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JacobEsau · Member Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 3

Hello All,

I recently bought a 1950s Kemble upright. When the piano tuner came to tune it, he said that the Hydroceel tube inside contained asbestos and because it was completely dried out, it could be dangerous to health (because of the dust).

I've done some research on the internet and can't find any reference to the unit containing asbestos, but it's a worry.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Many thanks.

Gill the Piano · Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 3:03 pm Post subject:

Should be all right as long as you don't eat it... Laughing

Seriously though, the Health and Safety get hysterical about the least little thing. I've been mucking about with hydroceel units for YEARS and I'm still alive. I think...but then I also eat food that's TWO DAYS past its sell by! I'd be inclined to ignore the scaremongers. You can still buy them, and I hardly think they'd still be available if they had asbestos in.

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 5:08 pm Post subject: Re: Asbestos in Hydroceel unit?

JacobEsau · Member Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 3

Hi there.

Well, I feel more reassured now! I wasn't totally convinced about the asbestos, but I know it was used for all kinds of things in the 1950s and '60s before the dangers were known.

Maybe the piano tuner man was getting confused with damp-chasers, I'm not sure. By the way, he also said the piano was in such good condition, it would outlive me - and that was before he mentioned asbestos!

Warmest,

M.

JohnEB · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 6:16 pm Post subject:

I don't know anything about Hydroceel units but I do know about asbestos and I would be amazed if it was used in anything which was meant to absorb water, as generally it's not very absorbent.

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 6:39 pm Post subject:

Did the tuner take the Hydroceel unit away Twisted Evil

Barrie,
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Barrie Heaton
Web Master UK Piano Page

JacobEsau · Member Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 3

Hi there,

I don't know much about asbestos, so I didn't realise it wasn't absorbent, yet I can't seem to find out what material IS used in those hydroceel tubes!

Also, the piano tuner didn't take the hydroceel away with him, but he did advise me to remove it. At the moment it's in my garden shed. I was waiting to find out for sure whether there is any asbestos in there before I contact the local council to have it properly disposed of. But I don't want to call someone out to remove it if there's no asbestos in it. If that's the case, I'll just put it in the wheelie bin!

Martin.

fumbler · Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 9:49 am Post subject:

Hi,

There's nothing on Google about asbestos and Hydroceel, so you're probably safe. However I did come across hydrocele, under male genital pathology. Yeeeeuk! The manufacturers (of Hydroceel, that is) should have chosen a less easily confused name.

Rgds.

PS More info at http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/Digests/200101/2001.01.24.04.html

Geminoz · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 11:52 am Post subject:

Well....it is really amazing the things one can learn on this site. Wink

Who else just had to go take a look??

Gill the Piano · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 4:53 pm Post subject:

Well I didn't....but I shall now! Laughing

Gill the Piano · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 4:55 pm Post subject:

I wish I'd looked AFTER the crispy duck fest at the Chinese restaurant...I may cancel.
Naaaaah... Wink

Geminoz · Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 4:39 am Post subject:

Bit late replying cause I been away on R and R...but I hope you enjoyed your crispy duck. Wink

Gill the Piano · Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 5:09 pm Post subject:

I ALWAYS enjoy crispy duck... Very Happy

...ta!

hesaan · Member Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

hesaan · Member Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

Hi there,

I searched for the word 'Hydroceel' when I found a tube of it in my Grandfather's garaqe, and came across your post.
I then sent a sample of the Hydroceel powder off to be analysed by a UKAS accredited laboratory.
I'm afraid that it does contain asbestos. The asbestos type is ANTHOPHYLITE.
Anthophylite is a coarse white asbestos variety which was produced in Finland until the 1960's. It is not in widespread use and can only be found very occasionally in commercial products or lagging.

It seems that your piano tuner was right, and it also illustrates that Google is NOT all powerful.

All the best,
Hesaan

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: Asbestos in Hydroceel unit?

longbow · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:31 am Post subject: Asbestos and Hydroceel units

Just a thought. Prompted by Barrie's last post. Was it a real Hydroceel unit found in the garage or one of the copies that used to be sold as genuine Hydroceel units ?

Martin Heckscher · Member Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 2 Location: London

Hi,

Some users of this site may know that we are the UK distributors of Hydroceel units. We have noted the correspondence regarding the possible presence of asbestos in Hydroceels, and, as far as we are able, we are keen to give an authoritative and accurate response to the questions raised.

We contacted the manufacturers, J. P. Brouwer & Zn in Amsterdam, and asked for their comments, which were as follows:

"Dear Mr Heckscher,
We had a mail from the factory that there is no asbestos of any kind in the filling of the Hydroceel. The first Hydroceels made about 30 years ago perhaps had an other filling. The
man who bought the rights from the inventeror had told us once that the filling had been changed a long time ago but he died about 10 years ago and we bought all the rights from his daughter.
The Hydroceel the man found in his grandfather's garage probably was a very old one. You can put a mail on the pianosite that the Hydroceel is completely harmless.
With kind regards,
Marijke Brouwer"
_________________
Martin Heckscher,
Heckscher & Co. Ltd.,
75 Bayham Street,
London,
NW1 0AA.

Phone: 020 7387 1735
Fax: 020 7387 3043
Email: martin@heckscher.co.uk

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 5:04 pm Post subject:

Stride · Member Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Lincolnshire

Would someone please tell me where these Hydroseel things are in the piano and what on earth they do.

We live in an age where we are frightening our children so much they scream at the slightest sign of movement. They are taken to hospital when they receive a bruise or cut their finger, however slight. Now it's the adults turn to get frightened.

The paranoid overpaid officials in our state and eurozone controllers are making normal life a misery and we pay them to do it!

Forget the asbestos threat it's only a problem when you inhale it as fine dust, like tobacco ash is!

Happy piano playing to all.
_________________
ALBOY

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 4:40 pm Post subject: Re: reply

founddevers · New Member Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

we have just bought an old baby grand and found the hydroceel unit underneath. after reading through all the discussions, I am a little confused as to what I should do with it. Should I leave it there? Does it need servicing? would be grateful for any advice.

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:04 pm Post subject: Re: hydroceel unit

markymark · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:11 pm Post subject:

Just as a matter of interest, are Hydroceel units standard installations on brand new instruments or are they optional extras?

mdw · Persistent Poster Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 191

Add ons.
You shouldnt really need one on a new piano unless you have ignored the makers sugestions for positioning the instrument

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:10 pm Post subject:

The only time I would fit an Hydroceel unit on a new piano is on a grand under the wrest plank with a piano life saver for the soundboard.

On uprights piano life saver every time new homes tend to be to worm and dry I was in one last week 81F 22% humidity a new U3 and I had to tighten the hammer screws she is killing that piano.

Barrie,
_________________
Barrie Heaton
Web Master UK Piano Page

mdw · Persistent Poster Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 191

She had better check her guarantee cos all the ones ive seen would exclude that sort of damage. Its amazing how low some modern houses can go. Roll on the asthma and breathing problems. Sad

Bring back draughty sash windows and leaky doors I say!!! Mind you in a few year we wont be able to afford to put the heating on if prices keep going up.