Plumbline takes plumbing requests for hdb flats across Singapore. Here is who is responsible for which pipe in hdb flats.
Plumbing in hdb flats
HDB estates divide plumbing three ways. Town Councils maintain the water storage tanks and the water pipes on common property, and must have tanks inspected, cleaned and disinfected every year by a licensed plumber. Homeowners maintain the pipes and fittings of their own unit, and are advised to engage licensed plumbers when needed (MSE, 2024). PUB maintains the water mains and connecting pipes up to the water meter (PUB handbook).
Inside the flat, the licence rules matter. Since 1 April 2018 it has been an offence to engage a plumber who is not licensed by PUB for regulated water service and sanitary plumbing works. Simple jobs are exempt: clearing blockages in toilets and floor traps, replacing taps and mixers, and replacing floor trap gratings can be done by a handyman (PUB).
Who is responsible for what
| Situation | Who is responsible |
|---|---|
| Pipes and fittings inside your flat | Homeowner (licensed plumber for regulated work) |
| Water tanks and pipes on common property | Town Council |
| Water mains up to the meter | PUB |
| Toilet, sink and floor trap chokes | Homeowner; a handyman may clear them |
| Tap and mixer replacement | Homeowner; a handyman may do it |
| Low pressure affecting the whole floor | Report to the Town Council |
Services for hdb flats
- Toilet bowl choke: Water rising, not draining? Stop flushing and get the blockage cleared properly.
- Floor trap choke: Water pooling on the bathroom floor, or a sewer smell from the drain.
- Pipe leak repair: A dripping joint is a quick fix. A leak inside a wall is a different job. Know which you have.
- Water heater replacement: No hot water, a leaking tank, or a heater tripping the power: repair or replace.
- Low water pressure: Your whole floor, or just your kitchen tap? The answer decides who fixes it.