A failed air compressor in a Cleveland parking garage set off a chain reaction that caused a significant water leak, flooding the garage along with several cars that were parked inside.
According to WKYC-TV, a broken belt on an air compressor caused the garage's fire sprinkler system to malfunction. Then, cold temperatures ruptured a pop fitting, which dumped thousands of gallons of water in the garage, which completely flooded at least seven cars.
A tow truck driver who pulled the vehicles out of the water told the station that all of the electrical systems inside are probably damaged beyond repair.
"We will be working with each of [the affected residents] individually to make sure that they are made whole as quickly as possible," the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority's CEO, George Phillips-Olivier, told the station.
The station says the problem was first reported by a resident early Thursday morning. It's unknown exactly when the pipe failed.
More similar issues may be popping in the city over the next few days. Wednesday, meteorologists told Reuters that the area would likely see temperatures about 15 to 20 degrees colder than normal for at least several days.
Archive for December, 2010
Burst sprinkler pipe floods Cleveland parking garage
Friday, December 17th, 2010Atlanta group issues new water conservation strategies
Friday, December 17th, 2010The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District has now issued eight new measures to help residents in the 15 counties that make up the Metro Atlanta area cut back on their water usage significantly over the coming years.
One of the steps will be the installation of advanced water meters at area houses, which will monitor daily water use. In addition, the system will also quickly notify consumers and utility companies of a potential leak, possibly preventing the damage that the leak could cause over a long period of time.
In total, the group says that within 30 years, the new steps should reduce overall consumption by 30 million gallons per day – roughly saving 5 percent of all water used in the region.
"These are all measures that local water providers are required to implement over time," Pat Stevens, director of environmental planning for the Atlanta Regional Commission, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "They're long-range conservation measures. They're not drought measures."
The state's water issues remain a major concern. The state is currently involved in a dispute with Alabama and Florida about using the water supply from Lake Lanier, which a judge has ruled Georgia currently has no right to use.
A How-To Guide for Checking for Water Leaks
Friday, December 17th, 2010December 14, 2010 — Pesky water leaks don’t always make themselves known through audible drips or visible puddles. In fact, the most troublesome leaks can often go undetected and cause homes or businesses to waste thousands of gallons of water as a result. Identifying water leaks, however, does not require sophisticated tools or machinery. With the help of some tips provided by American Leak Detection serving Massachusetts, anyone can detect a leak before the matter gets out of hand.
“With local residents working on curtailing costs and environmental resources, fixing water leaks should be considered a priority for the community,” said Jimmy Carter, owner of American Leak Detection serving Massachusetts. He goes on to put things in perspective by noting that a leak the size of a pinhead can waste 360,000 gallon of water a year – an amount enough to fill 12,000 bathtubs to the overflow mark.
According to Carter, members of the local community should be constantly vigilant of the water use in their homes. He says the following steps should be taken regularly to accurately monitor for possible water leaks:
- Check for changes to the water meter when there is no water being used – mark the indicator on the meter; don’t use any water for an hour; then check the meter. If the indicator moved, a leak may be present.
- Compare water bills from month to month to see if the bill escalates over a period of weeks or months.
- Inspect walls or floors for wet, spongy, moist or discolored areas.
- Examine building foundation for cracks, uneven growth of vegetation or earth shifts.
- Conduct a “Bucket Test” to check pools and spas for water loss. A loss of one-eighth inch or more of water in 24 hours is suspicious.
- Monitor the pool’s automatic filler; if it is continually releasing water, there may be a leak.
“If members of the local community notice any of the above symptoms occurring at their home or business, they should contact a professional immediately,” said Carter. “Left unaddressed, water leaks can cause costly damage to a building’s structure that may require labor-extensive repairs.”
American Leak Detection serving Massachusetts specializes in the accurate, non-destructive detection of hidden water, sewer and other leaks. Using proprietary equipment and methods, leaks are located without destroying walls or digging holes, thereby avoiding unnecessary property and other damage.
For detailed directions on the Meter Test and Bucket Test, please visit www.americanleakdetection.com. For more information about American Leak Detection serving Massachusetts, please contact Jimmy Carter at 800-755-6697.
About American Leak Detection
Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Palm Springs, California, American Leak Detection is dedicated to resource protection and eco-friendly services. American Leak Detection is the world leader in the accurate, non-destructive detection of all types of leaks including hidden water and sewer leaks. From swimming pool cracks to concealed plumbing systems, the smallest leak is located with the most advanced, sophisticated electronic devices – without bashing holes in walls or digging up the deck or yard. For the last nine years, American Leak Detection has been ranked #1 in Entrepreneur® magazine’s “Maintenance Products and Services” franchise sector. In February 2008, The Wall Street Journal included American Leak Detection on its list of the 25 top high-performing franchises. For more information on American Leak Detection, call 800.755.6697 or visit www.americanleakdetection.com.
Waters pipes continue to bust in cold temperatures
Thursday, December 16th, 2010The cold weather in North Carolina has caused several towns to fall victim to multiple water main breaks.
During this week in Raleigh, a road was closed after a pipe broke and workers had to make repairs. A similar situation occurred in Durham when a water main burst, and freezing temperatures in Fayetteville have been the culprit to major road disruptions. In all, almost a dozen pipes have broken since the beginning of the week, which has created dangerous icy roads for motorists. Repair crews have been battling the freezing temperatures in mud deep enough to reach their waists in an effort to replace a six-foot water main which burst.
A spokeswoman from the local Public Works Commission cites some of the reasons for the damage. "We have pipes in the ground that have been there for years, and there are a variety of different materials," Carolyn Justice-Hinson told WTVD-TV. "Most of them are still perfectly good pipes under normal conditions obviously with the temperatures dropping those are not normal conditions."
The Weather Channel says water pipes are best served when they are not in subfreezing temperatures, which validates Justice-Hinson's statement about the abnormal temperatures causing the substantial water leak that have caused widespread problems throughout the region.
Cold temperatures bursting water pipes in Atlanta
Wednesday, December 15th, 2010The drastic change from warm to freezing temperatures is increasing the opportunity for water pipes to burst, as was the case in an apartment complex in Atlanta.
WGCL-TV reported that the uncommonly low temperatures in the area caused a water pipe to burst open and flood five floors of apartment units. Shane Westerhold, a resident in the apartments, told the station he came home to the water leak and found that his carpets were soggy and there was over an inch of water in the kitchen. "Came home and there was water on my floor in my kitchen everywhere," Westerhold said. "It was seeping in from the bottom of the door."
Although flooded residents had been trying to reach the apartment maintenance crews for hours, they had not received word as to what was being done. The station recently reported that the Atlanta Fire Department had been sent to the apartment, but they were not able to stop the leak because the busted water pipe is on private property.
This situation is common in southern regions that aren't accustomed to freezing temperatures because pipes may be located in an unprotected area outside of the building's insulation, which causes them to freeze, expand and burst, according to the Weather Channel.