If there is a frozen pipe in an apartment building, can they not do anything about it?

Question

A pipe is frozen in one of the apartments. There is no cold water, which means no toilet flushing and obviously, no cold water to drink. We haven't been able to shower (only extemely hot water comes out) They are saying that they don't want to have to dig to find out where the problem is, since they will have to tear down the walls. They are saying that we have to wait until the weather heats up, which isn't anytime soon according to the forecast, but they offered us today, after one week, to make us move permanently to another apartment so that they don't have to fix the frozen pipe, if that is indeed the problem. Can they do this? If not, what legal action can be taken to ensure they fix the problem. I failed to mention, we are the only ones in this end of the building, so we are the only ones affected.

Answer 1

The other day, I had a unit whose pipes were frozen, and no water was coming out of any of the faucets. We knew what unit it was, and turned the heat up, opened all the cabinet doors, put a couple space heaters under the sinks to heat up the pipes, and let the faucets run (no water coming out). This took all day, and finally the water kicked on!

That same day we also had a unit whose water pipe froze, and busted, and flooded four of our units. We have to do some serious drywall repairs, and lots of maintenance calls to get floors, walls, pipes, etc. fixed.

It sucks that they waited a week to offer a move to another apartment, and I believe this would be your best option. They may want to get you out of the unit because of the drywall that will be going in and out of the unit. That can damage all of your belongings, and they may be taking that into consideration.

I don't foresee any building/apartment owner not wanting to fix the frozen pipe, because a flooded unit is going to be way more expensive than fixing it.

I suggest moving to another unit, but talk to your landlord about any costs that may incur while moving, since you are forced to do so (days off of work, etc.).

Answer 2

Sorry for you dilemma Bill, I'm sure there are lots of similar situations occurring right now with all this cold weather all over the Midwest and Northeast. If extremely hot water is coming out of the shower, put some kind of bucket or basin in the shower to collect the water. Let the water cool off to where you can handle it and use it to flush. If you want drinking water, do the same thing but make sure the container you are using is clean. I'm sure that someone would be able to point you to some attorney so that you both (you and the attorney) can be compensated, but if you like the apartment where you're at try what I said and after another week goes by and Global Warming kicks back in, just watch to see if the frozen water pipe when it thaws proves to have busted. There is a high risk of some major damage if that is the case and I'm sure it then will be in the apartment management's best interest to fix the problem. Other wise, let's hope it doesn't get so cold for so long anytime soon.

Answer 3

the numerous water coming in will come through a meter & will be on the line fringe of the abode. often on the nook of the abode. ( probably the aspect closest to the rest room or kitchen ) The pipes will run on your bathing room / kitchen especially a lot immediately likely up an outdoors wall. attempt to placed area warmers or a minimum of a hair dry on the wall. Open all taps a crack & attempt to get them dripping. turn the warm temperature on in you abode as extreme as you are able to. !! note iced over pipes can burst (very undesirable) next to the meter will be a close off valve comprehend were it really is!!

Answer 4

You can call the city and they will get fined. They can have you move however, especially if the city condems the building until it is fixed. Tell the landlord to put a space heater by the frozen pipe. It will defrost it.

Answer 5

report it to the building inspectors. where i live they use the word codes. if the pipe burst they will have more problems on their hands then taking care of it now. they need to put some heat in the other apartments to keep pipes from freezing.

Answer 6

Legally you don't pay have to pay rent unless they provide you with water and heat, so don't pay rent until its fixed, and contact the proper authorities in your area.