Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on spalling concrete in HDB flats

Jun 5, 2020

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for National Development for each of the past three years, how many reports of spalling concrete has HDB received for (i) owned and (ii) rental HDB flats respectively. 

Answer:

Spalling concrete is a result of natural wear and tear due to the corrosion of steel reinforcement bars embedded in concrete floor slabs. The corrosion is caused by moisture and acids in the concrete which can build up over time. Spalling concrete can be minimised through surface maintenance such as regular painting of the ceiling. If ceiling surfaces are regularly maintained, and any spalling concrete is detected early, spalling concrete is usually minor and can be easily repaired.  
 
For sold flats, flat owners are responsible for the maintenance of the interior of their flats. We encourage flat owners to regularly inspect their ceilings for signs of spalling concrete, and to undertake the necessary maintenance and repairs. In the last three years, HDB received a yearly average of 10 reported cases of spalling concrete per 1,000 sold flats, and 23 reported cases of spalling concrete per 1,000 rental flats.