What types of instruments does Pumfrey Pipe Organs Inc. maintain? 

We maintain pipe organs by any builder, and service organs by Casavant, Guilbault-Thérrien, Warren, Legge, Karn, Létourneau, etc.

Do you fix electronic organs? 

No,  we only repair and maintain pipe organs. 

Where are you located?

Alexandria, Ontario.

What is your service region?

We maintain organs from Les Cèdres, QC in the east, to Deep River, ON in the northwest, and Trenton, ON in the southwest. If you are outside of this region, please do not hesitate to contact us. If we are unable to assist you, we have partnerships with other organ technicians to whom we can refer you.  

How is your cost calculated? Do you charge for travel time? 

The cost for servicing and tuning visits is calculated based on the total time spent in servicing/tuning, as well as travel time. Travel time is billed at the normal hourly rate. We do our best to “group” service calls to share the travel time between clients, but this is not always possible, especially in our slower seasons (January-February and May-October).

Is there a surcharge for emergency calls?

Our standard surcharge for emergency and last-minute calls is 1.5 times the normal rate, which may be applied at the discretion of Pumfrey Pipe Organs Inc.

Why do pipe organs go out of tune? 

Pipe organs consist of hundreds or even thousands of pipes. They are often made of different materials which react differently in changes in temperature. Most pipes are made of lead and tin, such as principals, strings, etc., and these react the most to temperature fluctuations but move together when it changes. These metal pipes form the majority and foundation of any given organ. Flutes, such as the Bourdon, Stopped Diapason, Melodia, etc., are typically made of wood, and these react much less to temperature and are somewhat affected in their tuning by changes in humidity. Reed pipes, such as the Oboe, Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, etc., are not affected by temperature but each pipe individually is more volatile in tuning. When the temperature changes in the church in the winter, the overall temperature goes down, resulting in these three groups of pipes being at different pitches. The same is true in the spring. Overall, the job of the organ tuner is to bring these three groups together, with the reeds and stopped flutes typically requiring the most attention. 

Other factors which affect tuning include the age of the organ, overall condition of the organ, if dust from the ceiling is entering the pipes, and more. 

How important is the temperature in the church? 

This is the single most important factor in the stability of the organ's tuning. It is crucial that the heat be turned on well in advance of our arrival, that the organ has warmed up fully. The thermostat should be set at the same temperature for our visit as the Sunday Mass or service. If the organ is tuned when it is colder than on Sundays, the organ will sound out of tune on Sundays. 

How often should pipe organs be serviced? 

Typically, organs are tuned twice a year — once around the beginning of the winter, when the church's heating system is turned on, and then again when the weather begins to warm up in the spring. For some customers this is Christmas and Easter tunings. We can accommodate any scheduling needs, such as before concerts, organ recitals, special Masses and services. 

What is involved in routine servicing?

Routine service includes tuning, as well as minor repairs to mechanical components and console, as well as inspecting and lubricating the blower. 

Do you provide a warranty for your work? 

For projects (such as releathering, console rebuilds, etc.) we provide a 1- to 5-year warranty, although it depends on the nature of the project.