Seepwise covers leak repair and waterproofing for landed homes across Singapore. Here is what is different about landed homes, and who is responsible for what.
What makes leaks in landed homes different
Landed homes carry the whole building envelope: roof, external walls, wet areas and drainage. With no Town Council or MCST, the roof is the biggest single exposure, and Singapore's rain tests it hard. The early Northeast Monsoon, December to early January, is the wettest time of year, with monsoon surges that bring prolonged heavy rain (World Bank), and annual rainfall rose from 2,192 mm in 1980 to 2,727 mm in 2014 (NCCS).
Flat reinforced-concrete roofs leak where water ponds and at edges, outlets and penetrations. Metal roofs leak at sheet laps and corroding screw holes. Tiled pitched roofs leak at cracked or slipped tiles, ridges, valleys and wall flashings. Each gets a different system, which is why the quote comes after inspection.
Terraces and semi-detached houses add party walls: water can travel from the neighbour's roof, gutter or planter into your wall. A detection visit establishes which side the water comes from before anyone is asked to pay.
Who is responsible for what
| Situation | Who is responsible |
|---|---|
| Roof, gutters and outlets | Owner |
| External walls | Owner |
| Party wall seepage from next door | Established by inspection; the neighbour's side if the source is theirs |
| Wet areas and pipes | Owner |
Services for landed homes
- Roof waterproofing: For landed homes. HDB and condo roofs belong to the Town Council or the MCST.
- Roof leak repair: Water coming through during a storm needs the entry point found, not a new roof.
- Water seepage repair: Bubbling paint and white powder on a wall are water moving through it. The source decides the fix.
- Balcony and planter box waterproofing: A planter is a box of wet soil sitting on your slab. When its lining fails, the room next door finds out.
- Water leak detection: Find it before you hack it. Detection is cheaper than opening the wrong wall.