[pianotech] Humidity Damage

[Mckeever, James I]

Mike,

Thanks for your response.  I'm starting to examine pianos for the types of damage you indicate.

Jim McKeever

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Mike Spalding
Sent: Sunday, January 02, 2011 3:26 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Humidity Damage

James,

With 30 modern pianos, I assume you have a competent piano technician 
either on staff or on contract. This person is best qualified to 
evaluate damage which has occurred during the last 6 months, because 
he/she knows the condition of the instruments, and the level of care 
they have received, prior to the humidity swings.

As far as "the invisible damage that could have happened", it is pretty 
much the same list of normal age-related deterioration which happens to 
any piano in the upper Midwest, except it is accelerated due to the 
extremes of humidity you have experienced. Cracked wood, failed glue 
joints, corroded metal, and warped wood. Your humidity extremes have 
probably shortened the lives of your pianos, but I don't know how to 
determine how much life they have lost. A lot depends on how they were 
treated prior to the humidity events, and how well they will be treated 
in the future. In any event, your insurance is unlikely to pay for 
anything except existing damage. Latent or future damage will be 
difficult to claim. My best advice: Inspect for cracks, open glue 
joints, and warps while the humidity is at its lowest, and install 
Damppchaser systems on the pianos you care most about.

good luck

Mike Spalding RPT
Fredonia, WI (the other side of Milwaukee)

On 1/2/2011 2:26 PM, Mckeever, James I wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> The University of Wisconsin-Parkside has had extreme humidity issues 
> the last six months. In the course of connecting utilities to our new 
> building, our air handling equipment has been shut down without 
> notice. During the summer, the humidity was 80% for at least five 
> weeks, and this fall it dropped to 20% for at least two weeks. The 
> damage to historic reproduction instruments is obvious-snapped strings 
> and soundboard cracks.
>
> But our 30 modern pianos are a problem. I have been told that damage 
> may not be apparent for a year or more, but the insurance adjustor 
> wants to settle now. We have 38 year old Yamahas and Baldwin 
> Hamiltons. Other pianos are a mixture of pianos newer and rebuilt from 
> the last 25 years.
>
> I am in need of statements from technicians concerning the invisible 
> damage that could have happened. I need to be able to propose a 
> settlement which will take into account future damage.
>
> Thanks for any assistance you can provide me!
>
> James McKeever
>
> Professor of Piano
>
> Chair, Music Department
>
> University of Wisconsin-Parkside
>
> Kenosha, Wisconsin
>