Plumbers serving Tanglin.

Homes in Tanglin and what they mean for plumbing

Plumbing in Tanglin: mostly condo and apartment homes

Tanglin is overwhelmingly a condo and apartment planning area. In the Census 2020 dwelling data, about 82% of the 7,938 resident households lived in condominiums and other apartments. About 16% lived in landed homes, and only about 2% (187 households) lived in HDB flats.

Living in a condo changes how a plumbing job works. A leaking tap, a faulty toilet cistern or a choked floor trap inside your unit is usually yours to fix. Shared pipes and drains, however, may be part of common property. BCA's guide for condo owners says owners must follow the MCST by-laws and should check with the MCST before renovation. Any change to common property needs the MCST's prior written approval. If water is coming through your ceiling, or a drain backs up in more than one unit, tell your managing agent first, because the cause may be outside your unit. Also make sure the plumber knows the building's rules on work hours and access.

Landed homes make up about 16% of households here, and they bring different problems: longer pipe runs, outdoor taps, garden and perimeter drains, and several bathrooms on different floors. There is no MCST to deal with, so you work directly with the plumber. Even so, PUB's plumbing works requirements say some plumbing work must be done by a PUB licensed plumber, so ask early whether your job is one of them.

The few HDB flats in this planning area follow HDB's rules. HDB's plumbing and gas works guidelines say water service and sanitary plumbing works do not need an HDB permit, but they must be done by a PUB licensed plumber.

Water heater jobs often involve more than one trade. If a new heater needs a new power point or circuit breaker, EMA's rules on licensed electrical workers require a Licensed Electrical Worker for that wiring. These licences are held by individuals, not companies. For a gas heater, EMA's gas safety guidance says home gas installation works can only be done by City Energy or a Licensed Gas Service Worker.

Questions to ask

• Will a PUB licensed plumber do the work, and can you show me the licence details?
• For condo jobs: have you checked whether the pipe or drain is part of common property, and will you follow our MCST's rules?
• If the job involves a water heater, who will do the electrical or gas connection, and do they hold the licence EMA requires for that work?
• Will you find the source of the leak before replacing anything, and how will you show me what you found?
• Is the quote fixed for the stated scope, and what happens if more work turns up once a wall or floor is opened?