Officials: ‘Power Wash’ May Have Caused Buckling in DePaolo Gym

Multiple tests of pipes, potential roof leaks and floor panels left contractors “perplexed” as there was no reasoning behind extremely elevated humidity levels that have long caused a warping of the DePaolo Middle School gymnasium floor.

Now a story about past maintenance may provide some insight as to the root cause of the problem – but the good news is there is also a solution.

The Middle School Building Committee on Tuesday was told the hardwood floors had been previously been washed using a heavy amount of water, leading to the warping and high levels, but a topical moisture barrier will help prevent issues once the floors are replaced.

“One retired custodian sent an email to (School Operations Director) Fred Cox on Friday, indicating that at one point they had washed the floors with water,” said Thomas DiMauro, project manager with Newfield Construction. “It appears this caused leaks through the floor boards and may have caused the issue.”

For months, the town has tried to uncover the root cause of high humidity levels below the floor, levels that exceeded 95 percent prior to abatement and remain around 90 percent even after the work.

DiMauro said flooring specialists Gugliotti Associates of Plantsville conducted multiple tests of pipe systems, checked the roof and were unable to find any issues with moisture leaking in. Finally tales of old maintenance work helped provide an answer.

David Gugliotti, owner of Gugliotti Associates, said a special topical moisture barrier and spacing will help prevent the issue moving forward. He told the committee Tuesday that the flooring comes with a one-year warranty on all parts, labor and installation, and additional warranty could be purchased as part of the package.

“With a topical moisture barrier treatment, we put a vapor barrier in and seal the seams,” he said. “It will provide another layer between the slabs. It’s important that we made sure there were no moisture issues because there will be 6,000 nails and with a continued problem, that would have meant potentially 6,000 areas that could be a problem.”

Members of the committee said they are happy to see the issue finally addressed and voted unanimously Tuesday to install a similar flooring at Kennedy Middle School as part of the renovation project as well.

The purchase comes at no additional cost, DiMauro said, as the replacement cost was already worked into the specifications for the project. There could be additional costs down the road, however, associated with other parts of the project.

One such cost was the replacement of lighting outside the schools. A move to LED lighting at DePaolo called for a change-order totaling $28,000 and a similar change order at Kennedy is expected to lead to a similar cost.

There is some additional “good news,” as well. The project remains on time and the district is preparing for teachers to return to the classrooms on Friday. Be sure to check back in with Southington Patch for further details.

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