For nine days a Cobourg man has felt helpless living in his downtown apartment.
Brad Mutimer lives on the top floor of a downtown apartment building in King Street in Cobourg and water has been coming in through the ceiling in various locations throughout the apartment since January 30, 2022.
Brad Mutimer has several containers situated around the kitchen area of the apartment he has with his two children ages eight and 11-years-old.
Since January 30 he’s been trying to get someone to help control the water coming into to the apartment.
The water is coming in through the roof as the snow melts. When the temperature drops below freezing it stops, but with the sun bearing down on the flat roof, most of the days, there has been water coming into the apartment through the ceiling.
Mutimer said he told the owner immediately and emphasized it was an emergency shortly after with the amount of water coming in.
The owner and the contractor were in contact immediately after around January 30, but since then there has been very little to no communication. Even going through the owners lawyer has been futile.
“I’ve heard from the contractor twice, but nothing has really been done.”
On Friday, February 4, 2022, Mutimer reached out to the Town of Cobourg for assistance. They sent him forms to fill out which he did on Tuesday, February 8, 2022.
“I’m hoping to hear from them get the ball rolling with everything else that should have been done by now.”
Mutimer also reached out to Today’s Northumberland as a last resort to help get the situation resolved.
Water is coming through the ceiling in various locations, the walls are bubbled out because of the water and water is even visible in at least one electrical socket.
For safety, at night before going to sleep, he flips the switch cutting off power to the area affected in the apartment
“It just keeps getting worse. When the temperature drops below minus two it stops.”
With a family below his apartment, if he doesn’t stop the water, it would be going down to them.
“I probably would have given up by now if it was just me.”
After reaching out to the owner, Mutimer said, “I don’t feel anyone but me cares right now – it’s kind of strange.
When Today’s Northumberland visited the apartment, Mutimer said the water coming from the ceiling was “calm.”
On warmer days he compared the water coming through the ceiling like a tap.
He estimates since the water started coming through the ceiling he’s emptied the largest container 150-200 times.
Approximately three an hour for 40-60 hours of the week he’s spent emptying the containers.
Mutimer works at Canada Pallet and said they have been very understanding with his situation.
“You do what you can, but there is only so much energy and strength and hours in the day.”
“I shouldn’t be here right now, but I don’t see my choices other than keep trying.”
Having no content insurance, Mutimer said, “I’ve never been faced with this before. It’s kind of a learning experience for me.”
Town officials were contacted and Chief Fire Prevention Officer, Chief Building Official and a Bylaw Officer came to the apartment and said there was a definite safety factor with the water coming in through the ceiling and near the electrical outlets.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the owner agreed for Mutimer and his children to stay at a hotel until the leak has been repaired.
“Work started over a week ago unfortunately it was more severe then we originally thought. (The) tenant will be put up in a room while the leak gets dealt with and look forward to having him return to his home,” stated the owner.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
