Ceiling Leakage

What is wrong
Ceiling leakage refers to the penetration of water from the upper floor unit onto
the lower floor unit ceiling, through the concrete floor slab. This usually occurs in wet areas such as toilets and bathrooms.

Possible cause
Usage and deterioration of materials over time.

Responsibilities for repair
Ceiling leakage can be classified into
three types:
• Ceiling leakage at top most floor flat
In this case, the leakage is from the roof of the block. The roof is part of the common property maintained by the Town Council. For ceiling leakage in flats at the
top most floor, the flat owners may contact the Town Council maintaining their block for repairs
to the ceiling leakage.

• Ceiling leakage between upper and lower floor flats
The floor slab between the upper and lower floor flats is a party structure. Under the lease, the upper and lower floor flat owners shall be jointly responsible for the
repair of the party structure. They shall jointly engage a contractor to repair the ceiling leakage and share the repair costs.

• Ceiling leakage at void deck
The void deck is part of the common property managed and maintained by the Town Council. For ceiling leakage at the void deck, the Town Council and the upper floor flat owner shall jointly engage a contractor to repair the ceiling leak and share the repair costs.

Getting it fixed
Engage a repair contractor to carry out appropriate rectification works. The repair works generally involve the following steps:
• remove floor tiles, screed, pedestal pan, etc.
• clean surface of loose particles.
• fill areas around pipes with non-shrinkable grout.
• apply good quality waterproof membrane onto hacked surfaces with upturn and allow it to set, based on manufacturer’s instructions.
• lay new layer of waterproof screed.
• install floor tiles, pedestal/squat pan.
• check with lower floor flat owner that the ceiling leakage has ceased.