I guess it's too late, but you want to shut off the valve inside the (heated) house that controls flow to the outside (unheated) pipe and faucet. Then, open the outside faucet to drain the water remaining in the pipe until there is nothing left to freeze. Wait until spring, then open the main to feed the outside faucet.
Hoo boy. I think I need to go lay me some pipe.Due to these crazy winter temps the airbnb apartment I'm staying in, pipes burst. WTF does that mean to the tenants? I just know that I've met 2 supers, a service manager, and a neighbor in this building today and I'm not ok with that, lol.
Any helpful thoughts would be appreciated....
I can't tell if you are toying or asking an honest question... When the water in the pipes freezes the pipe expands... Just like ice cubes in the freezer or if you forget to take the champagne out of the freezer (personal experience). This causes the pipe to burst open, and typically causes an insane amount of water damage. It is unfortunate that this happened to you... This happened to a girl in the last building I was in and unfortunately she lost most of her personal belongings including a new laptop. The management company refused to help her even though it was the fault of a realtor who left a balcony door open in the unit above her in January.
I read the syllabus for Chemistry 101 at JDU. But that was about Escort - Client Chemistry. Advanced Chemistry 402 at JDU teaches that water expands when it freezes. The force of water expanding in a sealed pipe is enough to crack the plumbing pipes. (Put a can of soda out on the window sill or fire escape. Watch what happens.) At this point, you have a cracked pipe but no flooding because the ice plugs the crack. As the weather warms or someone turns on the indoor heat, the water melts, unplugs the crack and now you have a flood situation.
You can open all the windows and hope that it stays cold enough to re-freeze the water and plug the leak or they have to turn off the water from a main valve and go about replacing broken pipes (and pressure testing BEFORE they turn the water back on).
You could also call 311 and see if they have any advice:
http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/categories/housing-development/tenant-resources/index.page
But SERIOUSLY, I think that you have done all that you can. You notified the owners and the building managers and it is up to them to fix things up and do the repairs. You have to find yourself a new place to stay ASAP.
Stay warm ... AND DRY!
IT happened in my house because the water pipes passed thru an unheated garage. The water pipe going to an outside faucet burst when the temp was around zero. The pipe had a hole in it and water poured out until we discovered it and shut off the main supply.
I know a friend had it happen in a house that was not occupied. The heat was turned off because they were going thru a divorce. because it went on for more than a day, the water rotted thru th floor and caused thousands in damage
I guess it's too late, but you want to shut off the valve inside the (heated) house that controls flow to the outside (unheated) pipe and faucet. Then, open the outside faucet to drain the water remaining in the pipe until there is nothing left to freeze. Wait until spring, then open the main to feed the outside faucet.
Hoo boy. I think I need to go lay me some pipe.
originally from the south and warmer temps and even with living in NYC for two years previously, I never had this issue...so last week was definitely a new one for me. (more paranoia of meeting all the people in the building I was in!!!)
Happy holidays everyone!
xooxo. Kori
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