Thankfully, Singapore is a place where aside from the occasional freak accident, there are zero natural disasters. In retrospect, our buildings don’t have to be specifically engineered to withstand high rector scale earthquakes, giant tsunamis and more. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to be prepared. While you may not have to fear recurrent natural disasters, it’s always good to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. In light of that, we’ve compiled a list of what damages can risk your property in Singapore.
1. Fires
Interior Design, Home Renovation Image Source: Chapter One Interior
While absolutely mundane, fires are actually one of the most imminent cause of property damages in Singapore. They can start due to a number of reasons – mainly due to shoddy electrical wiring, circuit explosions and unattended cooking in the kitchen. However, your property can also face damages by catching fire from your neighbors as well. These are all cautionary tales, and you can prepare yourself by installing a sprinkler system in your home, or by keeping a fire extinguisher at handy.
2. Pests
Interior Design, Home Renovation Image Source: Chapter One Interior
Termites and pests are the bane of every homeowner’s existence, and some can even sneak into tall apartment buildings. So whether you own a BTO or a landed property, here are some useful tips you can use to avoid these pests. You should always seal up leaky pipes quickly, seal the cracks, quickly sweep away all the termite nests (if you ever find one) and try to eliminate all termite entry points in your home.
3. Shoddy construction work
Interior Design, Home Renovation Image Source: Chapter One Interior
Shoddy construction work is another reason that your home might get damaged in the long run. So don’t give unreasonable deadlines to your workforce, or you might have to deal with a shattered false ceiling or some cracked walls. Instead, take your time, and be patient – it really is a virtue.
4. Cracking tiles
Interior Design, Home Renovation Image Source: Chapter One Interior
Last winter saw a huge cracking tile phenomenon when floor tiles all over Singapore started cracking explosively for no reason at all. That was, in fact, due to shoddy craftsmanship. The grouting between the tiles must always be at least 2 mm, and the aggregate used to install them must have the right ratio of all materials to avoid leaving air bubbles. If any of these things are disproportionate, you’ll find that your floor tiles might crack and it’ll cost you a fortune to fix them
5. Leaky plumbing
Interior Design, Home Renovation Image Source: Chapter One Interior
Laky plumbing and sanitation can cause a lot of damage – especially if your pipes are hidden in the walls. The moisture from the leaking can lead to damp walls, which may be invitation for termites and abrupt collapse.
