The recent widespread power outage impacting southwestern Berlin has triggered a stark warning from the Federal Association of Experts (BVS) regarding the potential for extensive frost and burst pipe damage in unoccupied residential properties. Experts are voicing concerns about a looming crisis that could exacerbate the current housing instability following the blackout.
Ralf Masuch, head of the BVS’s federal technical department, cautioned that prolonged periods of unheated buildings, particularly with temperatures nearing freezing in pipework, create a significant risk. “Water within drinking water pipes can freeze, expand and rupture pipes and fittings, leading to considerable damage to building structures and interiors” Masuch stated. The danger, he stressed, isn’t hypothetical; it’s a predictable course of events in situations where buildings are left unheated.
The situation is particularly acute given the displacement of many residents following the blackout, with affected individuals temporarily housed in hotels, emergency shelters, or with relatives. This leaves a large number of apartments vacant and vulnerable. The BVS emphasizes that unoccupied dwellings are at a heightened risk of such damage.
Experts are urging proactive measures. Regular inspections of properties are recommended, with the imperative to ensure adequate heating. Where reliable heating is impossible, the association advocates for complete frost protection – specifically, shutting off the water supply at the main isolation valve and draining the pipes as far as possible. Dangerous and potentially catastrophic attempts to “thaw” pipes using open flames or inappropriate heating devices are strongly discouraged due to the serious risk of fire and additional structural damage.
Furthermore, the BVS advises that upon return to a property or after draining the water system, isolation valves must be slowly reopened and meticulously checked for leaks to prevent sudden pressure surges and subsequent bursts. The call highlights a critical intersection between infrastructure vulnerability, emergency displacement and the potential for widespread property damage – raising questions about municipal preparedness and the long-term impact on Berlin’s already strained housing market.
