Photos and descriptions documenting structural, system and overall building problems at the Wadleigh Memorial Library in Milford, NH.

1. BEHIND
THE
SCENES
@ THE WADLEIGH LIBRARY

2. MAIN LEVEL

3. All of the 1950 rock lathe/sheetrock ceiling
was secured by way of baling wire
wrapped around finished nails,
creating a suspended ceiling.

4. In several spots throughout the building,
the blown-in fiberglass insulation has
pushed through and is resting on wires,
pipes and the 1986 ceiling…

5. Above the circulation desk.

6. Above the circulation desk.

7. Area in front of public restrooms.

8. Area in front of public restrooms.

9. Area by Reference Desk.

10. Area by Reference Desk.

11. Looking down from the attic, directly above
the Circulation Desk/Staff areas.

12. Photos show lack of consistently installed
insulation as well as the many repairs over
the years (plumbing & wires were strung to
resolve problems in a piecemeal manner).

13. Looking down from the attic, directly above
the Circulation Desk/Staff areas.

14. Staff/ILL area. Condensation & leaks from
AC unit pipes.

15. In the 1950 portion of the building, original
cloth-covered wire is still being used along
with the white romex installed in 1986.
Both are now illegal and no longer used in
commercial buildings for fire safety
reasons…

16. Original cloth-covered wire & (white)
romex. Both highly flammable.

17. Sagging insulation over
Children’s Area
incorrectly installed
in 1986.
Heat escapes to flat roof
above it, creating
massive ice problems.

18. Stairwell by parking lot entrance.
Moisture infiltration coming through
1986 cinder block foundation.
Office. Original 1950
asbestos tile.

19. BASEMENT LEVEL

20. During the 1986 addition, new plumbing
was connected to 1950 cast iron pipes.
Subsequent repairs over the decades with
varying plumbing materials have created a
failing patchwork of pipes...

21. Ceiling by vault, showing mold & leaks from
2nd floor public restrooms.

22. Pipes under 2nd floor restrooms.
1950 pipe cut & plugged with paper.

23. (White) romex incorrectly installed. Over time,
building vibrations from traffic will cause steel lathe
to wear romex insulation away, down to bare wire.

24. In the electrical room,
cable, phone and
internet lines come in
from the street
through conduit.
When it rains, water
comes into the
conduit, following the
wires, leaking 1-2
gallons of water per
storm, filling the
bucket below.

25. Electrical room.
A cracked, cast iron pipe,
entirely encased in
concrete, had a substantial
leak. Repair was not
possible. Over the years,
rust has temporarily closed
the crack. This pipe
connects to exterior
downspouts for the roof. If
it becomes clogged with
leaves or sediment and
needs to be snaked, the
interior rust temporarily
sealing the crack would be
scraped away, causing this
substantial leak to return.

26. Electrical room.
Shows 1950 galvanized
(black) pipe connecting
into 1950 cast iron
pipe, which is entirely
encased in concrete.
All of the silver rings
along the black pipe
represent multiple
repairs over the years.

27. Storage room. 1950 building foundation
shows deep cracks and delamination
(pulling away from itself).

28. Storage room. 1950 building foundation
shows deep cracks and delamination
(pulling away from itself).

29. Elevator machine room has been taking in water
and moisture since the 1986 addition.

30. Lower walls and floors have extensive water
damage &mold due to building drainage problems.

31. Storage room. 1950
radiator shows rust
coming through from
core of radiator,
allowing hot water to
leak onto the floor.

32. Office. Original 1950
asbestos tile.

33. Storage room. Deep
cracks in floor have
allowed moisture &
leaks to permeate up.

34. TOP LEVEL

35. Keyes Meeting Room.
Shows extensive water
damage to carpet.
Cause: massive leaks
from outdated
drainage piping for air
handler.