Imagine waking up to a house as cold as an icebox or, worse, a flooded room. These situations are a nightmare. Furthermore, disputes with landlords over repair costs are quite common. Enkostay is here to provide you with prevention tips and clear guidelines on repair cost liability to ensure you have a peaceful winter.
Two Simple Habits to Prevent Freezing
Freezing occurs when 'unmoving water' is exposed to sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, the key to prevention is maintaining a slight warmth in the boiler and pipes while keeping the water flowing.
Actively Use Away Mode (Oechul-mode)
It is very dangerous to turn off the boiler completely to save on heating bills when leaving the house for a long time during winter. Every boiler controller in Korea has an Away (외출, Oechul) function. This mode maintains a minimum temperature to prevent the boiler from freezing. Whether you are stepping out briefly or traveling for a few days, never turn the power off; instead, make sure to set it to Away Mode.
A finger pressing the 'Away' button on the boiler controller Let the Water Drip During Extreme Cold
If a severe cold wave warning is issued with temperatures dropping below -10°C, Away Mode might not be enough. In this case, before going to bed or leaving the house, turn the faucet (수도꼭지, Sudokkogji) in the bathroom or kitchen toward the hot water side and let it drip very slightly. Keeping the water flowing through the pipes is the most reliable way to prevent them from freezing solid.
Who Pays for the Repair if the Boiler Breaks?
The most sensitive issue when a freezing accident occurs is the liability for the repair cost (수리비, Suribi). According to Korean leasing laws and customs, responsibility is divided based on the cause of the failure.
Tenant (세입자, Seibja) Responsibility (User Negligence)
If the resident completely turns off the boiler power during midwinter and goes out for an extended period, leading to a freeze, it is considered a violation of the resident's duty to manage the facility with care. In this case, the tenant is highly likely to be responsible for the repair costs.
Landlord (집주인, Jibju-in) Responsibility (Natural Wear or Facility Defect)
If the resident took sufficient preventive measures, such as setting the Away Mode, yet a freeze occurred due to the age of the boiler itself or poor insulation of the pipes, the landlord is obligated to cover the repairs.
Therefore, it is always helpful to be able to show that you followed the prevention guidelines provided by the host or manager in case of an emergency.
Quick Korean Dictionary
동파 (Dongpa): Freezing and bursting (of pipes/boilers)
보일러 (Boiler): Heating system / Boiler
외출 모드 (Oechul-mode): 'Away' mode
수도꼭지 (Sudokkogji): Water tap / Faucet
수리비 (Suribi): Repair cost
집주인 (Jibju-in): Landlord / Host
세입자 (Seibja): Tenant / Guest
Enkostay hopes you stay safe and warm throughout the Korean winter. Following these simple prevention rules can prevent major accidents. If you encounter any issues with your boiler, do not panic; please reach out to your host immediately through Enko-chat for assistance.🏠