Double-Flood leaves my piano shop underwater (photos)

[mark goodwin pianos]

Hello, I hope I posted this in the right forum! When you read the story you'll see why I struggled knowing where to put this.

This past 14 days has been a testing time. United Utilities burst their main water pipe right outside my door not once, but twice in the space of 1 week.

The photos speak for themselves really so please see the below page for photos and full story / press release

Flooded Pianos Press Release:
https://www.markgoodwinpianos.co.uk/piano/press

Hopefully there won't be a third flood any time soon!!
Regards,
Mark

[arensky]

Gosh, that's just horrible! But I'll say it's big of the utility company to admit they're at fault and foot the bill for the damage. Bad as this is, you lucked out here!

Ah suggest you get some insurance ASAP.... 

You are obviously a determined person, I'm sure you will be back where you were before this setback. Perseverance will see you through in times like this when many people would throw in the towel.

[elspeth]

I'm also glad for you the water company are doing the right thing by you! I trust they're paying out for the damage to the building and its fittings as well as the pianos. If I was feeling cynical I'd say you'd probably have a good compensation claim besides damages from this,as it sounds like a fairly easy negligence claim... one flood is an accident but two isn't!

Do get yourself insured... but flood insurance can be pricey, given global warming and so on. If your building's on a flood plain anyway, you may not find it cheap to insure against, especially given the sort of coverage you'll need.

[pianowolfi]

My gosh these pictures almost make me cry. Sorry for you.

[pianistimo]

how are the pianos that were sunken under 2 feet of water fairing?  are they ok now, sorta?  what actually happens?  seems that most pianos have a lot of lamination on the outside of the wood.  does this help to minimize the water damage?  i suppose the action is what suffers?  now, what do you do with these pianos?  take the actions out and replace them - if the outside of the piano is ok?  are these pianos on sale now?  can people over in the uk now buy a bechstein for 10cents on the dollar (or is it shillings on the pound) if they replace the action themselves?  if i hadn't already purchased a new stool - i'd go for one of those floating ones.  you just don't know if they'll float until they're in water.

glad you are getting compensated for damages through being added to their insurance claim.  happy new piano buying.  maybe a new location?  with all the insurance money - maybe less pianos - new location?  on the top of a hill somewhere?

[penguinlover]

Wow, I got tears in my eyes just looking at those pics!  How horrible for you!  I am glad that the church is helping, and that you'll get some compensation.  But those poor pianos, I guess the sounds boards are all warped aren't they?

[ada]

Of course it's heartbreaking to see all those beautiful pianos water logged, and my sympathies go out to you.

But I'm curious as to why you put out a press release about it.

It's quite a good little story (from a reporter's point of view), but normally that sort of info would come from police or emergency sources.

Why did you write your own press release?

[pianowelsh]

Aw Mate - really sorry to hear about the news It must be a massive headache for you at the moment dealing with all the paper work and really emotional, coming out of the blue like that. Will spare a thought for you.  Let forum members know if there is anything we can do that could help. keep us posted.  Hope you get back on your feet soon....  Way to go Bethesda!

[pianolist]

Why did you write your own press release?

I can understand his reaction, though. If it's your life and your business, it never hurts to make the most out of a situation, however black.

Mark, I don't know whether you are reading this thread, but if you have any damaged player pianos, and need help or advice, let me know.

[jpianoflorida]

wow! that is sad..  and to some posters questions, it helps to get thru something like this by talking about it and dealing with it.... I had a breakin one time, many things stolen from my studio, I was so mad, hurt, etc..talking about it helped me get over it!   Since my studio is at my home, it made it worse.    Such an invasion of your personal territory.          Did you have insurance?

[thalbergmad]

I had a breakin one time, many things stolen from my studio, I was so mad, hurt, etc

When i had a break in, the person concerned stole my portable CD player, but not before removing the Thalberg CD that was inside.

Not only a crime, but remarkably stupid as well.

Thal

[pianistimo]

so you got fingerprints?  i hope you find him/her.  even if they live in the neighborhood.  suppose we should write down the serial #'s somewhere's.  i used to take pictures of stuff - inventory - and then keep it in a folder in case of flood or earthquake damage.  it is supposed to help when you try to collect anything over the $500. limit that is usual on most homeowner's policies. 

[jpianoflorida]

with my situation, they police came out at 2am and did fingerprints, etc... nothing was ever found...it was about $1600 worth of stuff, insurance paid about half.