A 65-year-old man was injured after concrete fell from his toilet ceiling at Block 127 Yishun Street 11 on 19 Jun 2025.
Mr Mohamad Hashim Arshad sustained more than 10 stitches on his head and injuries to his shoulder and knee. The retiree was discharged from the hospital on the evening of 20 Jun 2025.
65-Year-Old Man Suffers Head Injuries from Falling Concrete in Yishun HDB Toilet
The spalling concrete in the master bedroom toilet of the three-room flat gave way at about 4:30am when Mr Hashim was preparing for morning prayers. His daughter Siti Nurhashikin, a 34-year-old housewife, said the ceiling suddenly collapsed without warning while her father was sitting on the toilet bowl.
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Ms Siti described her father as “really, really traumatised” by the incident. Mr Hashim has multiple health issues and is on blood-thinning medication.
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) officers were alerted to the accident and conducted an immediate investigation on the same afternoon. They found loose spalling concrete on the floor of the bathroom.
HDB Provides Assistance Under Goodwill Repair Scheme for Yishun Concrete Incident
HDB inspected the entire flat and discovered slight bulging of concrete in the ceiling of the kitchen bathroom. While there is no sign of imminent spalling of concrete at the kitchen bathroom ceiling, HDB has arranged for contractors to remove the bulging concrete on 23 Jun 2025 for the residents’ peace of mind and safety.
The flat owners will receive assistance under the Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) scheme. HDB is coordinating with local grassroots to provide financial assistance for repair work costs.
Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam visited the affected flat and posted on Facebook on 20 Jun 2025. He spoke with Mr Hashim’s wife and informed her that assistance would be provided, including payment for repair works.
His volunteers are coordinating with HDB and the Town Council on the matter.
The affected unit was completed 41 years ago and upgraded under the Home Improvement Programme in 2018. As part of the toilet upgrading, new tiles and fittings were installed in the toilets and ceilings were repainted.
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No repair works for spalling concrete were conducted as there were no signs of spalling concrete in the unit then.
Ms Siti confirmed that her father’s ground-floor unit and the neighbour’s unit directly above had not undergone recent renovations. They had not noticed any signs of wear and tear in the toilet, nor were there any prior incidents.
Understanding Spalling Concrete Prevention and Repair in Older HDB Buildings
Spalling concrete is a common issue for older buildings, particularly in areas with damp conditions such as kitchens and toilets, according to HDB’s website.
The issue is largely caused by carbonation, a natural deterioration process that causes steel reinforcement bars in the ceiling to corrode and the concrete to crack.
HDB provided advice on preventing spalling concrete. Visible signs of cracks or holes should be promptly sealed. Residents can paint their ceilings regularly to prevent moisture and carbon dioxide from entering the concrete.
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Proper ventilation is encouraged as humid environments speed up carbonation. Residents can open windows, vents or doors when these areas are not in use.
For small affected areas, residents can repair spalling concrete themselves. If the affected area is large, they should engage a contractor to repair the ceiling promptly before more concrete dislodges and causes injury.
If left unattended, spalling concrete will spread to a bigger area and weaken the building structure.
HDB will continue to provide assistance and support to the affected resident and his family.
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