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SINGAPORE: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has been exploring new technologies to improve current roof leak repair methods and has identified two new options, the Minister of State for Development said on Tuesday (February 2). National, Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim.
The two new repair methods, the Nanotechnology Waterproofing System and the Overlapping Waterproofing Membrane System, provide alternative options for residents who do not want to cut their toilet tile or who prefer to keep existing finishes on their toilets, said Dr. Faishal.
For complex and recurring problems that contractors cannot rectify, “HDB will also assist in investigations and provide advice whenever possible,” he added.
Dr Faishal was responding to questions from MP Liang Eng Hwa (PAP-Bukit Panjang SMC) and MP Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap (WP-Aljunied), amid a recent wave of complaints about roof leaks and leaking external walls.
Mr. Liang noted that he had received more than a hundred complaints in the last two to three months about these problems and inquired about HDB’s approach to helping these apartment owners.
Dr. Faishal said that when there is a roof leak that occurs as a result of wear and tear over time, the responsibility for repairs is shared jointly between the owners of the upper and lower floors.
“Both the owners of the upper and lower floors would have to jointly investigate and make the repairs.
“In most cases, leaks can be resolved amicably when apartment owners understand each other and cooperate with each other,” said Dr. Faishal.
He also said that in cases where the leak is caused by wear and tear, HDB can also offer assistance to resolve the problem and share the cost of repairs under the Goodwill Repair Assistance scheme.
Under this scheme, HDB will pay 50 percent of the cost of repairing the roof leak. The remaining 50 percent is shared equally between the owners of the upper and lower floors.
However, in cases where a lower deck leak is caused by renovations performed by the upper deck resident, then the upper deck resident would be “fully responsible for rectifying the leak and bearing the full cost of the repair. “, said. said.
Regarding roof leaks that occur in upstairs units, Dr. Faishal said the city council is responsible for addressing the leak, as the roof is part of the common property.
READ: Do you have roof leaks? What to do when damage to a neighbor’s property extends to yours
EXTERNAL WALL SEARCH
Dr Faishal noted that the outer walls of the HDB blocks are also common property managed by the municipalities, which are responsible for keeping them in good condition through regular maintenance.
In response to Mr. Faisal’s question as to whether authorities would consider a national program for the repair of facades of aged HDB blocks, Dr. Faishal said that currently there are no such plans, as problems such as wall seepage can be prevent through regular maintenance by municipalities.
He added that HDB currently helps municipalities by sharing 50 percent of the facade repair costs.
Starting in the second half of this year, the Building and Construction Authority will also require that a Periodic Facade Inspection be carried out for all buildings over 20 years old and 13 m high.
For difficult cases, HDB will work with city councils to solve leakage problems, added the minister in charge of the Municipal Services Bureau, Sim Ann.
“In such cases, HDB can assist the TC by conducting joint inspections and providing technical advice to the TC on proper repair methods,” he said, in response to a question from MP Desmond Choo (PAP-Tampines).
He also said that HDB has been providing training to city maintenance staff on external wall water leak repairs.
