Pearl Nursing Center: Mold Found in Resident Room - NY
State inspectors found the deteriorating conditions during a complaint investigation at The Pearl Nursing Center of Rochester on August 22. The bathroom in the occupied second-floor room reeked of urine and showed extensive signs of water damage that had gone unaddressed for months.
One ceiling tile was missing entirely. The remaining tiles were stained brown and covered with black material that appeared to be mold. Where the missing tile should have been, inspectors discovered an approximately one-inch unsealed gap in the concrete slab separating the second floor from the bathroom directly above it on the third floor.
The bathroom floor had multiple missing or loose tiles below the sink. Baseboard cove molding had peeled away from the wall, exposing damage underneath. The strong smell of urine permeated the space.
When inspectors interviewed the Acting Director of Maintenance that afternoon, he said he wasn't aware of any leaks in the room. He acknowledged that toilets sometimes overflow and water travels to the room below, but claimed no knowledge of the ongoing water damage visible throughout the bathroom.
One of the residents living in the room told inspectors there had been a ceiling leak several months earlier.
Work order records revealed a pattern of problems in the room dating back months. On July 2, a ceiling tile fell in the bathroom and was marked as repaired the next day. But the broader water damage and mold growth suggested the quick fix hadn't addressed underlying issues.
The toilet in the same room had clogged three separate times between May and August - on May 16, June 20, and August 14. Despite these repeated plumbing problems, facility records showed no work orders related to ceiling leaks during the four-month period inspectors reviewed.
The missing ceiling tile created a direct opening between the two bathrooms, potentially allowing odors, moisture, and contaminants to move between floors. The unsealed concrete gap represented both a structural concern and a potential pathway for further water damage.
Floor tiles that had come loose or disappeared entirely created trip hazards and exposed the subflooring to continued moisture damage. The peeling wall molding suggested water had been seeping behind the walls for an extended period.
The 72-bed facility failed to provide the housekeeping and maintenance services necessary to keep the environment safe, clean, and comfortable for residents, according to the state citation. The bathroom conditions violated multiple state regulations governing facility maintenance and resident safety.
The mold growth on ceiling tiles posed potential respiratory health risks for the two residents who used the bathroom daily. Prolonged exposure to mold can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other breathing problems, particularly dangerous for elderly residents who may already have compromised immune systems.
The water damage appeared to stem from plumbing issues in the bathroom directly above, where repeated toilet problems had been documented. Each overflow likely sent contaminated water through the ceiling into the bathroom below, creating ideal conditions for mold growth in the porous ceiling tiles.
The gap in the concrete slab meant that any future water problems upstairs would continue to flow into the occupied bathroom below. Without proper sealing and repairs, the cycle of water damage and deterioration would persist.
The facility's work order system showed reactive maintenance rather than preventive care. Staff addressed individual problems like fallen ceiling tiles and clogged toilets but failed to investigate or remedy the underlying causes creating the pattern of failures.
The Acting Director of Maintenance's lack of awareness about the extensive damage in an occupied resident room raised questions about inspection procedures and communication within the facility. The visible mold, missing tiles, and structural gaps should have been obvious during routine maintenance rounds.
For the two residents sharing the room, the deteriorating bathroom conditions meant daily exposure to unsanitary conditions, potential health hazards, and an environment that fell far short of the homelike setting required by federal nursing home standards.
The strong urine odor suggested inadequate cleaning protocols in addition to the structural problems. Combined with the missing floor tiles and peeling wall components, the bathroom presented multiple safety and dignity concerns for residents who depended on staff for assistance with basic daily needs.
State inspectors cited the facility for failing to maintain a safe, clean, comfortable environment - a fundamental requirement for nursing homes receiving federal funding.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for The Pearl Nursing Center of Rochester from 2025-08-22 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
Additional Resources
Data source: Official federal inspection data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Editorial process: AI-synthesized regulatory data, reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional review: All content reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Last verified: June 20, 2026 · Our methodology
The Pearl Nursing Center of Rochester in Rochester, NY was cited for violations during a health inspection on August 22, 2025.
State inspectors found the deteriorating conditions during a complaint investigation at The Pearl Nursing Center of Rochester on August 22.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the full report below for specific details and facility response.