Watch: Apartment Freezes and Becomes “Ice Castle” After Absent Tenant Turns Off Heating and Causes Plumbing Collapse

Absent Tenant Turned Off Heating During Intense Snowstorms, Causing Pipe Bursts, Widespread Freezing and Serious Damage in Triplex in Trois-Rivières, Discovered Months Later During Renovation and Resulting in Official Eviction

An apartment in Quebec, Canada, turned into an ice castle this winter after a tenant turned off the heating during heavy snowstorms, causing leaks, burst pipes, and freezing, affecting a building in Trois-Rivières and requiring immediate intervention.

The tenant stayed away from the apartment for months and decided to turn off the heating system, ignoring common warnings during periods of extreme cold in the region.

Without heating, the extreme cold caused the pipes to burst, releasing water throughout the rooms and creating a thick layer of ice.

The affected property was a triplex located in a building with other similar units, which increased concerns about possible structural damage.

Discovery During Renovation

The situation remained hidden for a long time until renovations in other units required access to the vacant apartment by the responsible building manager.

Upon entering the property, the manager found frozen water on ceilings, walls, and floors, along with sharp formations resembling stalactites.

The scene was described as extreme by Jacques Nault, manager of the real estate management company Logispro Mauricie.

He stated he had never seen a situation like this in a residential property, highlighting many tenants’ ignorance regarding the risks of turning off the heating.

Savings That Bring Losses

In an interview with the Canadian portal Noovo Info, Nault explained that tenants turn off the heating to save money during prolonged absences.

According to him, the high cost of living leads people to believe that heating makes no difference when the apartment is empty.

Nault warned that this practice can lead to losses far exceeding the intended savings on the electricity bill.

Damages and Consequences

There was water in the ceilings and walls, a condition that promotes mold growth and requires complete removal of internal structures.

The management reported that everything will be removed, dried, and rebuilt according to the coverage provided by the building’s insurance.

Despite the severity, the neighboring apartments were not affected, preventing even greater damage to the housing complex.

The tenant was also in default, with overdue rent, and was officially evicted last Monday, the 5th, ending an episode that exposed the risks of negligence.

With information from Casa Vogue.

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