Sim Ann: HDB assisted in 859 complex water seepage cases in 2024

During the Parliamentary sitting on 8 April 2025, Senior Minister of State for National Development Sim Ann provided an update on the Housing and Development Board's (HDB) efforts to assist town councils and flat owners with complex water seepage cases, stating that HDB had supported the resolution of 859 such cases in 2024. These cases often involve seepage from various sources, including external walls or flats above. Sim's remarks came in response to several questions raised by Members of Parliament (MPs) about the frequency and nature of water seepage incidents, as well as the resources and technologies employed by HDB to assist Town Councils (TCs) in managing these issues. Sim Ann assured the House that while HDB had not observed a surge in water seepage cases during the month of March, it did receive feedback from some TCs indicating that such issues typically increase during the monsoon season. She reiterated that HDB will continue its support to resolve these challenges, focusing on offering technical expertise and assistance for more complex cases. The update was provided in response to a question by MP Carrie Tan, who had asked about the frequency of complex water seepage cases HDB receives on a weekly basis, as well as the staffing of engineers assigned to handle these cases. Tan also inquired about the response timelines for engineers and any potential technological upgrades that might enhance the efficiency of HDB’s work with Town Councils. In addition, MP Liang Eng Hwa raised concerns regarding a potential rise in external water seepage incidents during the monsoon season and whether HDB was doing enough to support TCs in resolving such issues. He specifically asked for an update on the use of advanced scanning technologies for diagnosing seepage from external walls.

Sim Ann Outlines HDB's Efforts to Resolve Water Seepage Issues

Sim clarified that TCs are responsible for the maintenance of external walls as part of common property, with HDB providing technical advice and conducting joint inspections when necessary, particularly for complex cases. HDB, Sim explained, aims to resolve these issues expediently, typically within one week, although this timeline is dependent on the availability of both flat owners and TC staff. She also addressed the training initiatives that HDB has introduced to assist TCs in managing these problems. For instance, a training video has been produced to aid TC staff in diagnosing and repairing external wall seepage. Sim highlighted the Goodwill Repair Assistance Scheme, which is designed to help flat owners with ceiling leaks by covering 50% of the repair costs. She also discussed ongoing efforts to develop advanced scanning technology, similar to X-ray, which would allow for more precise detection of the root causes of seepage, particularly in older estates. Sim stated that if the trial for this technology proves successful, HDB intends to scale up its use in order to enhance maintenance practices and support TCs in diagnosing and resolving increasingly complex cases.

Concerns on HDB's SOPs, Expertise, and Follow-up for Resolving Complex Water Seepage Issues

Carrie Tan further pressed Sim on the internal standard operating procedures (SOPs) followed by HDB engineers when offering technical advice to TCs and asked whether HDB plans to invest in additional technical expertise and technology to improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosing water seepage issues. Sim explained that delays in resolving seepage problems can sometimes be attributed to the complexity of accurately diagnosing the issue and coordinating the involvement of both HDB and TC personnel, as well as flat owners. She stressed that HDB is committed to expediting the resolution process whenever TCs request assistance, but acknowledged that the technical challenges involved can sometimes prolong the timeline. Liang also expressed frustration over the prolonged nature of some seepage issues, particularly during rainy seasons. He asked whether the contractors currently employed by TCs had the expertise required to permanently resolve these problems and whether HDB follows up on long-standing cases. Sim assured him that while contractors generally possess the necessary expertise to resolve these issues, TCs are encouraged to consult HDB should they have any concerns about a contractor’s capabilities. She further noted that HDB is exploring effective methods, such as the Corrosion Resistant Repair (CRR) technique, to address persistent seepage problems.

Gerald Giam Raises Concerns on Enhancing Waterproofing Contractors' Expertise and Funding for More Frequent Re-Roofing

In another query, Workers’ Party MP Gerald Giam asked whether HDB had made efforts to enhance the diagnostic capabilities of waterproofing contractors to identify seepage sources without relying on trial and error. Giam also suggested that HDB provide additional funding to Town Councils for more frequent re-roofing programs aimed at preventing or resolving water seepage issues. In response, Sim highlighted that HDB holds regular meetings with TCs to discuss technical challenges, including external wall seepage. She also referred to the training videos developed to help TC staff identify potential causes of seepage and assured the House that TCs have the necessary resources to conduct re-roofing when needed. However, she acknowledged that should TCs require more funding, this could be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Sylvia Lim Queries HDB on Roof Seepage Issues Linked to Solar Panel Installations

WP Chair Sylvia Lim raised concerns about roof seepage issues associated with solar panel installations on HDB flats. She asked whether HDB was aware of such problems and what measures it would take to address them. Sim confirmed that if solar panels are suspected of causing seepage due to insulation issues, contractors responsible for the installations would work closely with TCs and HDB to resolve the problem.