It Burns!! LITERALLY!! (RANTY!)

[lupo pazzesco]

Update.

Just for shits and giggles I tested the water temp with my meat thermometer this morning, before going to see the apartment manager.

153.7 degrees. Farenheit.

The absolute MAX I can handle my water temps when I intend to scald myself in the shower after a long day is maaaaaaybe 105. in short doses.

I went and talked to the office manager today. My cheeks and ears are still rather bright pink, and she asked about it. Perfect segue. I asked if there was someplace semi-private to discuss things because it's kind of embarrassing to talk about. She thought I was going to say maintenance barged in this morning without knocking while I was naked or something.

I explained what was going on and showed her one picture, the one I took of my upper chest and face immediately after getting out of the shower.

The maintenance guy who fixed my pipes in my ceiling was in the office and got on him, demanding to know if he fubared my water. He said no. She said to get to my apartment NOW and fix it. And this is before I even finished telling her the entire story.

When I told her where else I was burned, she was appalled. She did ask about checking the temp first, but when I told her about always knowing the point on the knob for favorite shower temp, she understood. I didn't show her the rest of the pics, and told her where else I got burned that did not get photographed. She's very sympathetic. I also took a pic of the thermometer under the running water. She didn't think the water got that hot from the taps here.

Either way, maintenance was at my place when I finished talking to her, and he tested all my taps, and sure enough. No cold. No ability to flush the toilet because of an empty tank. He left, and for the last half hour or so, I've heard him outside the building, banging on pipes and clanging around, so I'm assuming he's fixing things.

I was told if I did in fact have to go to the clinic, to let her know. She'd see if there's a form or some kind of voucher I can take in, so the fee bill gets charged to the apartment complex. She's going to call her supervisor to check on that, and I'll get back to her later. She's also planning on finding out just who, exactly, was on call for the emergency maintenance line last night. I have my cell phone records showing I called them at 10:20 pm, and that the call lasted 3 minutes,so it wasn't just a dial and dash. I left all the requisite info, asked for a callback and never got one. I think heads might roll, but given the owwie achiness right now, can't exactly feel bad about it.

More later as I learn it.

Only downside is, I think I'm going to end up missing work today. Sonofabitch.

[blas]

I hope whomever ignored your call and didn't call back gets in serious trouble, and I hope that if the worst case scenario happens and you need medical care, your landlord ends up paying for it.

What useless, idiotic, moronic, worthless bastards.....I feel so bad for you right now.

[jedimaster91]

Gibbs' Rule #3: "Don't believe what you're told. Double check."
Gibbs' Rule #8: "Never take anything or granted.".

OMG, I love you.


So sorry this happened, Lupo. Karma needs to drop a crapton of tea and cookies at your doorstep because she's been really crappy to you lately.

[trailerparkmedic]

Did you get blisters or just redness where you were burnt? If you got blisters, be very careful when they start popping because it can get infected. Try using some Neosporin. Seeing your campus health people is a VERY good idea.

Also, try taking some Advil or Aleve for the pain.

[r2cagle]

I have aloe plants on my patio, and I pretty much butchered one of them to apply to the owies.

This is a little late and after the fact, but egg whites will also help draw out the heat and sooth the burn. Not sure why it works, but it really does! Also helps break a fever too.. weird, I know. So always keep eggs around...

Hope you feel better and heal quickly, Lupo.

[HYHYBT]

Well, most people keep eggs in the refrigerator, so they're nice and cold...

Hot water isn't supposed to be over 125 even in the tank, precisely in case something like this happens.

[Aethian]

Anymore updates?

[lupo pazzesco]

Another update

So, after maintenance banged around, clanked around, and I went back to the office to find out what was going on, I get told that it's something to do with the city waterline, nothing to do with stuff that is the property's responsibility. So, if I were to try and get any medical attention and get compensation, I'd have to go through the city of Houston, because the property management company had nothing to do with my getting hurt. Apparently the valves to the city water pipes or mains or something froze, and they believe this means there is ice somewhere in the pipes, since the valves can't be turned. At least that's what I understand. Result is it's the pipes that affect my entire building. I'm just the lucky one who discovered it first. The water to my entire building has been shut off and a rush order to the city has been placed.

Further, the maintenance man on call when I called the emergency line last night had not shown up on property as of my last check in with the office a few hours ago. I went to a coffee shop for a while, since no cold water = no functioning toilet. I went somewhere with a working bathroom and did some reading and writing for one of my finals. I came back recently, and it looks like I'm back at square one. Have hot water, but no cold. The notice on my door says it will be shut off between now and 5 pm, and hopefully fixed by then. Again I say, we shall see.

I decided to give it until tomorrow to see if the burns on the sensitive regions start to feel better. If not, since i have to go to campus for a final anyways, I'll hit the health center there and talk to the pharmacist, see what she recommends. If it's a prescription, odds are i might be able to get an emergency one written and filled without being charged a copay for a doctor's visit, but we shall see.

And that's all I've got for now. I really, REALLY want to wash my hair. I've decided to fill my biggest pot, add some of those cold packs I use in my lunch box and use that to wash and rinse my hair. Sort of like a sponge bath for my hair. We'll see how that works.

Did you get blisters or just redness where you were burnt? If you got blisters, be very careful when they start popping because it can get infected. Try using some Neosporin. Seeing your campus health people is a VERY good idea.

Also, try taking some Advil or Aleve for the pain.

No blisters, but lots of redness, and overly sensitive skin right now. redness has faded, but some parts of the skin still feel warmer to the touch than others. I do have neosporin in case blisters do show up after all the chafing and rubbing because of the locations of the burns. Didn't think about taking advil or aleve because it's topical pain, not internal, but if it works, I'm all for it. Thanks.

[Broomjockey]

No blisters, but lots of redness, and overly sensitive skin right now. redness has faded, but some parts of the skin still feel warmer to the touch than others.

Aw, geez Lupo I'd offer a hug for all the crap you've gone through, but it'd hurt more than help, at this point.

[fireheart]

I don't know if they have it in America, but there's a product that I used to use on areas that were prone to blisters, such as my toes, called Lucas's Papaw Ointment. Basically, it has a balming effect, meaning that if I smear it over my blisters, the result smells more plesant than rubbing something like vaseline over it. (and yes, I have found it to work wonders for burns)

[lupo pazzesco]

Aw, geez Lupo I'd offer a hug for all the crap you've gone through, but it'd hurt more than help, at this point.

If it was approached from the side, maybe, but yeah otherwise? No touchies... Thanks though.

I don't know if they have it in America, but there's a product that I used to use on areas that were prone to blisters, such as my toes, called Lucas's Papaw Ointment. Basically, it has a balming effect, meaning that if I smear it over my blisters, the result smells more plesant than rubbing something like vaseline over it. (and yes, I have found it to work wonders for burns)

My grandma actually told me about that not half an hour ago. Though, according to her, she had to get a prescription for it, so it's 'script only in the US, apparently. Boo.

I still feel ucky, since I never got a shower. I'm going to run a bath, and let it cool a bit before climbing in and getting clean. the hair washing bit worked out reasonably well.

Oh, and I spoke with the office again. City came out to assess the problem. They won't be out to fix it until tomorrow though, supposedly. We shall see. (I seem to be saying that an awful lot...)

[Cat]

I wanted ti post at work, but it got crazy.

*virtual non touching hugs* I hope you heal well and fast, Lupo.

[BookstoreEscapee]

That happened to me once when I lived in PA. I turned on the kitchen sink and had only scalding hot water. Checked the bathroom sink and it was the same. Too hot to brush my teeth, let alone take a shower. I called the emergency line (of course it was at night) and they said someone would check on it. I never heard back but an hour or so later it was back to normal, so I had no idea if they actually did anything or not. I hope they get yours fixed soon.

Is there somewhere on campus you can take a shower? (Gym locker room or something?)

[Aethian]

I have a feeling from other things you have said about this place that they are in fault for some of this freezing.

Hope your skin feels less sensitive soon.

[HYHYBT]

So how is it, if the city supply is cut off, you still have HOT water? That shouldn't be possible.

And it shouldn't be 150+ degrees, either.