Care and Maintainance of Your Piano

In order for your warranty to remain valid, it is essential to maintain your piano properly. In addition to regular tuning (say once every 6 or 9 months), here are some important guidelines to help you.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

It is of paramount importance that you keep your piano in an environment which is neither too hot nor too cold – preferably at

an even, fairly constant temperature. Somewhere between 60-70 degrees Farenheight, which is 16-22 degrees Celsius (Centigrade) is fine.

We strongly recommend that you:

1) Avoid placing the piano next to a window where direct sunlight comes through (even when there is a curtain up).

The heat generated from sunlight through glass can reach well over 100 degrees Farenheight (38 degrees Celsius) and this kind of heat can cause cracks in the soundboard, pinblock and bridges, cause glue to fail, cause action parts to become loose and to rattle, cause flanges/centres to become loose, cause damage to the case.

2) Avoid placing the piano next to a radiator, open fireplace, stove, or electric heater.

This is for the exact same reasons as above. Wood-burning stoves can be very efficient, and can also generate considerable heat; therefore we strongly recommend you not to put your piano in the same room as a wood-burning stove.

3) Avoid placing the piano in a shed, summerhouse, nissan hut or terrapin hut where temperatures and humidity levels will alternate wildly.

This is even worse than the first two scenarios, if that were possible, since not only will the piano suffer from excessive heat but also excessive cold and damp.

4) Avoid placing the piano in a garage, or in storage where there is no heating during October-May in UK.

A cold, damp environment causes notes to stick, strings, screws and tuning pins to corrode, can produce mildew on wood and felt, and can even encourage moth and woodworm.

Winter central heating isn’t bad – it just needs to be moderate and constant! (Up in the 80s is far too hot for the piano).

5) Avoid dropping the piano or allowing the piano to fall over.

Pianos only fall over when they are being moved. We recommend employing a professional removal company to move your piano for you – pianos are extremely heavy and were a piano to fall on you or one of your household serious or even fatal injury may result. This is especially relevant to moving a piano up or down steps or stairs – don’t try moving it yourself just to save money – it’s a false economy.

Moreover, if a piano falls over, the frame (which is made of cast iron) could be cracked, thus rendering the instrument useless (un-tuneable). Keeping pianos upstairs is not recommended except where there is absolutely no possible alternative whatsoever.

6) Avoid spilling liquid onto or in the piano – therefore do NOT place vases of flowers, NOR cups or glasses of hot or cold drinks.

So What Should You Do?

WE RECOMMEND:

a) Having the piano regularly tuned (usually every 6 or 9 months);

b) Keeping the piano away from sunlight, and not where there is a radiator, stove, etc. – but in a warm, comfortable room. Keep a thermometer on or near the piano and check the temperatures regularly;

c) If you absiolutely have to move the piano, employ a professional piano remover to do so for you – even if it is just between rooms.

d) Keep vases of flowers and cups of tea well away from the piano at all times.

NB. ON NO ACCOUNT SHOULD YOU EVER MOVE A PIANO UPSTAIRS OR DOWNSTAIRS YOURSELVES – IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND WERE THE PIANO TO FALL ON YOU IT WOULD PROBABLY KILL YOU.