Fixing a leaking aircon in Singapore typically costs between $40 to $60 for a standard drainage pipe flush. If the unit needs a chemical wash, prices range from $80 to $120. Replacing worn-out Armaflex insulation on trunking starts from $150. A full chemical overhaul runs $180 to $250. Ceiling cassette units in offices generally cost 30% to 50% more than standard HDB wall-mounted splits for the same
Most Singapore homeowners only discover what an aircon repair costs at the worst possible moment — standing in a puddle at midnight, on the phone to whoever picks up first.
That is exactly when you are most likely to overpay.
This guide breaks down every common leaking aircon repair by fault type, with Decom Aircon’s 2026 pricing and the specific factors that push costs up or down — so you know exactly what a fair bill looks like before anyone shows up at your door.
Why You Shouldn’t Overpay for a Leaking Aircon Fix
Here is something most aircon companies will not tell you: the majority of water leaks in Singapore come down to a single, inexpensive fix — a blocked drainage pipe. The average cost to clear a clogged aircon drainage pipe in a Singapore HDB flat is $40 to $60. Full stop.
The problem is that without knowing the price landscape, it is easy to be quoted $150 for a “full service” when all your unit actually needed was a 20-minute vacuum clearance.
Understanding what each repair involves — and what it should cost — is the best protection you have against inflated bills and unnecessary upsells.
Cost Breakdown 1 — Standard Drainage Pipe Flush ($40–$60 per unit)
This is the most common fix for a leaking aircon in Singapore, and also the most straightforward.
What it involves: A technician connects an industrial wet/dry vacuum to the external drainage pipe outlet and pulls the blockage out from the exit end. The entire process takes 20 to 30 minutes per unit. No dismantling. No chemicals. No mess beyond what is already there.
What it fixes: The thick algae sludge — commonly called aircon jelly — that builds up inside PVC drainage pipes over months of use. Once the pipe is clear, water flows freely again and the leak stops.
What you should pay at Decom Aircon: $40–$60 per unit.
When this is not enough: If the fan coil itself is heavily coated with grime, clearing the pipe alone will not resolve the leak permanently. The dirt will continue shedding into the pipe and create a new blockage within weeks. In that case, the unit needs a chemical wash.
💬 Not sure if your unit needs a flush or a full wash? WhatsApp us your unit brand and when it was last serviced — we will give you an honest answer before you book anything.
Cost Breakdown 2 — Chemical Wash & Clearance ($80–$120 per unit)
A chemical wash is the next step up when the drainage blockage is a symptom of a dirtier underlying problem.
What it involves: The technician removes the front casing and fan coil cover. Specialised alkaline solution is applied directly to the aluminium evaporator fins to dissolve hardened grime, kill bacteria colonies in the drain pan, and flush the entire drainage path clean. The pipe is then vacuumed at the exit to remove everything that has been loosened.
What it fixes: Heavy dust buildup on the fins that restricts airflow, bacterial growth in the drain pan causing recurring jelly formation, and drainage blockages that keep coming back every few weeks despite regular flushing.
What you should pay at Decom Aircon: $80–$120 per unit.
The most important thing to check: A chemical wash that does not include a drainage line vacuum at the end is an incomplete job. The chemical solution breaks down the dirt — but that dirt still needs to be pulled out. Any technician who skips the vacuum is leaving loosened debris inside your pipe where it will compact into a new blockage within days.
When to choose this over a basic flush: If your unit has been leaking repeatedly despite recent servicing, if it has not been chemically cleaned in over a year, or if the air coming out smells musty even with clean filters.
Cost Breakdown 3 — Replacing Damaged Insulation and Trunking ($150–$200)
This is the fix that catches most homeowners completely off guard — because the leak is not coming from the unit at all.
What it involves: Your aircon’s refrigerant pipes and drainage pipe run through insulated trunking — typically wrapped in a foam material called Armaflex. Over time, this insulation degrades, compresses, or develops gaps. When that happens, the cold copper pipes inside the trunking cause condensation to form on the outside of the casing, and that condensation drips down your wall exactly like an internal leak.
Replacing worn-out Armaflex insulation is required when water condensation forms on the exterior of the aircon trunking rather than from the unit itself. The technician strips out the old insulation, replaces it with fresh Armaflex along the affected run, and reseals the trunking.
What you should pay at Decom Aircon: $150–$200 depending on the length of trunking affected.
How to tell if this is your problem: Run your hand along the trunking on the wall. If the outer casing feels cold and damp to the touch, or you can see moisture forming on the trunking surface rather than dripping from the unit itself, insulation is the issue — not the drainage pipe.
Cost Breakdown 4 — Full Chemical Overhaul ($180–$250 per unit)
A chemical overhaul is the most comprehensive single-unit service available — and it is the correct solution when a standard chemical wash is not enough.
What it involves: The entire indoor unit is fully dismantled on-site. The fan coil, blower wheel, drain pan, and casing are removed and cleaned individually. The blower wheel — which a standard chemical wash cannot properly reach — is soaked and scrubbed to remove years of compacted dust from between the blades. Everything is reassembled, the drainage path is vacuumed clear, and the unit is tested before the technician leaves.
What it fixes: Units that have not been serviced in two or more years, blower wheels so clogged that airflow has dropped significantly, chronic leaking that has persisted through multiple standard washes, and units producing poor air quality or unusual smells.
What you should pay at Decom Aircon: $180–$250 per unit.
When this is genuinely necessary vs. an upsell: If a technician recommends a chemical overhaul on a unit that was professionally serviced eight months ago, push back and ask why. A legitimate overhaul recommendation comes with a specific reason — a visibly clogged blower wheel, a cracked drain pan that needs removal to replace, or a unit that has failed repeated standard services. If no specific reason is given, a chemical wash is almost certainly sufficient.
Are Landed Property and Commercial Office Repairs More Expensive?
Yes — and the reasons are specific, not arbitrary.
Landed properties tend to need more frequent drainage clearances than high-floor HDB units. Ground-floor units near foliage, gardens, or open drainage pull in significantly more organic matter — pollen, leaf debris, insects — which accelerates jelly formation in the pipes. Expect to service every two months rather than every three, which affects your annual maintenance cost rather than the per-visit price.
Ceiling cassette aircons — the type found in most commercial offices, shophouses, and some larger condos — generally cost 30% to 50% more to repair for leaks compared to standard HDB wall-mounted splits. The reasons are practical: cassette units are ceiling-mounted, require ladders or scaffolding to access properly, have more complex internal drainage systems with motorised pumps, and take significantly longer to dismantle and reassemble safely.
For commercial spaces, a leaking ceiling cassette also carries the added risk of water damage to office equipment, server rooms, or stock below. If you manage an office or retail unit, a preventive maintenance contract is almost always more cost-effective than emergency call-out rates.
💬 Running a commercial space? WhatsApp us about our commercial maintenance contracts — fixed monthly rates with priority same-day response.
The Full 2026 Price Reference Table
| Repair Type | What It Fixes | Decom Aircon Price |
|---|---|---|
| Drainage pipe flush | Jelly/algae blockage in PVC pipe | $40–$60 per unit |
| Chemical wash + clearance | Dirty fan coil, recurring blockages | $80–$120 per unit |
| Armaflex insulation replacement | Condensation on trunking exterior | $150–$200 |
| Full chemical overhaul | Severely dirty unit, clogged blower | $180–$250 per unit |
| Gas top-up (refrigerant) | Frozen coils from low gas | Quote on inspection |
| Drain pan replacement | Cracked or rusted pan | Quote on inspection |
| Ceiling cassette leak repair | Office/commercial units | +30–50% on above rates |
Decom Aircon’s Transparent Pricing Guarantee
Every quote we give is itemised. You will know exactly what you are paying for before any work begins — the specific fault, the specific fix, and the specific price.
We do not charge call-out fees for standard repair visits. We do not recommend chemical overhauls when a flush will do the job. And we do not send a second technician mid-job to tell you the price has changed.
If you have been quoted a price elsewhere and want a second opinion, send us the quote on WhatsApp. We will tell you honestly whether it is fair.
Know what your repair should cost. Book with confidence. WhatsApp Decom Aircon now — tell us your unit brand, property type, and the symptom, and we will give you an upfront price before we arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fix a leaking aircon in Singapore?
In Singapore, fixing a leaking aircon typically costs $40 to $60 for a standard drainage pipe flush. If the unit requires a chemical wash, the price ranges from $80 to $120. Replacing worn Armaflex insulation on the trunking starts from $150. A full chemical overhaul runs $180 to $250 per unit. Ceiling cassette units in commercial spaces cost 30% to 50% more than standard wall-mounted splits for equivalent repairs.
Is a cheap $40 aircon service worth it?
Yes — if the fault is a simple drainage blockage. A $40 to $60 drainage flush is a legitimate, complete service for that specific problem. The price is low because the job is straightforward and fast. It becomes a red flag only if a technician charges $40 for a “full service” and leaves without clearing the pipe properly or checking the fan coil condition.
Why does my aircon keep leaking after servicing?
The most common reason is that the drainage pipe was not vacuumed after the chemical wash — loosened dirt was left in the pipe and compacted into a new blockage within days. The second most common reason is that the fan coil was cleaned but the blower wheel was not, so dust continues shedding into the drainage system. Ask your technician specifically whether the drainage line was vacuumed at the end of the service.
Who is responsible if my leaking aircon damages my downstairs neighbour’s property?
You are, as the homeowner. Under HDB and NEA regulations, all internal aircon units and their drainage piping are entirely the flat owner’s responsibility. If your unit leaks and causes water damage to your neighbour’s ceiling, flooring, or belongings, you are personally liable for those repair costs. This is why addressing a leak quickly is not just about your own home.
Do I need a contract for regular aircon servicing in Singapore?
For most homeowners, a contract is worth it if you have two or more units. Contracts typically lock in lower per-visit prices, guarantee priority scheduling, and include reminders so maintenance never gets skipped. For commercial spaces with ceiling cassettes, a maintenance contract with a defined response time is strongly recommended.
All prices listed are Decom Aircon’s 2026 rates for residential units in Singapore. Commercial and ceiling cassette pricing is provided on inspection. WhatsApp us now for a transparent, itemised quote.
