Tyler Golletti, treasurer of the Masonic Lodge in Lisbon Falls, on Thursday shows the faucet that froze and burst after the furnace failed this week. Golletti, who is a contractor, estimates that between 1,500 and 2,000 gallons of water caused extensive damage to the second floor and the first floor ceiling, furniture and floor on the ground level. (Sun Journal photo by Andree Kehn)
The finish on the chairs in the Masonic Lodge in Lisbon Falls are damaged from water leaking from a frozen pipe over three or four days this week. (Sun Journal photo by Andree Kehn)
First-floor ceiling panels collapsed after 1,500 to 2,000 gallons of water poured from a broken pipe on the second floor of the Masonic Lodge in Lisbon Falls this week. (Submitted photo)
LISBON — The Masonic Lodge building sustained more than $50,000 damage after a sink faucet froze when the furnace went on the fritz this week, a spokesman said Thursday.
Tyler Golletti, treasurer and member of the board of trustees at the Ancient York Lodge No. 155 at 5 Oak St., said Thursday that the damage was discovered Monday when a lodge officer opened the door to the first floor.
“When he walked in he found it was raining from the entire ceiling of the dining area and parts of the kitchen,” Golletti said.
He ran to the second floor and discovered water spraying from the side of a faucet in a bathroom for the billiards room.
The leak likely lasted up to three days, Golletti said.
The waterline to the second floor was shut off to prevent further damage.
Golletti said 1,500 to 2,000 gallons of water likely flowed from the broken faucet through the two floors, causing an estimated $55,000 damage.
The furnace, as well as a water alarm, had malfunctioned, he said.
This is the first time he’s aware of a broken pipe in the building’s history, he said.
Fortunately, the furnace was up and running after the burner was reset.
Repairs will include replacement of a bathroom door and refinishing hardwood floors on the second floor.
On the first floor, the dining area of a couple thousand square feet will need to be gutted, including stripping walls and ceiling, and removing hardwood flooring, he said.
Part of the kitchen will need to be demolished as well, he said.
The lodge didn’t have property damage insurance, an oversight Golletti said has since been addressed.
The lodge has launched a GoFundMe site to help pay for the repairs.
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