I'm considering a condo unit in a building with approx 40 floors.
The building has 2 break tank, located at 17th and 34th floor.
The unit I'm looking at is on lv33. 2 units available, one is direct under the break tank, and another one is slightly offset to the left side of the tank.
May I know besides potential noise (understand depend on brand of the break tank and insulation), what are the pros and cons?
I'm not sure how break tank works, does it will affect the water pressure too?

Terima kasih sekalian!

1. The general rule is higher the floor, the lesser the pressure from water tank on top unless there's a pressure pump. This is simply due to gravity.
2. Pumps are usually installed at break tanks as water pressure from ground level is not strong enough.
3. Where there is pump, there will be vibration and noise, thus creating humming sound. Usually there's rubber insulation pads under the pump mountings, but over time, rubber insulations might hardened or old pump ball bearings wear out.

If I have a choice, I would not take the floor immediately below the flat roof simply due to heat and water proofing problems. Over time, concrete can crack, thus water leakages happen. Also if workmen work on top, sound can transmit downwards.

But there are also advantages to live on highest floor. You would not be affected by water leakages from upper bathrooms or blocked pipes.

This post has been edited by funniman: Aug 29 2025, 11:02 AM

There will be pumps, leading to noise and vibrations - no guarantee these will not affect you, even when the pumps are working fine. Imagine when its not in optimal condition.

Potential leakage from time to time.

Since its quite a big purchase, avoid these.

I personally won't buy +/- two floors from facilities, sky gardens, roof and break tanks.

Go buy other property. Forget about the pro and con UNLESS is dirt cheap.

Break tank level, floor above and below it is not recommend.

when new maybe not much issue, when the pump giving problem, there goes your peaceful day :X

My experience, cob may help, argue with management can spicy your living.

Skip and pass both units. Look else where.

I believe many forumers have given their suggestions to you.

I just top-up a bit. If this is a new project, tell the dev you wanna quit.
Since you have the money, the bargain power is in your hand. You leave.

If and only if there's a chance that dev is desperate, they may consider telling you that someone didn't get the loan approval hence "yet another unit may be available suddenly", who knows...

:mouth zipped:

This post has been edited by Jagalat: Aug 29 2025, 10:46 PM

What's your decisions??

Go with it or look for other units / project

Whatever we say, will you sleep soundly at night with the break tank above your bedroom ceiling?

If no, just skip la. So many properties around...

for peace of mind, i just giv it a pass, go look for others.

cannot be everyday worry ma

Good decisions 👍

Recently SA told of 1 last unit, below break tank unit. He says water tank room is at a higher level than this break tank unit. This break tank unit is just a reserve tank to allow water to flow to sprinkler system as this is a commercial development. So he assured no pump. So no noise.

Anyone knows of the technicalities as in whether he is accurate or not?

Ask SA to gip confirmation in writing. 😅

don't ever trust SA 100%

because their main aim is for the $$$ only....

What is he talking about? All fire fighting systems need to pump water to sprinklers, otherwise how to create water pressure and water fountain spray to extinguish fire?

This post has been edited by funniman: Sep 19 2025, 01:54 PM

If what U mentioned is right, then the pump noise is not an issue since it only operates when there is a fire. Once the fire is doused, then the pump will remained 'quiet'.😅

Yes, technically correct it would only work during fire but the pump is always switched on just like our house water pump.
Also need to test on regular basis and also to wash tanks as tanks get rusty, need to be flushed once a while. Pumps need to be serviced as well. So cannot say all would be quiet.

Newer Pump are noiseless, only worries if the pump spoil, the water will leak everywhere until the management fixes it

having said that, doesn't it depend on the location of the pump rather than the tanks?.. from my understanding, it's normally a pumping effect.. meaning the pumps will be at ground level, then mid level...so pumps to mid level, mid level to top level..
so the noise and vibrations would be at ground and mid level... is this a correct assumption?

just dont buy

Thanks guys. In the absence of written confirmation, it would be wise not to buy.

Buyin prop to enjoy not to worry. Enough items in life to worry.

Thanks again for good counsel.

This post has been edited by edkhan26: Sep 21 2025, 09:09 PM

my opposite is pump room ..... no sound at all, and good thing also im not directly facing other's people house main door .... (pump room not counted XD), not sure about top or bottom tho ...

This post has been edited by claudetan: Sep 23 2025, 02:52 PM

From my limited experience, the pumps are usually located together with the tanks.

In my current service apartment, I stay on a floor above the 20th. There’s a water feature at level 8, and the splashing sound is clearly audible from my kitchen whenever the yard door is open. Once the door is closed, the noise is no longer noticeable. That’s how distinct the sound can be.

Coming back to the pumps and tanks—since water flows into the tanks, you may hear it if the doors or windows of the tank room are left open. So, if the tanks and pumps are located on different floors, it’s best to avoid those floors as well.

Even if there's a written confirmation, don't think it will affect my purchase consideration - I still won't buy. What is "tolerable noise" to them or the authorities, might not be tolerable to you.