Waterbound

[Michael Magness]

On Sun, Feb 24, 2008 at 11:58 AM, Annie Grieshop <annie at allthingspiano.com>
wrote:

> 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
>
>
Hi Annie,

I came in late on this discussion, computer's been having troubles. I do
have some advice for you, sort of a combination of what's been said along
with some practical knowledge based on being in the same general part of the
country.
If it were me I would use some pallets, you know, shipping pallets, sturdy
ones, obviously, from the local furnace, woodstove or masonry supply places.
Cover most of your floor with them or at least enough area for the
pianos probably 2 deep just to be on the safe side. Most pallets are only
about 6 to 8 inches tall. Cover them with some of that 3 mil thick plastic
from the farm center or Menards to keep the water from wicking through and
1/2 inch plywood over the plastic then your plywood won't be ruined. You
will then have a temporary "floor" allowing you to still use your shop until
it's totally flooded and perhaps even then. When it's all over, pallets make
great firewood!
<grin>
Good Luck,
Mike

-- 
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of SMART?
Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com
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