One of those days... pipes burst, apt. floods | FerrariChat
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One of those days... pipes burst, apt. floods

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by ryalex, Nov 30, 2004.

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  1. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #1 ryalex, Nov 30, 2004
    So, we had called the mgmt office 3x over the past year to tell them there's a leak in the pipes, as water leaks out onto the floor from under the tub when the water is on. Our shower tiles began to bulge and fall off, so finally they decided to patch the tiles.

    They started stripping the tiles this morning with a mini jackhammer, and when they got to the area over the water pipes, one burst. I noticed a rather loud, apartment shaking crash while sitting here surfing Fchat. The poor Brasilian carpenter ran out to the living room and tried to pantomime the problem... after seeing the water blasting from my wall, we ran to the basement where a torrent of water was streaming down over the water heaters, and began pulling every lever we saw to 'off.'

    Leaving the carpenter to find the right switch, I ran back upstairs and built a dam in front of the bathroom to stop the spread across our bedroom. It was about 2" deep in the bathroom as I bailed from the floor to the tub with the little wastebasket (my dam of towels and floormats was effective... my wife had wanted all new towels anyway). The water turned off, and I finished bailing the floor for the most part. My wife got home and started mopping up the kitchen - a hole had burst through the drywall and water was streaming there too.

    After mopping up the bulk of the mess, the carpenters found that the wall on the outer side of the shower is quite wet and rotting, so the apt manager had to call a roofing company and ask them if they could come today and examine the wall and figure out the source of the excess leaking... all in all this is becoming more and more of a project and I'm fearing it could be a 2-3 day ordeal.

    I'm trying to decide at what point do I make a push to get them to pay for a hotel until they fix it.
     
  2. Z0RR0

    Z0RR0 F1 Rookie

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    #2 Z0RR0, Nov 30, 2004
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA hilarious!!!
     
  3. tfazio

    tfazio Formula 3
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    #3 tfazio, Nov 30, 2004
    I am sorry to here about the flood. Plumbing problems are never fun. That is the problem with Apartment Complexes. Instead of fixing the problem when you first told them about it they did nothing. Now they will have to spend a ton more money to fix the problem. You should definitely see if they will put you up in a hotel until everything gets fixed. I would see if you can get them to give you a months free rent. Good luck.
     
  4. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 ryalex, Nov 30, 2004
    Yeah, it was actually a little funny cause he didn't speak much English at all, and then his workmate was a Scot with a *thick* accent... it's a wonder they can get things done. I felt like telling him to speak Portuguese, since I speak Spanish I could have met him half way.

    TFazio - I might push for a hotel. Not rent though, because none of our physical property was damaged; luckily, our dressers and such around the bathroom had legs tall enough to avoid being ruined.
     
  5. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 Texas Forever, Nov 30, 2004
    This is going to sound funny, but call Legal Aid. I know, I know, this is somewhat ironic. But I'm sure that they have tons of experience with your local landlord law.

    Dale
     
  6. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
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    #6 LetsJet, Nov 30, 2004
    Sorry about your problem Ryan.

    Make sure you keep the heat on and dry the place out thoroughly. You do not want a mold issue under carpets, on drywall, or in non-solid wood furniture.

    Good luck
     
  7. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 ryalex, Nov 30, 2004
    They said they'll prob run dehydrators.

    I'm recovering from the flu and that doesn't sound pleasant to add to the Nyquil dehydration I already have.
     
  8. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
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    #8 LetsJet, Nov 30, 2004
    I'm not sure what a dehydrator device is in this context. I've seen them used for food only. A dehumidifier would help but this cleanup has to be done now. I hope they are not scratching their heads ......and know what they are doing. If you have renters insurance you might want to call them and get it done right. Then they could fight it out with the company that did the damage.

    This has to suck when you've got the flu......
     
  9. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    #9 FarmerDave, Nov 30, 2004
    If you have renters insurance, the hotel stay may be covered by the insurance company. It would be on your policy's declarations page under "loss of use" coverage. Or just call your agent and ask if it's covered.

    All the towels and such would probably be replaced under a renters insirance policy too, as you were doing everything you could to prevent further damage to your belongings.
     
  10. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #10 BigTex, Nov 30, 2004
    An apartment at Texas A&M had tenants complaining about gas smell....a crew came out to scratch their head and their a$$, and left.

    Three fatalities the next day as the complex blew up.........

    Sorry about the water!
     
  11. TCM

    TCM Formula Junior

    Nov 10, 2003
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    #11 TCM, Nov 30, 2004
    Ryan:

    Sorry to hear about the burst pipe. Those are never fun. I would try to work out some remedy to let you live somewhere in peace for the next week or so. Either that, or get a break on your rent somehow.
     
  12. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

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    #12 SrfCity, Nov 30, 2004
    Tell the landlord that the place isn't liveable and you think it best to get to a hotel. See what he says then. If he doesn't volunteer to pay, ask him if you can deduct the charge from next months rent. Deduct it regardless. Just make sure he doesn't pull it from your security when you move.
     
  13. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #13 ryalex, Nov 30, 2004
    Well, I just got back from dinner at a restaurant to unwind, and we came back to see they've pretty much finished and the bathroom is operational. They'll be back tomorrow to finish the grout, but the shower is working (they put up plastic on the wall). I'm calm enough now to not demand a hotel.
     
  14. damcgee

    damcgee Formula 3

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    #14 damcgee, Nov 30, 2004
    The Aggie reputation is well earned, isn't it?
     
  15. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

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    #15 Miltonian, Nov 30, 2004
    Interesting "burst pipe" story here in the Seattle area this week. A lady opened her water bill and found an invoice for over $10,000! Seems the hose to her boat dock had popped off under water, and dumped more than a million gallons of water into the lake with no one noticing!
     
  16. damcgee

    damcgee Formula 3

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    #16 damcgee, Nov 30, 2004
    I wonder if she had to pay for it?
     
  17. RacerX_GTO

    RacerX_GTO F1 World Champ
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    #17 RacerX_GTO, Dec 1, 2004
    Is there structural drying in place since this happened?? (Large drying fans, ducts, containment barriers, dehumidifiers)
     

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