How much does leak detection cost?

How much does water leak detection cost?

Four companies in the directory publish a leak detection line. Three of them price it per job, from S$100 to S$250 per job, with S$120 per job in the middle (one company's own published rate). The fourth publishes an inspection line for leakage or hammering, from S$60 per visit.

FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY

Published leak detection rates

For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published leak detection rates from 3 companies run from S$100 to S$250 per job (middle rate S$120), to find a concealed leak, before any repair. 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 4 published leak detection 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
NILE Plumbing	Inspection (Leakage/Hammering)	From S$60 per visit	nileplumbingsg.com
Crizto Singapore Pte Ltd	Leak Detection - Apartment / Condo / HDB	S$100 per job	crizto.com
Home Plumbers Singapore	Detect concealed-pipe leakage in an HDB flat or condominium	From S$120 per job	homeplumbers.com.sg
Kiasu Plumber	Detection of water leakage in concealed pipes	From S$250 per job	kiasuplumber.com

As printed, these rates are for finding a concealed leak, before any repair. Two of the three per job lines name concealed pipes, so start there if you are comparing concealed pipe leak detection cost.

Checks you can do first

PUB's tips on finding leaks suggest three checks you can do before you book.

1. Do the meter test. Turn off all taps and water-using appliances, then watch your water meter for at least 10 minutes. If the dial moves, there is a leak.
2. Test the cistern. Put food colouring or a leak detection tablet into the cistern tank and watch the bowl for coloured water.
3. Check taps and under the sink. Look for dripping taps, and for water stains, mould or peeling material under the sink.

In an HDB block, PUB's meter reading guide says your water meter is along the common corridor near your unit entrance (exposed or in a utility duct) or at the staircase landing below your unit. Check that the meter number matches the one on your SP Utilities app.

PUB also offers households leak detection tablets for flushing cisterns. Drop one tablet into the cistern tank, put the lid back and wait 10 to 20 minutes without flushing. Blue water in the bowl means a leak.

Detection fee vs repair quote

Detection finds the source of the water. The repair is priced after that, once you know what needs fixing.

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.

See 11 published leak repair rates and sources

Lowest matching rate per company, in SGD as published.

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 per job, from S$80 to S$250 per job, with S$80 per job in the middle (one company's own published rate). As printed, each covers one leak at an exposed pipe or fitting, such as a leaking tap or toilet bowl.

No published line covers concealed pipes, ceiling leaks between flats, waterproofing or a burst main, so ask for a separate repair quote once the source is confirmed. See also leak repair.

PUB says to always engage a licensed plumber to detect and repair leaks. Repairing or replacing a water pipe is not on PUB's list of simple plumbing works that handymen may do, apart from narrow items such as any pipe between a stop valve and an instantaneous water heater. It needs a PUB Licensed Plumber, and since 2018 it has been an offence to engage a plumber not licensed by PUB for regulated works. You can find one through PUB's online listings, the Singapore Plumbing Society or your Town Council.

Ceiling leaks between flats

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. They typically occur in toilets and bathrooms. Flat owners are responsible for the upkeep of their own flats, including the floor and ceiling slabs.

For a leak between two flats, HDB's ceiling leak guide sets out these steps:

1. Talk to your upstairs neighbour.
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. The two owners split the cost.

HDB adds that you negotiate the price and scope with the contractor yourselves. On the topmost floor, the leak comes from the roof, which is common property, so contact the Town Council. See our guides on a ceiling leak from the flat upstairs and what to do about a ceiling leak.

HDB recommends re-screeding. Other methods it describes include localised repair at the floor waste grating, polyurethane (PU) injection and overlaying a waterproofing membrane system. Some leaks need more than one method.

What changes the price

The published lines point to a few price factors:

• Exposed or concealed pipe. The detection lines are for concealed leaks; the repair lines cover one exposed pipe or fitting only.
• Per visit or per job. One company publishes an inspection line from S$60 per visit; the other three price detection per job. Ask which applies.
• Detection only or with repair. The detection rates are for finding the leak. Ask whether any repair is included.
• Starting prices. Two of the three per job detection lines are printed as "from" prices. Ask what would raise the figure.
• A written finding. No published line says a written finding or report is included. Ask, rather than assume.

For prices on other jobs, see plumbing costs.

What a fair quote should list

Before you agree to a detection visit, check that the quote covers:

• What is being detected: a concealed pipe, a ceiling leak or a cistern.
• The method the company will use. No published line states one, so ask.
• Whether the fee is per visit or per job.
• Whether any repair is included, or quoted separately once the source is found.
• Who the quote is addressed to, if two flats are sharing the cost.

Our guide on how to compare quotes helps, and the leaks and seepage FAQ answers related questions.

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