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A pipe burst causes major problems for apartment tenant, WFMY News 2 investigates

The damage would eventually lead to mold and mildew on the carpet and walls.

BURLINGTON, N.C. — Shawndra Cummings had just turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. She grabbed a towel and then thought she heard something.

“It sounded like water,” Cummings said. “I went over to the second bedroom; water was coming out of the ceiling.”

Water was pouring down on her desk and computer. A pipe had burst, causing a steady stream of water to rain down on her apartment.

“(There was) probably two to three inches of water on the floor by the time the water was turned off,” Cummings said.

Her desk and computer were soaked, and so were several documents and files on her desk. The carpet in the bedroom was soaked, and so was a portion in the hallway.

“It was a mess,” Cummings said.

After a few days, the unit started to smell a bit musty, and Cummings was worried about mold on the walls and baseboards. She contacted the management company about getting the unit repaired.

“The carpet needed to be replaced, the walls painted; I wanted them to check for mold,” Cummings said.

Cummings said the complex was not acting as fast as she’d like and she was worried about the possibility of mold causing a health risk.

“I reached out to [WFMY] News 2 because I felt I was getting the run-a-round,” Cummings said.

We contacted the complex and spoke with a manager. The complex was quick to make the needed repairs. The baseboards covered with mold were replaced. The walls were painted, and the carpet was replaced. The unit was also cleaned and sanitized.

“It worked out good, it did,” Cummings said.

The new carpet in the bedroom doesn’t match the rest of the unit, and Cummings has been told all of it will be replaced at some point. While it looks odd, at least it’s clean and safe.

“I want to say thank you to [WFMY]  News 2,” Cummings said.

 

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