Pianotech

  • 1.  Urine trouble now

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-16-2021 08:12
    All,

    Below is a picture I snapped of what cat urine can do to strings and agraffes (not to mention everything else that gets contaminated). Feel free to save it and use it to convince clients how important it is to keep their piano safe and secure, even when in storage. I'm this case, the car had access to the piano in the church sanctuary during renovations (even though they were advised to store the piano during that process.)

    Cat agraffes


    ------------------------------
    Allan Gilreath, RPT
    Registered Piano Technician & President
    Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
    Calhoun, GA
    706-602-7667
    allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Urine trouble now

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-16-2021 09:55
    Since I get posts via email, the image is small. Until I viewed it on the web, I couldn't see it very well. Ugh! What a mess! One interesting thing is, the copper and brass are obviously very corroded, but the steel looks relatively clean.
    I can't imagine the smell. Time for a respirator.
    One of the less desirable aspects of our trade. Urine for a treat!
    Paul McCloud
    San Diego

    Allan Gilreath:
    All,

    Below is a picture I snapped of what cat urine can do to strings and agraffes (not to mention everything else that gets contaminated). Feel free to save it and use it to convince clients how important it is to keep their piano safe and secure, even when in storage. I'm this case, the car had access to the piano in the church sanctuary during renovations (even though they were advised to store the piano during that process.)


    Cat agraffes

    ------------------------------
    Allan Gilreath, RPT
    Registered Piano Technician & President
    Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
    Calhoun, GA
    706-602-7667
    allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Urine trouble now

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-17-2021 07:49

    Last year I had the same thing happen to a little Kawai grand. Fortunately the strings survived unscathed but the urine corroded the agraffs so much they started to break. I replaced all 12 that were hit by the urine.

    ------------------------------
    Daniel Achten
    Chattanooga TN
    423-760-2458
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Urine trouble now

    Member
    Posted 07-17-2021 18:14
    Im dealing with a Yamaha G2 that a dog apparently used the legs and lyre as his favorite places to pee. What first looked like just verdigris on the pedal horns from either humidity or water damage turned out to be as nasty as it gets, The pedal box was stained inside and the felts reeked of urine, Even after several weeks of sitting on my covered side porch the lyre reeks. Yes I might get lucky trying to seal off the wood but I am not so sure it will endure and it will take several hours of time. After discussion with Yamaha I have concluded I can get a replacement lyre that comes with new pedal horns and not spend time on an uncertain outcome. The caster wheels all need to be replaced but I will seal off any of that wood which appears to not be as bad as the lyre.

    I have to tell you I do not know how someone could have lived with that smell. When I opened the lyre pedal box I nearly passed out. The owner said her last pet was a dog but that was 8 years ago...

    ------------------------------
    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
    ------------------------------

    Original Message