Burst water pipes cause problems for Boston area businesses, residents

Burst water pipe issues plagued Boston-area residents and businesses over the past few days as temperatures dipped to dangerous levels. 

In Roxbury, Lisa Jones said her homes’ pipes froze. Jones said she called her landlord and the landlord asked whether she had heaters to run near the pipes.

Jones said she refused to use heaters near her pipes and that the pipes later burst.  Frozen water leaked into Jones’ basement.

Jones said she had to take her kids to a hotel to let them bathe. Jones said she had to skip work on Monday as well. 

Building Commissioner William Christopher said inspectors would issue several citations to Jones’ landlord.

"It’s questionable whether people can stay in this house or not," Christopher said.

Overall, Boston officials received more than 150 pipe-related calls over the weekend. In 50 of the cases, the city sent inspectors to enforce regulations in buildings where landlords had refused to fix pipe issues. 

In Peabody, several patients had to be moved from Kindred Hospital after a water leak. In Hanover, a water main break impacted traffic. 

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