So there I was....(II)

[Go Big1]

Pete, I can totally relate to your situation. 2 winters ago I was camping in Wisconsin with by oldest son (Indian Guides) when I get the frantic call from the wife that the 2nd floor tub won't work. Great, frozen pipes. I walked my wife through opening up the access panel to the main water shut off valve, then told her how to get her hair dryer out and push warm air into the 1st floor soffit (where the pipes were located). I told her that when the pipes thaw 1 of 2 things was going to happen, either the tub faucet would start working again, or water would start gushing all over the place. Wouldn't you know it that the latter happens, and she, in a major panic, starts turning the shut off valve for the main THE WRONG WAY! I wasn't home, but I am guessing we had water running from the 2nd floor down through the 1st floor into the basement for a good 5 to 10 minutes before she figured out the whole "righty tighty, lefty loosey" thing.

Anyway, I have since insulated that soffit as best as I can, and with some additional heat up there, the pipe has not frozen yet this winter. Just make sure when the property manager comes out to fix the damage, they address it in such a way so that it doesn't happen again.