How Climate and Humidity Affect Your Piano During a Move

Your piano is a sensitive instrument that can be impacted by changes in temperature and humidity during a move. At Modern Piano Moving, we take special care to protect your piano by using climate controlled trucks and monitoring conditions throughout the transit process. Here's an in-depth look at how climate and humidity affect pianos and what we do to safeguard your instrument.

How Temperature Impacts Pianos

Pianos are made of wood, felt, glue, and other materials that expand and contract with changes in temperature. Extreme heat causes wood and felt to dry out, which can then crack and split. The wooden soundboard, pins, strings, bridges and veneers are most vulnerable to damage from temperature swings. Glue joints and actions can also be affected.

During the cold winter months, the dry heat indoors paired with freezing temperatures outdoors creates prime conditions for piano damage. The instrument goes from a warm, dry environment to a freezing cold truck. Then when delivered to your home, the extreme temperature shift from cold to hot can wreak havoc. The wooden and felt parts shrink and expand rapidly, putting extreme tension on the materials. Without proper climate control and conditioning procedures, cracks and irreparable damage can occur.

How Humidity Impacts Pianos

Humidity levels have an even greater impact on pianos than temperature changes. The wooden soundboard and interior structure are hygroscopic, meaning they absorb and release moisture from the surrounding air. As humidity increases in the summer months, the wood collects moisture causing it to swell and expand. In the dry winter months when humidity plummets, the wooden parts shrink as moisture evaporates into the dry air. This constant expansion and contraction puts strain on the structural integrity of the instrument.

The bridges begin to unglue from the soundboard, the pins and strings loosen, and cracks appear in the rim and braces. Changes in humidity warp the pinblock causing tuning instability issues as well. Other damage from low humidity includes loose ivory on the keys, cracked soundboards, and splitting of the instrument’s veneers. High humidity can corrode metal parts and be a breeding ground for mold inside a piano.

Climate-Controlled Trucks Protect Pianos In Transit

At Modern Piano Moving, we utilize climate-controlled tractor-trailers set to the ideal temperature and humidity range for instruments. Climate control allows us to regulate conditions throughout transport to prevent expansion and contraction damage to your piano. Our specialized trucking equipment includes:

• Dual heating and cooling zones to maintain consistent temps
• Humidity monitoring systems and dehumidification devices
• Air circulation systems to prevent mold and mildew growth
• Suspension systems to minimize vibrations on fragile parts
• Padded blankets and specialized straps to prevent shifting

We also park our climate-controlled vehicles in protected areas away from inclement weather when not in use. Our team performs routine maintenance to ensure the heating, cooling, and humidity control systems are working properly in all trucks.

Careful Loading & Unloading Procedures

How your piano is physically handled during loading and unloading is also critical for preventing climate related damage. We use extreme care when moving your instrument in and out of our climate controlled vehicles. Our expert piano movers follow strict protocols to protect the structural integrity including:

• Custom ramps and dollies to eliminate jarring movements or jostling
• Added blankets and padding during winter/summer transports
• Frequent condition checks while securing the piano in the truck
• Slow, controlled loading/unloading movements to prevent cracking
• Adjusting climate controls if external temps change drastically

Our loading crew communicates directly with the truck driver to ensure ideal conditions are maintained inside the vehicle. We also recheck humidity readings after loading to make any necessary adjustments. Careful coordination prevents moisture issues like condensation which can damage surfaces.

On-Site Conditioning Before & After Transport

In addition to climate-controlled transport, we also perform on-site conditioning services before and after piano moves. Prior to loading, we use portable humidifiers/dehumidifiers to achieve the optimal humidity level in your home. This helps pre-condition the piano to prevent moisture-related damage when transitioning from your climate-controlled home into the truck.

After unloading at your new home, we use industrial-grade humidifiers and moisture meters to re-condition the piano. This allows the instrument to slowly adjust to the new environment without damage. On-site conditioning prevents cracks from rapid humidity changes and ensures your piano is perfectly safe before we leave. It also gives you time to get your new home’s humidity balanced for your piano’s needs.

The Ideal Climate Conditions for Pianos

Most piano manufacturers recommend keeping instruments in conditions with 45% to 70% relative humidity at room temperatures between 64°F and 75°F year-round. The most favorable humidity range is between 45 and 55% to prevent expansion and contraction issues over time. Extreme lows below 30% or highs above 70% can cause immediate and irreversible damage.

We keep our climate-controlled trucks set right in this sweet spot during transport. Our on-site conditioning services also target these ideal ranges. Pay close attention to humidity levels in your home all year to keep your piano in top shape. Dehumidifiers and humidifiers are a must for regulating moisture. Avoid placing pianos near heating/cooling vents or direct sunlight which can cause hot/cold spots and daily fluctuations.

Protecting Your Piano Year-Round

Sudden temperature and humidity changes damage pianos. The most vulnerable times are during seasonal changes when extreme indoor-outdoor shifts occur. Here are some year-round tips for protecting your piano:

Spring & Fall

• Gradually adjust indoor temperatures - no drastic heating/cooling changes
• Use a dehumidifier and humidifier to achieve 45-55% humidity
• Keep piano away from heating/AC vents blowing hot/cold air

Summer

• Maintain cool indoor temps between 68°F-72°F
• Use a dehumidifier daily to keep humidity below 70%
• Close windows/blinds during hot & humid days
• Avoid exposing the piano to direct sunlight

Winter

• Maintain consistent warmer indoor temps 70°F-72°F
• Use a humidifier daily to keep levels above 30%
• Close doors/windows to trap moisture
• Place water trays near heat vents to add humidity

Proper climate control is crucial for preserving your piano investment. The instrument requires balanced conditions to maintain structural integrity and prevent costly damages. Modern Piano Moving has over 20 years experience transporting delicate pianos in climate controlled conditions. Trust our expert team to keep your instrument safe during relocation.