The moment you collect your HDB BTO keys is also the moment your Defects Liability Period (DLP) starts ticking. You have a window where HDB and the main contractor will fix plumbing defects at no cost — but only if you report them properly and on time. This checklist walks through 14 specific plumbing tests to run during your BTO inspection, what to do when you find a defect, and how to handle the DLP report so the fixes actually happen.
Why a plumbing checklist matters at BTO key collection
BTO units are built fast and at scale. Even with good QA, the most common defects at handover are plumbing-related — slow drains, weeping joints, low pressure at the furthest tap, or misaligned fixtures. These are not catastrophic, but if you miss them at key collection and only discover them after moving in (or after renovation has covered up the pipes), the fix becomes your cost rather than HDB’s.
The DLP for HDB BTO is typically 1 year from key collection for general defects and up to 5-7 years for specific structural and waterproofing items. Plumbing falls mostly under the 1-year DLP, so your window to surface defects without out-of-pocket cost is short.
What to bring to your BTO plumbing inspection
- Mobile phone with camera (photo every defect with reference to floor/wall location)
- Marker masking tape (label defects on the spot)
- Empty plastic bottle (catch water from suspect outlets to estimate flow)
- Small torch (look into drain holes and under sinks)
- Notepad or BTO checklist app
- Floor plan printout (mark defect locations)
- Two people if possible (one tests, one inspects elsewhere — saves time)
The 14-point HDB BTO plumbing checklist
1. Main water supply isolation valve
Find the main water shut-off valve (usually near the meter or kitchen area). Confirm it operates smoothly and shuts off all water to the unit. You will need this valve every time a plumber works on the flat — a stuck valve is a defect to report immediately.
2. Water meter accuracy
With all taps closed and no appliances running, the meter should not move. If the meter is creeping, there is a hidden leak somewhere in the supply pipework. This is a serious defect — report it before you accept handover.
3. Kitchen sink — flow, drainage, and trap
Turn the kitchen tap fully on and time how long the sink takes to drain a full basin. Slow drains often mean construction debris in the P-trap. Check under the sink for water marks, white residue or weeping joints.
4. Bathroom basin — flow and drainage
Same test as the kitchen sink. Also check that the basin overflow hole drains, and that the pop-up stopper opens and closes properly.
5. Shower mixer and shower head
Run the shower at full hot, then full cold. Check temperature changes correctly. Check shower head pressure — if it dribbles, the supply line may be partially blocked or the head clogged with debris. Photograph the head and any leaks at the wall flange.
6. WC flush — full flush and refill
Flush the toilet and check: (a) the tank refills fully without continuous running, (b) the bowl clears within one flush, (c) no water marks around the base suggesting a wax-ring leak, (d) the seat is mounted level and tight.
7. Floor traps and floor drains in wet areas
Pour a litre of water down each floor trap (bathroom and yard area). Confirm it drains fully. Slow floor traps trap water that backs up during showers — a defect that gets worse over time.
8. Water heater point — power and supply readiness
Most HDB BTO flats come with the water heater point prepared but no heater installed. Check the dedicated electrical point is present and labelled, and that the cold water supply pipe to the heater point is capped properly.
9. Washing machine point
Confirm the washing machine bib tap is present, the drain stand pipe is installed, and the tap opens without leaking at the wall connection.
10. Yard area drainage
Pour water on the yard floor and confirm it drains to the floor trap, not towards the kitchen door. Floor slope is a known BTO defect category — water pooling means you cannot air-dry laundry without slipping hazards.
11. Concealed pipe condensation marks
Look at the ceiling and wall corners where concealed pipes run. Water marks, mould, or paint discolouration at handover usually means a leak above (from upstairs) or condensation from poorly insulated pipes. Both are DLP issues.
12. Bathroom waterproofing — the bucket test
Block the floor trap, fill the bathroom floor with 2-3 cm of water, mark the water line, and leave for 30-60 minutes. If the water level drops noticeably (more than 5 mm) you have a waterproofing defect — water is going somewhere it should not.
13. Water pressure at the furthest fixture
Open the tap at the fixture furthest from the main supply (usually the master bathroom shower). Compare pressure to the kitchen tap. A big difference may indicate undersized supply pipework — hard to fix later, easy to flag now.
14. Gas riser and gas valve (if applicable)
If your BTO comes with a gas supply, locate the gas isolation valve and confirm it is accessible. Note that gas works are licensed separately under EMA — not part of PUB scope. See our PUB Licensed Plumber guide for the regulatory split.
What to do when you find a defect
- Photograph and label. Wide shot for location context, close-up for the defect itself, with masking tape labelling.
- Log on the HDB defect form. The HDB Site Office should provide a defect submission form at key collection. Fill it before you leave the appointment — defects added later are harder to attribute to handover state.
- Insist on a copy with timestamp. Take a photo of the signed defect form and keep it in a dated folder.
- Get a rectification window. HDB main contractors usually respond within 14-30 days for plumbing defects. Get this commitment in writing.
- Re-inspect after rectification. Do not just accept that the defect is fixed — repeat your test (especially the bucket test for waterproofing).
What is and is not covered by HDB DLP
Covered by DLP (typically 1 year): plumbing leaks, slow drains, faulty taps, defective WC, water heater point issues, low pressure at original fixtures, bathroom waterproofing failures.
Covered by extended DLP (5-7 years): structural waterproofing in wet areas, concealed water pipe leaks, ceiling slab leaks from upper unit.
Not covered: defects caused by your own renovation, your appliances, your tenants, or normal wear and tear. This is why you should run the checklist before renovation starts — once a plumber has touched the system, it is harder to claim a defect under DLP.
If you are planning renovation right after key collection
Many HDB BTO owners renovate within 2-4 weeks of getting keys. If that is your plan, finish your BTO defect inspection first, then run a second plumbing check with your renovation contractor before any hacking or pipe modification starts. Defects you find at this second check are easier to attribute and split between HDB and your contractor.
Fortified handles HDB BTO renovation including plumbing scope with PUB-Licensed Plumbers — see our plumbing services Singapore page for the full process, or our house renovation services for the broader scope. For typical cost ranges including HDB bathroom re-pipe and water heater installation, see our 2026 plumbing cost guide.
HDB BTO Plumbing Checklist — Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to report HDB BTO plumbing defects?
The general DLP is 1 year from key collection date. Some structural and waterproofing items have a longer 5-7 year DLP. Report any defects you find as soon as possible — the closer to key collection, the cleaner the attribution.
Can I run renovation plumbing changes before defect inspection?
You can but you should not. Any plumbing modification you make before HDB inspection makes it very hard to claim the original work was defective. Finish your DLP inspection first, get rectifications done, then proceed with renovation.
Who pays for plumbing defects during DLP?
HDB and the main contractor cover defects that are properly reported within DLP, except where the defect was caused by occupant action, renovation work, or normal wear and tear.
What if my renovation contractor finds a defect not noticed at key collection?
You can still report it within the DLP window. HDB may dispute responsibility if the defect could have been caused by recent work — keep a clean paper trail of what was inspected, when, and by whom.
Do I need a PUB Licensed Plumber to fix DLP defects?
HDB main contractor uses their own PUB-Licensed Plumbers for DLP rectification. If you choose to fix something yourself (outside DLP), use an LP — see our PUB Licensed Plumber guide for what scope requires one.
Where can I get a plumbing inspection service for HDB BTO?
Most renovation contractors offer a pre-handover plumbing check as part of quotation work. Fortified can run a plumbing-only inspection or include it in a wider renovation scope. Request a quote with your BTO collection date and address.
