Room Conditions that Can Harm a Piano
There are some areas of a home where a piano should never be kept. Be cautious of buying a piano that’s been kept in the following environments:
- Dark, warm, and moist rooms allow for mold and bacteria growth inside a piano, which can cause health problems and weaken internal wood.
- A piano room with fluctuating humidity levels wreaks havoc on a piano’s finish; warps the expensive wooden soundboard, and weakens strings. Climate-control devices must be running 24/7.
- Carpeted rooms with dry air are bad for electric pianos, so keep humidity levels at 55% to prevent static electricity from damaging your musical keyboard.
- Open windows or doors near the piano can let condensation (a particular concern for electric pianos) build up and seep under keys.
- Fans, air conditioners, heaters, and even computers should be at least 4 feet away from a piano … and the further the better. Fireplaces need to be at least 10 feet from a piano, and unused fireplaces should be well-insulated.
- Small doors, narrow staircases, and tight corners around a piano room up your bill with the piano movers. They also increase risk of damage while moving, so factor in the cost of a professional piano mover.
