New Martinsville Health: Broken Toilets, Ceiling Holes - WV
NEW MARTINSVILLE, WV. Resident #79 couldn't use his own toilet for two weeks and had to walk to the nurses' station every time nature called, while maintenance staff left a gaping hole in another resident's ceiling that exposed unfinished wood beams overhead.
Federal inspectors found these conditions and more during an August complaint investigation at New Martinsville Health & Rehab, documenting a pattern of deferred maintenance that left 93 residents living in deteriorating conditions.
The problems weren't hidden. Resident #58 pointed out black substance growing on the tile and wall around the base of his toilet during an inspector interview on August 20. Nurse Aide #35 saw the contamination and acknowledged it needed attention, agreeing to notify housekeeping and maintenance.
But Resident #79's situation was worse. Pieces of drywall had been removed from his bathroom wall around the toilet pipes approximately one month before the inspection. While the toilet eventually started working again, he spent two weeks without access to his own bathroom.
"He had to use the toilet at the nurse's station," inspectors wrote.
Resident #87 lived under a large ceiling hole that exposed unfinished wood underneath. Inspectors observed the damage on August 20 at 10:53 AM, but residents and staff indicated the hole had been there for some time.
Resident #40's toilet lid sat on the floor beside the toilet when inspectors arrived. Nurse Aide #72 told them the toilet was broken, though she wasn't sure for how long.
The facility's Regional Director of Maintenance #116 acknowledged all the problems during an inspector interview around 1:30 PM on August 20. He confirmed the ceiling hole in Resident #87's room, the missing drywall in Resident #79's bathroom, the broken toilet and lid for Resident #40, and the black substance on tile and rubber baseboard in Resident #58's bathroom.
Only then did he begin working to correct the issues immediately, according to the inspection report.
The findings represent violations of federal nursing home standards requiring facilities to provide residents with a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment. The regulation specifically includes receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Four residents dealt with bathroom problems that made basic daily activities difficult or unsanitary. Resident #79's two-week trek to the nurses' station toilet was particularly problematic for someone likely dealing with mobility challenges common among nursing home residents.
The black substance growing around Resident #58's toilet raised additional hygiene concerns. Such growth typically indicates moisture problems and potential mold or bacterial contamination in areas where residents perform intimate daily care.
Exposed ceiling beams in Resident #87's room created safety hazards beyond the unsightly appearance. Loose debris could fall, and the opening likely compromised the room's temperature control and cleanliness.
The inspection occurred in response to complaints, suggesting these weren't recent problems that developed suddenly. The maintenance director's immediate acknowledgment of all four issues indicated facility leadership was aware of the conditions but hadn't prioritized repairs.
New Martinsville Health & Rehab houses 93 residents in a facility that clearly struggled with basic maintenance during the period leading up to the August 27 inspection. The problems affected residents across multiple areas of the building, from individual bathrooms to structural ceiling damage.
Federal regulators classified the violations as causing minimal harm or potential for actual harm to some residents. However, the cumulative effect of broken toilets, contaminated surfaces, and damaged ceilings created an environment far from the homelike conditions required by federal law.
The timing of repairs only after inspector arrival raised questions about the facility's maintenance protocols and resident advocacy procedures. Residents shouldn't have to endure weeks without working toilets or live under gaping ceiling holes while waiting for management attention.
Resident #79's situation was particularly telling. After spending two weeks walking to the nurses' station for basic bathroom needs, he still faced missing drywall around his toilet pipes when inspectors arrived. The repair work had been started but left incomplete, leaving him in substandard conditions.
The inspection documented what residents experience daily when facility maintenance falls behind basic standards. Black substances growing on bathroom surfaces, broken toilet equipment, structural ceiling damage, and incomplete repairs created an environment that fell short of the safe, clean, comfortable conditions federal law requires.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for New Martinsville Health & Rehab from 2025-08-27 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
NEW MARTINSVILLE HEALTH & REHAB in NEW MARTINSVILLE, WV was cited for violations during a health inspection on August 27, 2025.
Resident #58 pointed out black substance growing on the tile and wall around the base of his toilet during an inspector interview on August 20.
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.