Mould removal
Mould shows as black, green or grey spots on bathroom ceilings, grout, silicone and walls, often with a musty smell. Cleaning it off only lasts if the moisture behind it is dealt with, so the first job is to find whether a leak, poor ventilation or condensation is feeding it.
Typical price
$150–$400per area, treatment only (estimate)Typical job time
1–3 hours per area
Estimate, confirm on WhatsApp
Signs to look for
- Black or green spots on the bathroom ceiling, grout or silicone that come back soon after cleaning.
- A musty smell in a bathroom, cupboard or room.
- Mould in one patch of wall that stays damp, rather than spread evenly.
- Peeling or bubbling paint with dark spots behind it.
- Mould on the ceiling under the bathroom of the flat above.
Common causes
- Poor ventilation, such as a bathroom without a working exhaust fan or with the window kept shut.
- A concealed pipe leak keeping one wall damp.
- Failed waterproofing letting water into the wall or the ceiling below.
- Condensation on cold surfaces, such as around air-con pipes or in rooms kept cool and closed.
- Humid weather combined with wet towels or laundry dried indoors.
Before you call
Safe things to try first
- Look at the pattern. Mould in one damp patch points to a leak, while an even spread across the ceiling points to ventilation.
- Clean small areas with a mould cleaner, with the window open and gloves on. Never mix bleach with other cleaners.
- Run the exhaust fan or open the window during and after every shower, and leave the door open when the bathroom is not in use.
- Do a meter test with all taps off to rule out a hidden pipe leak.
Stop and call if
- Mould keeps returning on the same wall within weeks.
- The wall or ceiling stays damp to the touch.
- Paint is bubbling or plaster is crumbling.
- The mould covers a large area and someone at home has asthma or allergies.
What we do
- 1Look at the pattern of the mould and take moisture readings to see whether the surface is wet from behind.
- 2Do a meter test and check nearby pipes and the bathroom waterproofing to rule a leak in or out.
- 3If a leak is found, quote the repair first, because mould cleaned off a wet wall comes back within weeks.
- 4Where ventilation is the cause, suggest fixes such as a new or stronger exhaust fan.
- 5Clean and treat the affected surfaces, and advise on repainting with mould-resistant paint once the area is dry.
How much it costs
Most mould removal jobs in Singapore cost $150–$400 (per area, treatment only (estimate)). This is an estimate; the final price is confirmed on WhatsApp or on site before work starts.
- Mould cleaning and treatment, bathroom ceiling$150–$300
- Larger area or several rooms$300–$800
- Leak detection if a hidden leak is suspected$120–$350
- Exposed pipe leak repair$80–$200
HDB, condo and landed
HDB
If mould is on your ceiling under the bathroom of the flat above, treat it as a possible ceiling leak and speak to the owner upstairs. Bathrooms that rely on a small window alone often stay humid, and an exhaust fan helps.
Condo
Windowless bathrooms rely on exhaust fans, so check the fan works and the duct is not blocked. Mould from a leak in the unit above is a matter for that owner and the MCST.
Landed
Check roofs, balconies, planter boxes and walls in contact with the ground as well as bathrooms. Damp rising up a wall from the floor needs a different fix from a pipe leak.
Mould removal: common questions
Is mould on my bathroom ceiling a plumbing problem?
Sometimes. If it is in one patch that stays damp, a leak from a pipe or from the flat above is likely and needs a plumber. If it is spread across the ceiling and the bathroom stays humid, ventilation is the more likely cause.
Will bleach get rid of mould for good?
Bleach can remove the stain on hard, smooth surfaces but does not fix the cause and does not reach far into porous grout or plaster. Mould returns if the surface stays damp.
Does anti-mould paint work?
It slows regrowth on a clean, dry surface. On a wall that is wet from a leak, it will peel and the mould will come back.
How do I stop bathroom mould coming back?
Run an exhaust fan or open the window during and after showers, squeegee the walls, wash shower curtains and reseal tired silicone. If one area keeps going mouldy, check for a leak.
Who pays for mould caused by a leak from the flat above?
In an HDB flat, the leak itself goes through HDB's ceiling leak process, and Goodwill Repair Assistance does not cover damage inside the lower flat. Agree with your neighbour how the cleaning and repainting of your ceiling will be paid for.
Get a price for mould removal
Send a photo or short video, your home type and postal code. We reply with a price range and the earliest slot.
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