SINGAPORE — Stalactites, typically found in caves, made an unusual appearance in a Singaporean man’s kitchen after a water leak went unnoticed for two
SINGAPORE — Stalactites, typically found in caves, made an unusual appearance in a Singaporean man’s kitchen after a water leak went unnoticed for two years. The 69-year-old homeowner, Wu, shared with Shin Min Daily News that he was shocked to discover 10 stalactites growing from the ceiling of his Serangoon North HDB flat.
Wu humorously likened his home to ‘Little Guilin,’ a well-known nature park in Bukit Batok resembling the rock formations of Guilin, China. The bizarre formations, some over 10cm long, have turned his flat into a scene out of a geography lesson.
How It Happened
Wu admitted that he rarely went into the back of his flat and was unaware of the leak until he finally walked into the kitchen one day and noticed the stalactites. He explained, “I have always slept in the living room and didn’t pay much attention to the back of the flat, so I didn’t notice it for a long time.”
The leak, which had persisted for two years, caused bubble-like formations on the ceiling as well. To manage the situation, Wu places buckets around his kitchen to collect the dripping water.
Efforts to Fix the Problem
Wu reported the issue to the authorities in September 2022, and although personnel were sent to inspect the leak, its source remains undiscovered. The situation even disrupted Wu’s plans to rent out one of his rooms, as he felt the leakage would affect potential tenants.
Neighbour Involvement
The likely cause of the leak was traced to renovations carried out by the neighbour living above Wu’s flat. Eight years ago, Wu’s lights and ceilings were damaged due to the renovations, which led to cracks that were repaired at the time. The upstairs neighbour, however, denies responsibility for the current issue.
Despite authorities conducting tests over three months, no clear resolution has been found. Wu and his upstairs neighbour seem to have maintained a cordial relationship, but the leak and its unusual stalactites remain unresolved.
It usually takes years for such mineral formations to develop, making Wu’s discovery all the more surprising.
Top photos via Shin Min Daily News
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