Students Temporarily Moved at Wheeling University Due to Issue With Water Pipes

Water pipe issues at a Wheeling University dorm led to 25 students being temporarily moved to other residence halls until the issues are repaired.

According to a statement from Wheeling University Vice President of Advancement Kelly Klubert, WU recently discovered that some water pipes installed at Ignatius Hall when it was built in the early 1990s were compromised and causing moisture issues.

"It should be noted that the polybutylene pipe used inside Ignatius has since been banned in the United States," Klubert said. "This type of pipe was pulled off the market just one year after this residence hall was opened, when the construction industry discovered the plastic pipes were defective and could lead to catastrophic failure over time."

Following reports of those issues, the university inspected Ignatius Hall, conducted testing and identified areas of concern. WU consulted with Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration and is implementing a plan to address the affected areas.

Eighteen student rooms were impacted, Klubert said, and 25 students were temporarily relocated.

Work on Ignatius Hall will begin today, Klubert said. After that work is finished, a third party will conduct additional testing before allowing the 25 students to return to their rooms in Ignatius.