Mold spore damage

[Michael Magness]

On 10/14/07, Ronny Boyd <ronnybyd at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>  Someone correct me if I'm wrong but a Heppa vacuum is one that has a
> Heppa filter in it which catches very small particles such as spores etc. We
> used them in the Power Plant that I worked in for vacuuming areas that were
> suspected to have asbestos and other small particles that could be harmful.
> Since it's not much different than a regular vacuum cleaner it shouldn't be
> a problem using it on a piano.
> Ron Boyd
> Milwaukee
>
>
>  ----- Original Message ----
> From: Israel Stein <custos3 at comcast.net>
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 8:55:13 PM
> Subject: Mold spore damage
>
> To the list,
>
> I recently examined a Steinway L - nice instrument, recently restrung
> and refinished - that spent a couple days in premises that were
> flooded. There is no direct water damage to the piano - but it did
> spend some time in a very humid environment, standing on
> water-saturated floors in fairly warm weather before the owners were
> able to move it out of there to a storage facility. The most obvious
> damage is to the finish - it pretty much cracked apart (looks like
> semi-gloss water-based nitrocellusose) in long, parallel cracks.
> Other problems include some surface corrosion on the strings, and
> totally gummed up action centers.
>
> They had flood damage technicians test air samples from the premises,
> and they found a high mold spore count (a particular mold specific to
> water damage). This requires that the premises and all contents be
> "hepa-vacuumed". Eventually I am going to see their report and
> perhaps even consult with them - but in the meantime, does anyone
> know anything about "hepa-Vacuuming", how it's done and what horrible
> things it might do to the poor piano (or not)?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Israel Stein
>
>
>
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Hi Israel,
I'm not familiar with the vacuum system you refer to however one of the home
claeaning companies her in my area has had for many years aroom at their
facility for removing smoke/mold and other odors. It is an ion reversal room
and items that have been smoke damages, ie rugs, drapes, furniture are
placed in the room and the doors are sealed and the process is run. I'm told
when the doors open it smells like right after a rainstorm., that fresh
smell. Perhaps something along this type of service would benefit the
instrument more, prior to the obvious work you'll have to do. I would hazard
a guess that at least bringing the question up when you consult with the
technicians would do no harm. You can get some more info if you google
"smoke/mold damage removal reversing ions".
Hope this is some help,
Mike
-- 
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing
is to not stop questioning.-- Albert Einstein



Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com
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