The problem with broken pipes will turn out to be a trifle: a new danger in high-rise buildings after blackouts

After mass heating outages in Kyiv, residents of the Left Bank and Troeshchyna faced significant problems, including cold in apartments, water leaks from pipes, and flooding. Experts warn that these are only the first signs of serious consequences that can affect not only wallets but also residents’ health.

In apartments where the temperature has remained at 2-3 degrees for a long time, processes begin that will be difficult to stop even when the heat returns. In particular, the appearance of fungus is possible due to freezing of the walls, sharp temperature changes, and high humidity.

Krystyna Nenno, an expert in housing and communal services, noted that specialists are working around the clock to restore the heat supply. Although heat has already been restored to some houses, particularly in Troeshchyna, this does not solve the problem completely.

She also drew attention to the fact that the technical possibilities to restore heating until the end of the season are significantly limited in some areas. If the heating lines have suffered critical damage and need to be replaced, it will not be possible to provide heat until next winter. The situation can be aggravated by new shelling, which could undo the repairs already completed.

The biggest threat is fungus, which can appear over time. When the temperature in the apartments rises, the fungus will manifest itself in full. “After two months, people can see the real situation. As soon as the temperature rises, the fungus will bloom,” the expert warns.

The fungus is a serious threat to health, causing respiratory diseases, allergic reactions, and problems with the nasopharynx. Fighting fungus on your own is often ineffective, and professional treatment is costly and requires temporary relocation of residents. If there is no heating again in the next season, the fungus can return, even after disinfection.

Another problem is the bursting of sewer risers after freezing, for which the service organization is responsible, not the owner’s apartments. Even if the situation looks bleak, experts say housing can be restored if the necessary repairs are carried out in the summer.

Despite the seriousness of the fungal situation, to date there are no legislative measures to compensate residents affected by the lack of heating. Kyiv authorities are also preparing a plan for one-time payments of 40,000 hryvnias to residents whose homes were damaged by accidents involving utility networks. For this, you must submit relevant documents.

These questions are relevant, as many Kyiv residents are already facing problems due to the increase in tariffs for communal services.