HDB Defect Checklist Before Renovation Starts in Singapore

1. Flooring and tile defects

Flooring defects should be checked before carpentry and furniture block access. For wet areas, do not only check tile appearance; test how water moves.

• Tap tiles gently with a metal rod, coin or screwdriver handle to identify hollow sounds.
• Look for cracked, chipped, stained or uneven tiles.
• Check tile lippage where one tile edge sits higher than the next.
• Check tile shade and pattern consistency under daylight.
• Inspect grout lines for gaps, cracks, pinholes or uneven depth.
• For toilets, pour water in different areas and confirm water flows naturally to the floor trap.
• For the kitchen and service yard, test whether water flows towards the floor trap and does not pond around the sink or washing machine area.

Improper grout lines and poor floor gradient are renovation-sensitive defects. Once overlay, cabinets or shower screens are installed, rectification becomes harder.

2. Wall alignment, cracks and surface defects

Walls affect more than paint. Uneven walls can affect full-height wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, feature walls, quartz tops and glass partitions.

• Use a spirit level or laser level to check key walls where carpentry will be installed.
• Look for hairline cracks, wide cracks, uneven plaster and bubbling paint.
• Check wall corners for squareness, especially kitchen corners and wardrobe walls.
• Use torchlight from the side to reveal uneven plaster or waves in the wall surface.
• Photograph cracks with a nearby reference such as tape or ruler so the size is clear.

3. Ceiling defects

Ceiling defects are easy to miss because owners usually focus on the floor. Check before false ceiling or lighting works begin.

• Look for hairline cracks, joint lines, uneven ceiling patches and water stains.
• Check around toilet ceilings, window corners, aircon ledges and service yard areas.
• Use a torchlight to inspect high corners and darker areas.
• Check access panels, if any, for alignment, loose covers and damage.

4. Window, seal and water leakage checks

Singapore rain can expose window defects that are not obvious during a dry inspection. Check the window frame, track, seal and closing mechanism.

• Open and close every window panel. Check for smooth movement and proper locking.
• Inspect glass for scratches, cracks and chips.
• Check rubber seals and silicone sealant for gaps, cracks or loose areas.
• Use a spray bottle or light water spray around the frame, corners and joints to test for seepage.
• Use tissue paper on the inner frame after spraying to detect hidden moisture.
• Check window tracks for drainage blockage, debris or poor alignment.

Do not use high-pressure spraying. The aim is to simulate rain exposure safely without forcing water into areas unnaturally.

5. Toilet and bathroom defects

Toilet defects are among the most important checks because waterproofing, drainage and gradient problems can become expensive once renovation starts.

• Run all taps and shower points to test water pressure and drainage.
• Flush each toilet and check for slow flushing, leakage or running cistern water.
• Pour water across the floor and observe whether it flows to the floor trap.
• Check for ponding at corners, near the shower area and around the toilet bowl base.
• Inspect floor traps for cracks, smell, poor drainage or loose covers.
• Check grout lines on floor and wall tiles, especially around the shower zone and wall-floor junctions.
• Inspect basin, bottle trap, exposed pipes and joints for leakage.
• Check shower kerb level if the unit has one, and whether water can escape from the intended wet area.

6. Kitchen and service yard defects

Kitchen defects can affect future cabinet planning, worktop installation, sink location, hob position and washing machine area.

• Test water flow at the kitchen sink point and check drainage speed.
• Pour water near wet zones and confirm it flows to the floor trap where applicable.
• Inspect grout lines near the sink area and floor trap.
• Check gas pipe position, pipe condition and whether it conflicts with cabinet planning.
• Check wall alignment where bottom and top kitchen cabinets will be installed.
• Inspect service yard drainage, floor gradient and window or louvre operation.
• Check washing machine area for water point, discharge point and accessibility.

7. Main door, bedroom doors and HDB gate

Newer HDB flats often come with main door and gate. These should be inspected before renovation protection sheets, dust and site works make scratches harder to identify.

• Check main door for scratches, dents, chips and uneven gaps.
• Open and close the door several times to detect rubbing against the floor or frame.
• Test lockset, keys, handle and door closer if provided.
• Check the gate for alignment, lock function, paint defects, rust spots and welding defects.
• Inspect bedroom and toilet doors for frame alignment, scratches, swollen edges and smooth closing.

8. Electrical, data points and DB box

Electricity must be activated to do this properly. A simple phone charger can help test whether sockets are live.

• Use a phone charger to test every power socket.
• Test every light switch and provided lighting point where possible.
• Check data points and TV points visually for damage or missing covers.
• Open the DB box and check whether circuit labels are present and readable.
• Look for loose DB box covers, tripped breakers or missing labels.
• Test doorbell, exhaust fan points or water heater points where applicable.

9. Plumbing, water pressure and smell checks

Some plumbing defects only show when multiple outlets are used or when floor traps are inspected closely.

• Run taps at the kitchen and toilets to compare water pressure.
• Check under basins and exposed pipe joints for leaks after water runs for a while.
• Look for foul smell from floor traps or dry traps.
• Check toilet bowl base, basin area and service yard for slow seepage.
• Use tissue paper to confirm whether a suspected joint is actually wet.

10. Aircon ledge, balcony and exposed rain areas

External wall defects are difficult and unsafe for owners to inspect directly. The practical method is to inspect from inside the unit and observe during or after rain.

• Check internal walls facing outside for damp patches, bubbling paint, peeling paint or water stains.
• Inspect around window frames, balcony doors and external wall corners after heavy rain where possible.
• Check aircon ledge area visually for ponding, cracks or drainage issues from safe accessible areas only.
• For balcony areas, test sliding door operation, drainage, floor gradient and water ponding.
• Do not climb out or inspect unsafe external areas. Report suspected external seepage with internal photo evidence.

11. Structural warning signs

Most defects are minor, but some signs should be documented carefully and escalated instead of ignored.

• Photograph wide cracks, repeated cracks across multiple surfaces or unusual floor settlement.
• Look for concrete spalling, rust stains, damp patches or recurring seepage.
• Do not attempt to repair structural-looking defects yourself before reporting them.
• Mark the location clearly and include overview photos plus close-up photos.