Water damage in schools because of the cold

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Dominique Scali

Sunday, 21 January 2018 20:45

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Sunday, 21 January 2018 20:45

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Several schools in Montreal have suffered more water damage than usual in recent weeks because of pipes frozen, a situation due to the cold weather and to the dilapidated state of the buildings, according to the Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys (CSMB).

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“It is sure that it comes to show the need for renovations in our schools,” said Diane Lamarche-Venne, president of the CSMB.

The minister of Education announced just last Monday a reinvestment of $ 740 million $ in schools for renovations.

The CSMB has found nine water damage to its buildings during the Holiday season. These cases are due to pipes that froze and then exploded.

And to save, not really the choice to turn down the heating when the school is closed, ” said Ms. Lamarche-Venne.

Six school boards in the greater Montreal area have reported water damage due to the cold, including three which confirmed that these damage are more frequent this winter than in years past.

Closures

Last Monday, the centre Pulse, Laval was forced to suspend its classes due to a “water problem” due to the cold, according to the Commission scolaire de Laval.

The next day, it was the turn of the primary school in Petit-Chapiteau Montreal-of having to close its doors due to ” water damage is major.” The incident is attributable to the crack of a valve in the piping of the school. “Nothing to do with the cold “, explains Alain Perron, head of media relations at the Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSDM).

Still, the 11 buildings of the CSDM have been affected by the cold during the Holiday season, that this is due to the breakage of a pipe or electrical power.

Wave ” unprecedented “

“It is a cold spell is unprecedented,” said Ms. Lamarche-Venne. This is especially the buildings built in the 1950s or before that are affected due to their lack of insulation, note-t-it.

The department has well have given are “historical” for a renovation, the dilapidated state of some schools in Montreal is such that this amount will not even resolve all the problems, ” says Ms. Lamarche-Venne. “We need 10 times more,” she said.

Ironically, this reinvestment undergoes will pose big logistical challenges for school boards, which are all “chasing the same contractors at the same time” to perform work. “And there was a great concern not to disrupt school activities. “