[CAUT] Smoke damage

[Paul T Williams]

Hi Joel.

Four years ago a Baptist church experienced a smaller fire.. A candel 
tipped over (on the piano) on Easter Sunday!!  The fire really did nothing 
to the piano, but the fire extinguisher made a mess of things. Fortunately 
their insurance covered the major rebuilding of the piano.  New action, 
plate refurbish, strings, and I was able to clean the soundboard and 
brdges, etc.  No damage to the piano lid suprisingly.  It too needed new 
hammers and bass strings at the least, (a Kawai model 650). 

For this situation, I would carefully and cautiously expect that other 
than soundboard and bridges, the rest of the piano should be rebuilt.... A 
lot of cleaning will be involved so you should put that in your estimate. 
Smoke goes everywhere!  Make sure to examine the piano again once the heat 
has been restored for other damage.  Most of the smoke smell will be in 
the action and keybed.  All felts will retain the smell no matter what you 
do. (dampers and damper action too!)  Since the insurance co is covering 
it, charge what you would normally charge including the several trips to 
check things out, and, unless it comes to replacement cost, you should be 
fine.  Otherwise, help them out finding a good replacement piano and 
charge for your help!!  Being a wurlitzer, perhaps replacement may be a 
smarter call....

I hope this helps.

Paul



"Joel Levine" <involumes1 at cox.net> 
Sent by: caut-bounces at ptg.org
02/08/2007 02:50 PM
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[CAUT] Smoke damage






I am in the process of putting together for insurance purposes a quote on 
an older smoke damaged Wurlitzer grand piano.  The fire occurred in a new 
addition, away from the living room where the piano is located. Supposedly 
the restoration company cleaned up the house but a strong smoke smell 
remains.  There is no visible damage to the piano but I suspect there 
could be possible effects from humidity and lack of heat overnight.  Also, 
at this point it is impossible to determine if the smoke smell is imbedded 
in the piano.  I was planning to change the hammers on this piano before 
this fire happened, as it appears someone in the past refinished it and 
repinned it but neglected to change the hammers.  I am also assuming the 
hammers will retain a smoke smell as well as the wood especially in the 
action.
Any ideas on how to quote this besides carefully?
Thanks,
Joel Levine
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