Water leak detection
Leak detection finds where water is escaping when you cannot see the leak, such as a meter that moves with every tap off, a damp wall or a stain on the ceiling below. Meter tests, pressure tests and moisture readings pinpoint the source before anything is opened, so the repair is targeted.
Typical price
$120–$350per inspection, HDB or condo, repair extraTypical job time
1–3 hours
Estimate, confirm on WhatsApp
Signs to look for
- The water meter moves when every tap and appliance is off.
- Your water bill has gone up with no change in use.
- A damp patch, bubbling paint or mould on a wall or floor with no obvious source.
- A stain or drip on the ceiling of the flat below.
- The sound of running water when everything is off.
- Grout that stays dark, or floor tiles that sound hollow when tapped.
Common causes
- A concealed water pipe leaking inside a wall or under the floor.
- Failed bathroom waterproofing letting shower water into the floor slab.
- A toilet cistern that leaks into the bowl all the time.
- A leaking joint above a false ceiling or behind kitchen cabinets.
- An underground supply pipe leaking in a landed home.
Before you call
Safe things to try first
- Do a meter test. Turn off every tap and appliance, note the reading, and check again after 30 to 60 minutes.
- Check the toilet cistern. Add a few drops of food colouring to the cistern and wait 15 minutes without flushing. Colour in the bowl means the flush valve is leaking.
- If your home has a stop valve inside, close it and repeat the meter test. If the meter still moves, the leak is between the meter and that valve.
- Note when the damp appears. If it only shows after showers, suspect waterproofing rather than a pipe.
Stop and call if
- The meter is moving fast, or the damp area is growing.
- Your downstairs neighbour reports water coming through.
- Water is near power points or the DB box.
What we do
- 1Ask about the signs, look at the water bill, and do a meter test with everything off.
- 2Rule out the simple causes first, such as a leaking cistern or a dripping tap.
- 3Close valves in turn and pressure-test each section to narrow down which run is leaking.
- 4Take moisture readings across the affected walls and floors to pinpoint the likely spot, using other tools such as thermal imaging where the job calls for it.
- 5For suspected waterproofing leaks, run a controlled water test on the bathroom floor and check whether the leak appears below.
- 6Give you the findings with photos and readings, and quote the repair options.
How much it costs
Most water leak detection jobs in Singapore cost $120–$350 (per inspection, HDB or condo, repair extra). This is an estimate; the final price is confirmed on WhatsApp or on site before work starts.
- Leak detection, HDB flat or condo$120–$350
- Leak detection, landed home$250–$600
- Exposed pipe repair once found$80–$200
- Concealed section rerouted as exposed pipe$250–$600
HDB, condo and landed
HDB
Pipes after your meter are the owner's to find and fix. If water is coming through your ceiling from the flat above, talk to the owner upstairs first; HDB's ceiling leak process applies and your HDB Branch can help.
Condo
For leaks between units, the managing agent can help arrange access to the unit above. Inter-floor leaks in condos are handled under the strata framework, not HDB's rules.
Landed
Leaks can be in the underground line from the gate meter, in walls on any floor, or in roof and balcony waterproofing. If there is a valve where the pipe enters the house, close it and do a meter test. If the meter still moves, the underground line is leaking.
Water leak detection: common questions
How accurate is leak detection?
Supply pipe leaks can usually be narrowed down to a section and then a spot, because each run can be pressure-tested. Waterproofing leaks are harder, since water can travel through the slab before it shows. Ask the plumber how confident they are in the finding.
Will my tiles be hacked to find the leak?
Not for detection. The aim is to locate the leak without opening anything, then open only where needed, or avoid opening at all by rerouting the pipe.
My meter is still but there is a stain on my ceiling. What does that mean?
Your own supply pipes are probably not the cause. The water is likely coming from the unit above, through its bathroom waterproofing or pipes. In an HDB flat, speak to the owner upstairs and approach your HDB Branch if needed.
Can I get written findings for my neighbour or HDB?
Ask for findings with photos and readings. They help when agreeing who pays for a repair, especially in HDB ceiling leak cases, where both owners share the repair.
Get a price for water leak detection
Send a photo or short video, your home type and postal code. We reply with a price range and the earliest slot.
Open 24/7. All of Singapore.