Piano maintenance

A piano is a delicate instrument and a piece of furniture that should be well looked after.

Tips and recommendations to preserve the piano in a good state:

• It is important to keep it always clean avoiding accumulation of dust which can cause deterioration. Either for grands or uprights the lid of the instrument should be closed when it is not being used, to prevent accumulation dust.
• Avoid standing drinks or plants on the top of the instrument. Liquids can damage the case and the action.
• Do not place containers of water inside the case of the piano. This is a very common practice to avoid dryness but often the water vapour will oxidize the steel of the strings that are closer to the container. Rustiness will affect the sound of the strings due to the lack of flexibility and will also increase the risk of breaking when the piano is tuned.
• Avoid the exposure from direct sun light. The sun light can damage the case, fading the polish and sometimes spoiling the veneer.
• The moths are always a threat, because they can eat all the felts and completely destroy the piano. Chemical products against the moths are "Malathion", or "Bendiocarb" (insecticides) and the most common method to avoid a new infestation is spreading naphthalene inside the piano.
• Pianos are made with thousands of parts which are subject to constant movement and friction. The correct functioning of each part is directly related to the temperature and the relative humidity of the environment. The optimum temperature for a piano is from 18 to 21 degrees Celsius. The optimum Relative humidity ranges from 45% to 65%.
• High temperatures can dry the wooden components affecting the stability, the touch and therefore the sound of the instrument.
  The high temperature will affect the density of the felts in general and will expand the metal parts of other components.
  For example, the dryness can draw the moisture from the hammer felts creating a very tinny sound, and an endless list of unwanted effects over the instrument in general.
• If the piano is exposed to a high temperature and low humidity for a short period of time, those the consequences can be cured by controlling the conditions of the environment correctly. Of course, the action will need to be regulated and toned once the piano is settled. But when the piano is exposed to these conditions for a long period of time, it may need to go through a major restoration process in order to bring it back to its original state.
• This work may include replacing the pin block, the strings, the hammers, repairing the soundboard, etc.
• During the winter, the central heatting in the house can reduce in excess the humidity of the air. In this case a control humidity system can be purchased to improve the conditions. Other way of increasing the humidity in the room is by placing plants near the piano.
• The instrument should be tuned two or three times a year. But if is not tuned for more than fifteen months, it will be necessary to pitch rise. This is normally more expensive than a basic tuning.
• The piano is constantly subject to tear and ware and it will need a general service periodically (regulation and adjustments of the action and pedals).
  A piano that is used for many hours a day will need a more frequent service. For example, a piano that is used at home every day for two hours will need to be regulated and adjusted between two to three years.