[pianotech] Flood Damaged Pianos

[Garret E. Traylor]

Rick,
Your premis is doubtful.  No way when a piano gets contaminated that it will durably function unless strings and felt to metal is replaced.  That goes for water damage of any kind and smoke also.
Like a car in an accident it needs to be put back in the condition it was in prior to the damage.  I have found that all metal parts and felt and wood anything organic is compromised. Replace, Felt, Leather, Pins.  I would imagine that most all the pianos in the area are a total loss.  I would not pretend to offer hope.  It will be months or years before the instruments are repaired.  Damage is already done wheels, legs etc.

 

You may find some exceptions but water and smoke is bad stuff.
-Garret

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of richarducci at comcast.net
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 8:15 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Flood Damaged Pianos

 

True, but that was 40yrs. later.

If they had been rinsed and treated with anti rust agent that might not have been the case?

Rick Ucci

Uccipiano.com

609-677-0444


On Nov 6, 2012, at 3:56 PM, "Robin Stevens" <pianobee at bigpond.com> wrote:

In my home town of Port Pirie South Australia we had a tidal flood in  mid 1930 where a great number of pianos had a foot or higher of sea water. The problem is that the water seeped behind the strings and saturated the felt. Even though the pianos were dried out the trapped water in the felt over the frame eventually corroded the strings causing them to snap at all times of the day. I arrived in the town 40 years after the flood and  strings were still going pop in the night. The bottom line is unless the piano is completely restrung, it’s a right off….Then there is the problem of veneers peeling off etc.

Robin 

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Stephen Grattan
Sent: Wednesday, 7 November 2012 1:39 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Flood Damaged Pianos

 

Hi Rick,

 

If they were sitting in water for any length of time I would be very concerned about structural damage from failing glue joints as well as veneer damage that might not show up for weeks or months.  If that happens and the piano is later condemned you could be on the hook- as any insurance company will not reopen a claim.  Protect yourself. Any newer pianos with MDF cabinets are especially liable to expand.  Once the MDF 'grows', it is beyond reasonable repair.
 

Steve Grattan

Lost Chord Clinic

 

 


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From: "richarducci at comcast.net" <richarducci at comcast.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Tue, November 6, 2012 9:26:43 AM
Subject: [pianotech] Flood Damaged Pianos

List, 
I'm starting to get calls from clients who were flooded in Sandy.

Can you advise about uprights and grands that were in a foot or more of salt water for days.

I know strings can be cleaned with water rinse and blow dried, and coated with Balistol, pedals and brackets as well.

What about exterior wood veneer ?
What other areas need attention?

I will be submitting estimates to ins. companies and don't want to miss anything.

Rick Ucci
Uccipiano.com
609-677-0444

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