Students are still relocated one week after a pipe burst in Mountainview residence hall on the Mount Carmel Campus.

The pipe burst Wednesday Jan. 29, around 7 p.m., flooding three suites and forcing 24 students to relocate. 

John Morgan, associate vice president for public relations, confirmed in an email to The Chronicle that it was a hot water pipe burst.

“We have determined that while a mechanic was working on plumbing, the pipe failed and burst,”  Thomas Rouse, director of residential life, wrote in an email to The Chronicle. 

Quinnipiac offered temporary housing to students in affected suites. Several students relocated to Hill, Village or Commons, while others stayed with friends or siblings.

“The impacted students have been offered an opportunity to relocate to other university housing while repairs are being made,” Morgan wrote.

Around 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, students in room 460 received an email from Shi Malcolm, residence hall director. Malcolm informed students that SERVPRO —Quinnipiac’s contracted repair company — would begin repairs on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 9:00 a.m. Students in rooms 260 and 360 began moving back in on the same day. 

“Unfortunately, testing in (460) indicates that moisture levels are too high, and that further repairs are needed before the space can be reoccupied,” Rouse wrote. “We are working to make sure the students who have been affected are able to retrieve personal belongings.” 

Rouse said the repairs are expected to take about two weeks. 

“Most of the damage involves water intrusion in the walls, particularly in this one suite,” Rouse wrote. “Sheetrock, insulation and ceiling tiles need to be replaced.”

The night of the burst students affected by the water received an email from Rouse around 10:30 p.m. 

“I want to take a moment to personally thank you for your patience, understanding, and positive energy tonight as we worked through the unexpected flooding in your room,” Rouse wrote. “I know this was a frustrating situation, and I truly appreciate your flexibility.”

Rouse followed up with students the next morning around 10:00 a.m. regarding information on when they could return to their rooms. 

“After further assessing the space, we have been informed that you will not be able to return to your Mountainview assignment until at least next week,” Rouse wrote. “I understand that this is not the update you were hoping for, and I appreciate your continued patience as we work through this situation.”

The night of the flooding, facilities were seen working on repairs in suite 460’s bathroom toilet on Floor 4 where the pipe burst. Water flooded on the floor at least an inch high to the naked eye. 

Water then flooded down to the second floor, causing ceiling tile damage and soaked carpets. Facilities workers and resident assistants told residents in suites 460, 360 and 260 to collect their items and they would be relocated. 

Several personal items were damaged, including a student’s laptop, several students’ bedding and more. The flooding also caused irritable fumes in the affected suites. 

Additional facilities workers and Student Affairs immediately arrived at the scene. They used vacuums to drain water from all the suites and worked to repair ceiling tiles. 

Workers checked the surrounding suites for damages but only the aforementioned three were affected. 

Information about the incident instantly spread to other students and parent pages on social media, causing concern and confusion. 

“(We) were walking by and then we saw a huge waterfall come down from the ceiling,”  Robert Testa, a first-year finance major, said. “And then the whole tile came down, basically making a Moutainview waterfall.”

To restore damages in the suite, trim was removed from the walls and SERVPRO continued with the repairations in the suites and hallways.  

At 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, students received another email from Rouse with steps to report damaged items. Rouse instructed the students to complete an Excel form with “a detailed list of all damaged items and price” and, “if possible, attach photos of damaged items and any receipts for affected belongings.” 

About a year ago, on Jan. 17, 2024, Mountainview faced a burst sprinkler head causing damage to six suites. Students affected by the burst were displaced for over two weeks.

“Our Facilities Management team is continuing to look at this incident and is working to prevent any future occurrences,” Rouse wrote.