Hi, All:

I rent an old house under which sits a moldy, musty basement. A week ago, I planted cucumber seeds in some indoor starter trays. They sprouted nicely, and then promptly succumbed to a fuzzy white covering that looks like mold. OK, no big deal at the loss of a few cucumber seeds, but I'm wondering if there are mold spores in the upper region of the house - what will this do to a piano? Trying to rid the basement of the mold is beyond my ability. Any suggestions on what I can do to keep the spores under control in the living areas of the house or anything I can do to protect a piano from their effects? I'm locked into living here for the next year - UGH!

Thanks for any input/advice . . . Linda

You get mold in a piano only if it is humid enough to support a mold colony. If you have mold in a piano you probably also have rust or will have rust soon as well as other problems. The humidity itself is the biggest problem, rather than the mold itself. Maybe your upstairs is dry enough that you would never get mold-- I have no idea. But in any case humidity control is the prevention and the cure. See www.dampp-chaser.com

Regards,

Rick Clark

Thanks, Rick.

I had a dampp-chaser installed on the piano I originally purchased. It was constantly in need of additional water - which seemed strange to me, given the humidity challenge in this house. When, after a couple of months, I needed to swap this piano out for a new one, I did not have the dampp-chaser switched to the new piano. Guess I'm confused as to why a house that has enough moisture to support mold growth would cause a dampp-chaser to continuously put out more moisture.

. . . Linda

Think very strongly about getting a hygrometer (try your local Radio Shack, or do a google search) to assess the need for humidification in the vicinity of your piano. Do not use conditions in your basement as a measure of conditions in your living quarters.

There are mold spores of every kind, everywhere, all the time. They just need the proper environment in which to flourish to become mold colonies. You'd be amazed at the amount of fast-growing mold that will spring up even in the most arid climates when you provide a little dampness. I wouldn't be too concerned about mold in your piano just because you observe it in incredibly moist places (seedling trays, basement, etc.). It is doubtful that most molds would find the insides of your piano an hospitable environment under most household conditions. Now if your piano had been soaked in a flood or something, that might be another story.

Thanks, Palindrome and Matt G.

The hygrometer reading near the piano is hovering at about 45% RH, so I guess I'm OK. I'm glad to learn that the mold in the seedling trays are not likely to end up in my piano - whew! My insurance policies in PA specifically exclude damage resulting from mold, mildew, etc.

Thanks for helping to put my mind at ease!

Not to change the thread, but I find the number of exclusions on insurance policies annoying. Your home isn't covered for flood or mold, your car isn't covered for acts of war. If you fly, you aren't covered for terrorist acts (even if you purchased flight coverage). We are all paying high rates for insurance coverage diluted by all the exclusions. It's not right. Now......back to the thread.

Agreed!

Perhaps we should get together and start our own insurance company specializing in musical instruments. Discounted premiums to all Piano World Forum members, of course.

- Linda