Is it liveable to live in building where there is a big water leak?

Question

We live in an apartment building with four units and there are no other people occupying three of the units. About an hour ago, we discovered a huge water leak in the unit next to ours. The water boiler in the attic burst and water is flooding the attic, the level below, the floor below that one, all the way to the basement. There are several inches of water pooling in the center of each of the apartments. No water is on our side, but I'm worried about the structure of the building with that much water damage. We've started packing our stuff (we were planning on moving in the next few weeks). But now there is a large leak, and we are in the dead of winter. Sub zero temps, snow, etc--Chicago area.

Is it adviseable to stay in the building till we find a place, or should we just pack up and move immediately?

We have alreaady turned off the water valve.

The building is in foreclosure amd everyone left it--including the landlord. He let everyone stay till they had the money for a new place

Answer 1

Notify your landlord so he can get the water cutoff and keep the damage to a minimum. realize that what you are going to be dealing with, burst pipes in a hydronicaly heated building, means that you will probably not have heat till the pipes/boiler are repaired.
If you already have the place to move into locked down and the wherewith all to make the move, then now is a good time to do so.
As for calls to zoning, buildings departments etc, that depends on you and your perceptions of the situation.
First, in your honest opinion is there an immediate risk to health or safety of you, the sole occupant, or to the public. IE do you hear structural creaking and groaning coming from the building, does ti lean or lit.... Call 911
Second, as a sole occupant of the building, i assume that the other vacancies are do to a planned building renovation, so unless you are just litigious by nature or have it in for your soon to be ex landlord, give him the heads up so he has the ability to act to preserve his investment while minimizing further damage.

Answer 2

If the water has been turned off I would get out asap. If not, contact someone, that would be the humanitarian thing to do, then move. I don't think you'd have to worry about structural damage this early in time but, before something happens and it gets warm, leave. Insects would be the first worry, then other diseases.

Answer 3

If you have a place to go I would seriously consider moving. First, contact you landlord and advise of the situation, if they are not concerned then call zoning. Be ready to move, a call to zoning may get the building condemned or declared uninhabitable. You are subject to possible fires by interraction of electricity and water, and mold problems from the water standing.

Answer 4

Is the water stain more beneficial in the technique the middle of the residing room, or on the point of an outer wall? If more beneficial in the technique an outer wall, you'll have a roof, window, or diverse leak from the exterior the area rain water is stepping into into. If the water stain is more beneficial in the technique the middle of the residing room, probability is you've a leak upstairs someplace. If the leak isn't on the point of the washer or bathing room, it would opt for to ideal be in a water line that runs to that section. it would opt for to also be from a drain pipe coming both from the bathing room or washer. in additional than a number of circumstances there are drain pans below upstairs washers to snatch overflows and they have drain pipes. Or the drain pipe that the washer runs into would opt for to ideal be leaking. If there is no longer any crawlspace to get to the pipes, you ought to shrink out a small piece of the ceiling the area the leak seems to exercising uncomplicated what precisely is leaking. with extremely of success, it is going to likely be some element immediately ahead that you'll fix your self. yet, probability is you'd be wanting a plumber. I employ plumbers each and every of the time and trust me, you opt for a plumber to fix this maximum ideal. A leak untreated would opt for to reason you some major harm. If i grow to be going to call a plumber chilly, no longer information previous artwork, i'd save on with the decision businesses on your city. more beneficial efficient yet, besides the actual undeniable reality that, call some acquaintances or co-workers and get references. solid success.

Answer 5

I suggest you contact the building dept. in your city immediately. They can inspect and make a determination of the severity of the problem. If it's as you describe it would probably be best to move out until repairs cans be made.

Answer 6

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