat.
- Keep away from electrics. Do not use appliances near the water or with wet hands, and do not touch an open outlet or switch with wet hands.
- Move valuables and mop up. Lift belongings off the wet floor, then mop up once the supply is off.
- Tell the neighbour below. Water from a flat above can seep through the floor slab into the ceiling below.
- Call a licensed plumber. Say where the pipe burst and that the stopcock is closed.
- Take photos. Photograph the pipe and any damage before repairs start.
Shut the water at the stopcock
HDB's guide to pipes says that if there is a leak, you should shut the stopcock at the PUB water sub-meter to cut the water supply. For a pipe burst in an HDB flat, do this before anything else.
PUB's meter reading guide says HDB water meters are along the common corridor near the unit entrance, either exposed or in a utility duct, or at the staircase landing below the unit. Check that the meter number matches the one in your SP Utilities app, so you know the meter is yours.
Turning the stopcock cuts water to the flat. Do not open anything else, such as covers, panels or other valves. Keep the stopcock closed until the plumber arrives.
If the pressure at your taps seems weak after a water pipe burst has been repaired, HDB's pipes page says to inform the Town Council about low pressure from a booster pump fault, and to run the tap for a while to let out an air lock. See low water pressure at home for more.
Protect electrics and neighbours below
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) advises in its electrical safety guidance not to use electrical appliances near water or with wet hands, and not to touch an open outlet or switch with wet hands. If water reaches a socket or the distribution board (DB box), call a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW). EMA says electrical work in an HDB flat needs a Licensed Electrician, the class of LEW approved for loads of up to 45kVA.
Water can also reach the flat below. HDB's guide to ceiling leaks says untreated leaks may damage electrical items and cause mould growth, so neighbours should address a leak promptly. For a leak between two flats, the owners arrange the repair and split the costs. If water is already coming through a ceiling, see our guide to a ceiling leak from upstairs.
When the burst is outside your flat
PUB's contact page says to call its 24-hour call centre for urgent matters such as major pipe bursts and water interruptions. The line is 1800-CALL-PUB (1800 2255 782), or you can call 6521 6470.
HDB explains that Town Councils manage and maintain the common property of HDB residential flats, which includes corridors, void decks, lifts and the water tank. For a problem in a common area, contact your Town Council. Inside your flat, regular upkeep is your role as a homeowner.
Calling a licensed plumber and the cost
HDB's pipes guide advises engaging a licensed plumber for leaking pipe repairs where necessary.
Under PUB's plumbing works rules, regulated water service and sanitary plumbing works must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, except listed simple works a handyman may do. Repairing a burst water service pipe is not on that list. Engaging a plumber who is not licensed for regulated works has been an offence since 2018. See what needs a licensed plumber for more.
In the directory, 11 companies publish a leak repair line, all priced per job. Their published rates run from S$80 to S$250 per job as printed, and S$80 per job is also the middle published rate. Each line is scoped to repair one leak at an exposed pipe or fitting.
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
| 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 |
One line is "Fix leaking tap or faucet" (from S$80 per job). Three of the higher lines mention labour and material (from S$190, from S$230 and from S$250 per job), and one is S$125 per job. Compare the listings on our leak repair page.
PUB's plumbing works page also advises discussing scope and cost first, asking for itemised quotes and getting at least three quotes. If the pipe bursts late, read about emergency plumbing at night.
NEXT STEP
See plumbing companies in the directory with their published prices, the areas they say they cover and their sources.
Compare plumbersWhen to stop and call a professional
A burst pipe always needs a professional repair, even when the stopcock has stopped the flow. Call straight away, too, if you see:
- Water near the DB box or any socket
- Water coming through the ceiling
- A pipe bursting inside a wall
Keep the stopcock closed until the plumber arrives.
What to tell the plumber
- Where the pipe burst, such as the kitchen, bathroom or a wall
- The pipe type, if you can see it
- That the stopcock is closed
- Photos of the pipe and any damage
- Whether water reached sockets or the flat below
Questions
Where is the water stopcock in an HDB flat?
It is at your PUB water sub-meter. PUB's meter guide says HDB water meters are along the common corridor near the unit entrance, exposed or in a utility duct, or at the staircase landing below the unit. Check the meter number against your SP Utilities app before you turn the stopcock.
Should I call PUB or a plumber for a burst pipe?
For a pipe inside your flat, shut the stopcock and call a licensed plumber. For a major pipe burst or water interruption outside your flat, call 1800-CALL-PUB (1800 2255 782), the 24-hour line on PUB's contact page. For problems in common areas such as corridors, contact your Town Council.
Who pays if a burst pipe damages the flat below?
For a leak between two flats, HDB says the owners arrange the repair and split the costs. Flat owners are responsible for the upkeep of their own flats, including floor and ceiling slabs. If you have home insurance, check your own policy wording.
Is it safe to use electricity after a pipe bursts?
Take care. EMA advises not to use electrical appliances near water or with wet hands, and not to touch an open outlet or switch with wet hands. If water has reached sockets or the DB box, keep away and call a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW).
How much does it cost to repair a burst pipe?
In the directory, 11 companies publish a leak repair rate, from S$80 to S$250 per job as printed. Each line is for one leak at an exposed pipe or fitting. None covers a burst main, concealed pipes or water damage, so ask a licensed plumber for a quote.
Can a handyman fix a burst pipe?
Not for most bursts. PUB says regulated water service work needs a PUB Licensed Plumber. Its list of simple works a handyman may do covers items such as replacing a tap, a shower hose or the pipe between a stop valve and an instantaneous water heater. Repairing any other burst water service pipe is not on the list.
Prices come only from the sourced company rates in the HomezyPro directory, shown with each company and its source.
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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