Waterbound

[Fenton Murray]

Annie,
For lack of anything better, block them up rather than the dolly. 4x6 blocks 
18" long, or 4x10 or 12. however high you need them. Also, find the low spot 
in the floor and use a sump (submersible pump) or a pump. Good luck. You can 
leave a piano on a dolly as long as you like, I just don't like to in 
earthquake country.

Fenton
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Annie Grieshop" <annie at allthingspiano.com>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 9:58 AM
Subject: Waterbound


> One thing (among many) that I've learned from this List is that y'all 
> always
> have good ideas and different perspectives.  So, here's my newest dilemma,
> with which I'd appreciate your help.
>
> The initial question is:  if I put a big ol' upright on a dolly, how long
> can I leave it there safely?  Will it stress the piano (assuming it's not
> afraid of heights)?
>
> The reason...
> When I bought this place, I was warned that I might see "some moisture" on
> the shop floor in the spring.  Now that the shop is full of pianos and
> tools, I know that "some moisture" actually means "enough to float a small
> boat".  And here are the general conditions:
> 1)  there's no place else to go with the pianos, which include one grand,
> the BOU, and four consoles
> 2)  water has already come through the foundation and up through the 
> jointed
> concrete slab floor
> 3)  the shop is currently surrounded by several feet of snow and ice
> 4)  I'm nervous about trying to seal the foundation/floor now, before I 
> have
> any idea what will happen -- I'd hate to crack or buckle something because 
> I
> tried to block water that I could redirect with drainage later
> 5)  I work and live alone
>
> So, water's bound to come in.  And the question is:  how can I best 
> protect
> the instruments and still be able to get the water out of there?  I have 
> two
> dollies, but I'm also looking for more ideas.  Much as I hope none of 
> y'all
> has ever been faced with this kind of problem, I suspect at least a couple
> of you have.  What did you do and how did it work out?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Annie Grieshop
>
>
>