How To Care For Your Piano In High Humidity Conditions

Despite their tough appearances, pianos are not immune to damage when subjected to improper conditions. We’re not talking about knocks and bumps, as you would need to hit a piano with quite a significant amount of force to inflict damage on it. Instead, there is an invisible enemy far more common that can affect the sound quality and health of your piano, especially in Singapore.

The answer? Humidity. Moisture in the air can wreak havoc on the wood casing and inner mechanisms of acoustic pianos. The result is a duller sound, uneven action, and proneness to becoming out of tune. If you suspect that your piano is suffering from the humidity, read below for some tips on how to care for your piano in Singapore’s humid weather.

How humidity affects your piano

First, let’s understand why high humidity is not good for your piano. The ideal conditions for a piano are about 20 to 25°C and 40 to 50% RH (relative humidity). The annual average humidity of Singapore is 83.9% – which is way over the ideal!

Most modern pianos have been constructed with reinforced materials to make them more resilient to temperature and humidity changes. However, Singapore’s extreme humidity can be too much to bear, even for such pianos.

When there is too much water vapour in the air, the wood of the piano absorbs excessive moisture, which can lead to swelling and warping. The glue used to attach parts together can also come loose, and the tuning pins can rust and deteriorate in their ability to hold the strings tightly, causing the piano to drop in tuning more easily. Your piano may also develop sticky keys, which is when the key does not rebound fully after pressing it down.

In terms of sound quality, dampness can also get into the felt, hammers, and soundboard, affecting the ability of the piano to resonate. Eventually, you may experience a sound that is duller than what you heard from your piano when it was at the showroom.

How to care for your piano in humid environments 

It’s hard to escape the humid weather in Singapore, but there are some steps you can take to reduce the impact of high humidity on your acoustic piano. Additionally, it is helpful to recognise when your piano needs servicing and schedule regular check-ups for your piano.

When planning the layout of your room, avoid placing the piano too near the window, especially if you plan to leave it open. You want to avoid subjecting your piano to weather elements and sharp temperature changes brought about by sunlight, rain, or wind. Instead, place the piano in a well-sheltered area where the temperature conditions are more consistent.

Additionally, ensure that your piano’s internal heater is always operating. Most pianos come with a rod heater placed in the lower chassis of the piano, which you can access by removing the front cover underneath the keyboard. It should feel warm to the touch when it is working.

Suppose your piano heater is already turned on all the time, but you still find issues with high humidity affecting your piano. In that case, you may need to ramp up the dehumidifying efforts. You might find a room dehumidifier helpful for reducing the humidity around the piano. For this to be useful, it is optimal to have the room enclosed for most of the time.

Conclusion

Whether you rent or own a piano, keeping it in good condition is necessary for enjoying it in the long run. In Singapore, that involves knowledge about caring for your piano in high humidity conditions, which our tropical climate is so widely known for.

You may also get your piano checked out by our technicians at Mun Kai Piano Company if you suspect that it has been affected by the humidity. We provide piano tuning and repair services alongside pianos for rent in Singapore. Alternatively, we welcome you to visit our piano showroom in Ang Mo Kio if you are in the market for a second-hand upright piano or grand piano.