A small leak, a big bill: 5 plumbing problems you should not ignore

Most plumbing damage we see did not start as an emergency. It started as a small drip that nobody had time for. Here are five problems worth fixing early.

1. A tap that keeps dripping

A worn cartridge or washer is a cheap repair. Left alone, a dripping tap wastes water every day and can stain the basin. Mixer taps in particular wear out after a few years of hard Singapore water.

2. Damp or swollen cabinet under the sink

If the base of the kitchen cabinet is soft or swollen, a pipe joint or waste trap is leaking. Catch it early and it is a joint repair. Catch it late and the cabinet needs replacing.

3. A stain on the ceiling below a bathroom

In HDB flats and condos, a stain on your ceiling often comes from the bathroom above, and a stain in your neighbour's ceiling may come from yours. Common causes are a leaking pipe in the floor or a failed waterproofing layer under the tiles.

4. Low water pressure or a noisy pipe

Older galvanised pipes rust on the inside. Pressure drops, and you may see brown water when the tap first opens. Replacing the affected section is usually better than waiting for it to burst.

5. A water heater that leaks or trips the power

Water dripping from the heater, rust at the joints or the power tripping when you shower all mean the heater needs checking. Water and electricity together is a safety risk.

What you can do today

• Know where your main water valve is, and check that it turns.
• Look under sinks and around the toilet once a month with a torch.
• Take a photo or a short video of any leak. It helps us quote faster.

How Steer Builders helps

We repair and replace taps, pipes, traps and water heaters. Because we also do ceilings, painting and tiles, we can fix the damage the leak caused as well, in the same visit where possible.

WhatsApp us a video of the leak or call +65 8673 1579. See our plumbing service.