Last updated: 2026-10-10
Seepwise arranges planter box and balcony waterproofing for Singapore condos and homes with built-in planters. Planters hold wet soil against concrete every day, so a failed lining or a blocked outlet shows up as seepage in the room beside it or the ceiling below.
What happens on the first visit
The specialist checks the planter outlet first, because a blocked outlet turns a planter into a pond. Then the lining condition, the joint where planter meets wall, and moisture readings in the adjacent room. If the planter sits on common property in a condo, the finding goes to the management, as BCA's guide recommends a joint inspection to establish cause (BCA Guide 13).
Why planters leak
- Outlets blocked by soil and roots, so water ponds against the walls
- Linings cracked by roots or by the planter wall moving
- Joints between planter and building wall left unsealed
- Overwatering that keeps the soil permanently saturated
How a planter is re-waterproofed
The soil and plants come out, the old lining is removed, the concrete is repaired, and a new membrane is applied with the outlet properly detailed. A drainage layer and filter fabric then keep soil away from the outlet before the planter is refilled. Ponding the empty, waterproofed planter before refilling proves the membrane holds.
Balconies
Balcony floors leak where the membrane meets the door threshold and at floor drains. A balcony that ponds after rain needs its falls checked as well as its membrane. If the balcony is above another unit, the same who-pays rules as a ceiling leak apply in HDB flats.
What is included
- Outlet cleared and checked
- Lining and joints inspected
- Moisture readings in the next room
- Soil and plants removed and replaced
- Concrete repaired
- New membrane with detailed outlet
- Drainage layer and filter fabric
- Ponding test before refilling
Painting over it vs a quick fix vs a proper repair
| DIY | Quick fix | Proper repair | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outlet | Ignored | Cleared only | Cleared and re-detailed |
| Lining | Untouched | Patch | Renewed |
| Drainage layer | No | No | Yes |
| Tested before refill | No | No | Ponding test |
| Lasts | Until next rain | Months | Years |
What it costs
Planters are priced by size and access after inspection.
Try the cost estimator or read the waterproofing cost guide.
Related guides
How it is done
- Check the outlet. The cheapest cause is ruled out first.
- Empty and repair. Soil out, lining off, concrete repaired.
- Re-waterproof. Membrane, outlet detail, drainage layer.
- Test and refill. Ponding test, then soil and plants back.