Weather causes waterline breaks around Muncie, affects Ball State students

<p>Teri Lightning Jr., DN</p>

Teri Lightning Jr., DN

Water main breaks are affecting more than class time as local life is being disrupted too.

RELATED: Classes cancelled in Cooper Physical Science after water pipe break, similar occurrences across campus

A few apartments in Muncie saw waterline breaks Sunday because of extreme temperature differences within the past week. 

As temperatures rise from the negatives, any ice in the pipes begins to thaw. This thawing water runs into still-frozen ice and creates pressure. After enough pressure builds up, the pipes can burst. 

Varsity House Apartments

Varsity House Apartments had a waterline break Sunday night, said general manager Naomi Friedrichsen. Two apartment buildings within the complex experienced flooding — one room on the first floor of one building and another on the second floor of a different building.

The apartment on the first floor had enough damage that Varsity House management moved the tenant to temporary housing, Friedrichsen said.

On the second floor, Friedrichsen said a maintenance crew determined that the flooding “did not create a big problem for the residents.” However, Friedrichsen is still evaluating the damage to both apartments. 

Any damage to the apartments or personal items will be covered by renter's insurance or Varsity House.

“Pipe breakage happens everywhere. Having an apartment complex is no different than having a home,” Friedrichsen said. “My house has had frozen pipes and last night they all came loose. It just happens.”

Beacon Hill

The sprinkler system broke in two buildings owned by Beacon Hill said manager Andrea Justice. 

All Kensington residents and half of Chesterfield residents were moved out of their apartments temporarily due to water damage, Justice said. Approximately 24 residents found shetler with friends or were placed in a hotel by Beacon Hill.

Justice said the hallways of the buildings received the most damage. The damage to the apartments will be covered by renter’s insurance and Beacon Hill. 

“This has never happened before —  it is just due to the prolonged extreme cold,” Justice said. “It should be up and running tomorrow.”

Terence K. Lightning Jr. contributed to this story.

Contact Liz Rieth with comments at ejrieth@bsu.edu or on Twitter at @liz_rieth.

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