The following is an excerpt of a private post to my friend Lewis. Although he has already received the -correct- reply, i.e., "total loss" in many cases, I'm including these comments for those times when that declaration is not an option. In my case, while working for a dealer and/or the school district, we had to make the best of some pretty bad situations. ------- Based on my experiences at a major dealership, and at L.A. City Schools, here's what (the collective) we have determined: 1. Some pianos will float (animals have been spotted using 'em as boats); 2. Others sink like a stone; 3. Except for inspection purposes, and then only if -absolutely- required, DO NOT remove case parts in an attempt to "dry out" the instrument. IOW, if inspection is required, put all the wet parts back on immediately afterwards, and do not move or disturb the current status of anything. Our procedure was to place the piano out of service (back corner of a shop where no one would attempt to play or repair it); wait at least six months before assessing the condition, and a year before touching it with a screwdriver. The conditions in the storage area would be considered "normal", i.e., same for that piano as for people and other instruments -- no special venting, climate control, etc. (We were fortunate to have indirect sunlight in a room with white-painted windows. I suppose that translated to mild heat, and probably discouraged mold and other nasties from growing.) That way, if the piano is going to return to normal at all, it will do so at a natural rate. Failure to do this will create both extra work and frustration -- case parts that no longer fit where they belong, etc. [See Fandrich's recent post about making soundboard samples -- heat, ambiance, heat. Same idea.] 4. Anything above does not consider real or implied pressures from insurance companies, who want claims to be resolved immediately for the lowest possible price. In such cases, explain the circumstances to both the client and the insurance company, but be sure to CYA on paper! 5. It is usually safe (death and taxes are guaranteed) to proceed with anything below the belt line on a local and more immediate level -- casters, legs, trapwork, etc., providing the exposure was of relatively short duration. Think of a sheet of plywood that gets rained on when bringing it from the store. Compare that to leaving that sheet unprotected in the back yard for the summer. 6. Other considerations I'm sure, but it's been a while -- minute details are sketchy in my mind. ------- Jim Harvey, RPT - who was spared from Floyd; only 30mph winds with gusts to 50mph.
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