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(Memphis 01/10/2010) Lataras Mabern is cleaning up the mess left behind from a burst water pipe. The flooding is bad enough, but what's even worse she says, the water's coming from the vacant apartment next door.
With no heat or insulation, this week's freezing temperatures caused the pipe to burst, flooding the empty apartment and Mabern's.
"I had to instantly take the carpet up and throw the carpet out," said Mabern.
Mabern's things are now left out in the cold. Bursting pipes are causing explosive situations all over the Mid-south and it may only get worse.
"It started a little bit Tuesday but really kicked off Wednesday and it's been non-stop ever since. The worst is yet to come. When pipes start thawing out tomorrow it's going to really get bad," said Steve Zeigler of Roto-Rooter.
He says it's not the freezing temperatures that will cause the problems but this week's expected warmer ones. Once frozen pipes start to thaw, they burst. He does say there is still time to protect your pipes.
"Leave attic doors cracked so heat can get in the attic if you have pipes in the attic. Leave water dripping, leave all the doors to cabinets open where heat can get up there," said Zeigler.
The advice comes too late for Mabern. Now she's hoping her landlord will help replace what she lost.
The landlord said he did have maintenance men working on the problem. He said it would be up to the owners of the apartments to see if they will help replace what was damaged.
- Bursting Pipes Causing Major Headaches
- Experts Expecting More Pipe Bursts
- Saying Warming Temperatures Are To Blame
(Memphis 01/10/2010) Lataras Mabern is cleaning up the mess left behind from a burst water pipe. The flooding is bad enough, but what's even worse she says, the water's coming from the vacant apartment next door.
With no heat or insulation, this week's freezing temperatures caused the pipe to burst, flooding the empty apartment and Mabern's.
"I had to instantly take the carpet up and throw the carpet out," said Mabern.
Mabern's things are now left out in the cold. Bursting pipes are causing explosive situations all over the Mid-south and it may only get worse.
"It started a little bit Tuesday but really kicked off Wednesday and it's been non-stop ever since. The worst is yet to come. When pipes start thawing out tomorrow it's going to really get bad," said Steve Zeigler of Roto-Rooter.
He says it's not the freezing temperatures that will cause the problems but this week's expected warmer ones. Once frozen pipes start to thaw, they burst. He does say there is still time to protect your pipes.
"Leave attic doors cracked so heat can get in the attic if you have pipes in the attic. Leave water dripping, leave all the doors to cabinets open where heat can get up there," said Zeigler.
The advice comes too late for Mabern. Now she's hoping her landlord will help replace what she lost.
The landlord said he did have maintenance men working on the problem. He said it would be up to the owners of the apartments to see if they will help replace what was damaged.
