Pianotech

  • 1.  Mold?

    Posted 06-20-2018 12:46
    This is the second piano in one month that I have seen this exact pattern of what I think is mold.  The first house, with an Asian grand was a New England antique with known moisture issues, so I did not think it too out of the ordinary. The second, this morning, an S&S A in a very high end home, which just got a "no mold" determination from a building inspector (whatever that means). No obvious mold registers to me in smell. My smeller usually picks up mold instantly. Open plan high ceilings.

    Looks like some kind of mold to me. Anyone have any knowledge of this pattern of unnamed crud?

    ------------------------------
    Jim Ialeggio
    grandpianosolutions.com
    Shirley, MA
    978 425-9026
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Mold?

    Posted 06-20-2018 14:15
    Wouldn't be very hard to take a sample, put it on a slide, look at it under a microscope. To know for sure. 
    -chris



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Mold?

    Member
    Posted 06-20-2018 15:51
    there are a number of good web sites that have good pictures, descriptions and advice on mold including the usepa and massachusetts dep.
     
    while some of the staining or mottling on the shanks does not look bad i see some black patch on a hammer flange which is a red flag. further in the cavity , under the key frame, on the key frame , on felts, leather etc may reveal even more. proceed with caution and consult with a mold remediation expert or industrial hygenist . trying to scrub down or wipe off the mold without knowing exactly what type it is - not so good.
     there are many types of mold many that are harmless but also many that are harmful.

     mold needs moisture, darkness, organics to grow and thrive in and a piano can provide all three. high end homes are know exception. chances are high the r/h was high enough to cause moisture to collect or there was a leak. smell can be a clue but not always.
    i condemned a piano recently that was loaded with black mold advising client to have the piano moved by a qualified, trained
    mold remediation contract using proper safety measures including wrapping the piano to prevent spores spreading.

    ------------------------------
    James Kelly
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Mold?

    Posted 06-22-2018 08:51
    Looks like mold to me. Mold does not always smell.  Some of the most dangerous molds have no smell at all.  Effectively cleaning mold out of pianos is extremley difficult....spores hidden in the cloth/leather typically grow back later when conditions are favorable. One trick is to pack the action with gold bond powder....but it has to be the type with thymol listed as an ingredient. Apply it liberally throughout the action and wrap the action in plastic and let it sit for a week and then vacuum with with a hepa vac and respirator.  Any visible mold can be wiped down with boric acid mixed in water and alcohol.  I quit doing this procedure unless the piano is reasonably valuable. Any low end pianos with visble mold that bad I usually condemn. Hope this helps.
     


    --
    "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." -Romans 1:16



    Original Message