Pianotech

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

I would certainly want to get that thing out of there for that. 

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:22
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

I tend to agree with you Peter to stay on the safe side. My only concern is if there might be any bedbugs residing in the piano as well. Tough call.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:23
From: Peter Grey
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I would certainly want to get that thing out of there for that.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:22
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

Original Message------

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

The cost of moving is minimal compared to the potential damage to the piano. If they are depending on your expert opinion then you should recommend moving just to protect yourself from liability.
Perhaps some other remedy such as tenting can be used for the piano to rid it of bugs.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 19:16
From: David Pinnegar
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

Without a doubt. Apart from anything else the metal frame is going to expand wildly beyond design limits. Whilst humidity might not be expected to change doesn't absorption or rejection of humidity within materials change with temperature?

On a trip to an Indian wedding in Gujurat I found a Steinway of the 1930s which probably hadn't seen much maintenance in the past 90 years. The soundboard was split in multiple places and the tuning plank in need of a good dose of CA. Of course Indian summers are longer than 24 hours but it's a risk simply not worth taking.

On a tangential subject, I was shocked recently tuning the 1859 concert Broadwood. The temperature is around 5 degrees C at the moment and I last tuned it in May at around 15 to 18 degrees. It was still very substantially in tune. It's a constructed iron frame rather than a cast frame and on some of the struts there are 1/4 inch thick brass inserts which I suspected were for temperature compensation. Upon further research I found sure enough that to have been the case. In those days Broadwoods were sending instruments around the British Empire which included hot places - but none so hot as 150 degrees . . . 

Best wishes

David P

--

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
David Pinnegar, B.Sc., A.R.C.S.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
+44 1342 850594

Original Message------

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

It could be moved out and tented if there was worry about bedbugs.

I'm not an expert, but filling the tent with C02 or nitrogen might kill anything in there.

150 Fahrenheit would just kill the piano.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 19:30
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

The cost of moving is minimal compared to the potential damage to the piano. If they are depending on your expert opinion then you should recommend moving just to protect yourself from liability.
Perhaps some other remedy such as tenting can be used for the piano to rid it of bugs.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 19:16
From: David Pinnegar
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

Without a doubt. Apart from anything else the metal frame is going to expand wildly beyond design limits. Whilst humidity might not be expected to change doesn't absorption or rejection of humidity within materials change with temperature?

On a trip to an Indian wedding in Gujurat I found a Steinway of the 1930s which probably hadn't seen much maintenance in the past 90 years. The soundboard was split in multiple places and the tuning plank in need of a good dose of CA. Of course Indian summers are longer than 24 hours but it's a risk simply not worth taking.

On a tangential subject, I was shocked recently tuning the 1859 concert Broadwood. The temperature is around 5 degrees C at the moment and I last tuned it in May at around 15 to 18 degrees. It was still very substantially in tune. It's a constructed iron frame rather than a cast frame and on some of the struts there are 1/4 inch thick brass inserts which I suspected were for temperature compensation. Upon further research I found sure enough that to have been the case. In those days Broadwoods were sending instruments around the British Empire which included hot places - but none so hot as 150 degrees . . . 

Best wishes

David P

--

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
David Pinnegar, B.Sc., A.R.C.S.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
+44 1342 850594

Original Message------

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

Kevin, you might also review the temperature at which the adhesives used in the piano begin to soften. Hide glue, which was used as a structural adhesive prewar by most piano manufacturers, begins to get in trouble around that temperature I believe.

------------------------------
John Rhodes
Vancouver WA
360-721-0728
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:22
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

Based on what I have heard from you all. I called them back and recommended they move the piano for the day. I told them that hide glue alone has a melting point of 140 to 150 degress. They did not believe that bedbugs could be im the piano but in matresses and possobly couches. I thank those so far responding for sharing from your professional experience.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 19:46
From: John Rhodes
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

Kevin, you might also review the temperature at which the adhesives used in the piano begin to soften. Hide glue, which was used as a structural adhesive prewar by most piano manufacturers, begins to get in trouble around that temperature I believe.

------------------------------
John Rhodes
Vancouver WA
360-721-0728

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:22
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

For such short time biggest concern is deformations as result of moisture content change then thermal deformation( wood is significantly less sensitive to them then metall) I wood cover piano with heavy blankets an plastics taped to the floor and have humidifier runing inside the kiln with goal 70-80percent or have open water tanks under piano to raise RH.

Alexander Brusilovsky


Original Message------

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

move the piano. Traps can be put in the piano to monitor the presence of bedbugs since there is a lure in the trap and the bugs will stick to the sticky substance. If there are bedbugs in the piano it should be treated off site or they will get re-introduced. How to treat it is an issue that may require some consultation with museums and instrument conservation & historical preservation organizations .There are many places they can hide and it is not always just in bedding. Lots of good information on the ortho web site and another site that sells professional  pest control products to the public .Subjecting the piano to 150 degree temperatures is not a good idea when you consider all of the wood, glue, felt, metal, plastic in a piano as well as finish issues. Probably better to move and store the piano for a few days to make sure the treatment worked in the home and to test the piano before returning it.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 20:57
From: Alexander Brusilovsky
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

For such short time biggest concern is deformations as result of moisture content change then thermal deformation( wood is significantly less sensitive to them then metall) I wood cover piano with heavy blankets an plastics taped to the floor and have humidifier runing inside the kiln with goal 70-80percent or have open water tanks under piano to raise RH.

Alexander Brusilovsky


Original Message------

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

Contact Steinway.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:22
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

Hi, Ed,

It would be kind of hard to reach S&S technical services over the Christmas break. The move is this Friday.

Kind regards.

Horace





  Original Message


Original Message------

Contact Steinway.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413
------------------------------

Ed S. suggested to "contact Steinway".

Steinway's policy appears to be that a temperatures of approximately 150 degrees F represents proper piano storage.

I do not now exactly what temperature Steinway apparently thinks it is fine to expose their pianos to, but I can tell you that it is apparently their policy to store their pianos in semi trailers in an unshaded parking lot in central Florida in July for a week. I was there, I witnessed it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (human health is where these sorts of things are actually studied) "When temperatures outside range from 80 degrees to 100 degrees, the temperature inside a car parked in direct sunlight can quickly climb to between 130 to 172."

Average daytime high temperature in Tampa in July is 90 degrees F. So according to these data, a high temperature of 90 might result in a temperature of about 151 degrees F in an enclosed box.

Oh, and I can only speak to the potential effects of this sort to thermal treatment on one piano (the one I bought before knowing any better), but either Steinway can't effectively glue a pin block to a wooden frame, or exposure to 150 degree-ish temperatures appears to have deleterious effects on wooden glue joints.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 22:40
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

Contact Steinway.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:22
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

Kevin,
Yes 150 ° might cause damage to the piano.
There is little chance that there would be bed bugs in a piano, bed bugs need to be near food sources and pianos are not good food sources.
But to be safe the piano should be moved out.
Vikane is a safe alternative to high temperatures for a piano.  Sulfuryl flouride is not known to do damage to art, metal or furniture.

------------------------------
Blaine Hebert
Duarte CA
626-795-5170
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:22
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

Aside from damage from the heat which I can't imagine not happening, how on earth do they expect the humidity to NOT change with that kind of heat?

------------------------------
Maggie Jusiel
Athens, WV
(304)952-8615
mags@timandmaggie.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:22
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

Just how do they expect to achieve that temperature to eliminate the creatures in insulated walls? Under 2x4's; etc. Does it also kill the eggs? I assume the initial heating is followed by another a few weeks later...  Bugs will take over the world!

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-24-2019 15:12
From: Margaret Jusiel
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

Aside from damage from the heat which I can't imagine not happening, how on earth do they expect the humidity to NOT change with that kind of heat?

------------------------------
Maggie Jusiel
Athens, WV
(304)952-8615
mags@timandmaggie.net

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:22
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

Original Message------

Just how do they expect to achieve that temperature to eliminate the creatures in insulated walls? Under 2x4's; etc. Does it also kill the eggs? I assume the initial heating is followed by another a few weeks later...  Bugs will take over the world!

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

I spoke with my clients today and they told me based on everyone's feedback I passed on to them on concerns of placing their Steinway in this environment, they moved it out until after the treatment for bedbugs is over. They appreciate everyone's concerns and advise, and are somewhat comfortable that they would not be re-introducing any bedbugs back into the apartment when the piano is moved back. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everyone's timely response.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-24-2019 18:43
From: Blaine Hebert
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

Bed bugs do not live in your walls, they live on furniture where they can feed on you while you sleep. They arent termites. They are not likely to be in a piano unless the bulding is heavily infested.

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

Original Message------

Just how do they expect to achieve that temperature to eliminate the creatures in insulated walls? Under 2x4's; etc. Does it also kill the eggs? I assume the initial heating is followed by another a few weeks later...  Bugs will take over the world!

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Kevin,
I am a qualified entomologist and not just spouting off about something I know nothing about.
You might leave the bench in the house to get heated, if there was a bedbug around it might be on the bench.  It is unlikely that any would be on the piano unless the house was heavily infested.
Bed bugs are difficult to eradicate.  Good luck!

------------------------------
Blaine Hebert
Duarte CA
626-795-5170
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-26-2019 11:38
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I spoke with my clients today and they told me based on everyone's feedback I passed on to them on concerns of placing their Steinway in this environment, they moved it out until after the treatment for bedbugs is over. They appreciate everyone's concerns and advise, and are somewhat comfortable that they would not be re-introducing any bedbugs back into the apartment when the piano is moved back. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everyone's timely response.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420

Original Message:
Sent: 12-24-2019 18:43
From: Blaine Hebert
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

Bed bugs do not live in your walls, they live on furniture where they can feed on you while you sleep. They arent termites. They are not likely to be in a piano unless the bulding is heavily infested.

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

Original Message------

Just how do they expect to achieve that temperature to eliminate the creatures in insulated walls? Under 2x4's; etc. Does it also kill the eggs? I assume the initial heating is followed by another a few weeks later...  Bugs will take over the world!

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Someone stated that with such a rise in temperature that "humidity might not be expected to change". Whereas that is true, that has little to do with its effects on materials. It is not changes in humidity, but rather changes in relative humidity that causes wood to shrink and swell and can affect glue joints. I couldn't find a chart that shows how relative humidity would be affected by 150 degree F temperatures, but a room that is at about 45% RH at 75 degrees, when raised to just 100 degrees, the RH would drop to less than 10%. IMHO, 150 degrees would not only kill the piano because of the temperature itself, but would dry out the wood at an incredibly high rate. It would be like throwing the piano in an out-of-control kiln.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:22
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

Using an online calculator for RH, a typical room temperature of 75 degrees and RH of
50%, raised to 150 degrees, lowers the RH to about 5%.  Undoubtedly too low for a piano.

http://bmcnoldy.rsmas.miami.edu/Humidity.html 



------------------------------
Walter Bagnall RPT
[Better Music Piano Tuning]
Chillicothe OH
[www.bettermusicpianotuning.com]
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-28-2019 06:01
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

Someone stated that with such a rise in temperature that "humidity might not be expected to change". Whereas that is true, that has little to do with its effects on materials. It is not changes in humidity, but rather changes in relative humidity that causes wood to shrink and swell and can affect glue joints. I couldn't find a chart that shows how relative humidity would be affected by 150 degree F temperatures, but a room that is at about 45% RH at 75 degrees, when raised to just 100 degrees, the RH would drop to less than 10%. IMHO, 150 degrees would not only kill the piano because of the temperature itself, but would dry out the wood at an incredibly high rate. It would be like throwing the piano in an out-of-control kiln.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:22
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------

That is exactly correct Walter. Less than 5%. Since this would also be a relatively quick drop in RH (a few hours to get there, I assume) I think that there would be a tremendous risk to many parts of the piano. The first that pops into my head would be the finish. It seems they have decided to move the piano, which is the fest option, but it's a good exercise to discuss this. Temperature and RH are inexorably linked. If you change one, the other changes. Now let's talk dew point.....

------------------------------
Charles Rempel
Dampp-Chaser Corporation
Hendersonville NC
828-692-8271
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-28-2019 06:21
From: Walter Bagnall
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

Using an online calculator for RH, a typical room temperature of 75 degrees and RH of
50%, raised to 150 degrees, lowers the RH to about 5%.  Undoubtedly too low for a piano.

http://bmcnoldy.rsmas.miami.edu/Humidity.html



------------------------------
Walter Bagnall RPT
[Better Music Piano Tuning]
Chillicothe OH
[www.bettermusicpianotuning.com]

Original Message:
Sent: 12-28-2019 06:01
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

Someone stated that with such a rise in temperature that "humidity might not be expected to change". Whereas that is true, that has little to do with its effects on materials. It is not changes in humidity, but rather changes in relative humidity that causes wood to shrink and swell and can affect glue joints. I couldn't find a chart that shows how relative humidity would be affected by 150 degree F temperatures, but a room that is at about 45% RH at 75 degrees, when raised to just 100 degrees, the RH would drop to less than 10%. IMHO, 150 degrees would not only kill the piano because of the temperature itself, but would dry out the wood at an incredibly high rate. It would be like throwing the piano in an out-of-control kiln.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:22
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: High Temperature Steinway Stamina Query

I just received a call from clients who own a Steinway M located in the living room of their apartment in a Senior retirement community. Their apartment will be subjected to a rise in temperature to up to 150 degrees faremheit for 24 hours to rid of bedbug infestation. They asked me if this could subject the piano to damage or if it should be moved out of the apartment. I told them that since I was not sure, I would query my fellow techs to get your opinion omn whether they need to get it moved out before Friday when the temps will be brought up. I am concerned of course with adhesives, soundboard, ribs yet have no experience in a piano being subjected to these temps for 24 hours. The humidty was not expected to change. Apreciate your timely response if you have anything to help them make a decision to move it or to let it remain.

------------------------------
Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
------------------------------