What happened?

Multiple Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats across Singapore experienced floor tiles that popped and cracked spontaneously the past few days.

Flats in Punggol, Sengkang, Bukit Panjang, Woodlands, Hougang and Jurong West were affected.

This happened during the recent cold spell in Singapore.

HDB aware

HDB said in a Facebook post on Monday, Jan. 15, it is aware of the recent situation:

Those who need advice on repairs can call its branch hotline on 1800-225-5432 or the Emergency and Maintenance Services Unit, details of which are listed on lifts at each block.

Extent of problem

Cracking and popping floor tiles have been an ongoing phenomenon -- resulting in strange and ghostly footage when caught on camera.

On average, HDB received about 2,000 cases of dislodged floor tiles per year -- in 2015 and 2016.

This worked out to a nationwide yearly average of about two cases per 1,000 dwelling units, or 0.2 percent per year.

There are currently 1 million HDB flats in Singapore.

What should affected flat owners do?

Flat owners are responsible for the maintenance of their flats.

HDB will fix the dislodged tiles within the one-year Defect Liability Period (DLP) -- as practised by private developers.

Some private developers may offer to repair dislodged tiles for a slightly longer period, for example, three years, but those are generally done on a goodwill basis.

Besides HDB helping flat owners repair dislodged tiles originally provided by HDB during the one-year DLP, it can also offer goodwill repairs for dislodged tiles for up to 15 years.

For flats that are older than 15 years of age, HDB will help carry out inspections and assist the owners to remove and dispose of the affected tiles.

Owners can then engage registered repair contractors on a private basis, referred to them by HDB.

Full April 2017 written Parliament reply to exploding floor tiles problem

CAUSES FOR POPPING OR CRACKING TILES IN HDB FLATS

Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for National Development (a) in the last two years, what has been the number of reports received on floor tiles popping up or cracking; (b) what are its causes; and (c) how can HDB assist flat owners to deal with the situation.

Lawrence Wong: Tiles, like all fittings, fixtures and finishes in a flat, are subject to wear and tear over time. They may dislodge due to various reasons, such as differential thermal expansion and contraction of tiles, or the natural deterioration of the bond between the tiles and the screed surface. All these can cause a loss of adhesion between the tiles and the screed surface, and the dislodgement of tiles. In the past two years, HDB received about 2,000 cases of dislodged floor tiles per year. This works out to a nationwide yearly average of about two cases per 1,000 dwelling units, or 0.2% per year.

Flat owners are responsible for the maintenance of their flats, including repairs for general wear and tear. In private developments, developers generally only rectify dislodged tiles during the 1-year Defect Liability Period (DLP). Some developers may offer repair for dislodged tiles for a slightly longer period, for example, three years, but those are generally done on a goodwill basis.

HDB’s practice has been more generous – besides helping flat owners repair dislodged tiles originally provided by HDB during the 1-year DLP, it also offers goodwill repairs for dislodged tiles for up to 15 years. For flats that are older than 15 years of age, HDB will help carry out inspections and assist the owners to remove and dispose of the affected tiles. HDB can also provide owners with a list of registered repair contractors, whom they can then engage on a private basis.

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