The Dos And Don'ts Of Putting A Piano In Storage
If you're moving into a new home and won't immediately have space for your piano, you may be considering putting it into a storage unit at a facility like Stevens Creek Storage. Pianos are very sensitive instruments. Temperature and humidity changes, falling objects, and pesky insects can all leave a piano unplayable within a few months. So, you need to be very careful when storing your piano. Adhere to these dos and don'ts for success.
Do: Choose climate-controlled storage.
Even if you're only storing the piano for a few weeks, you need to spring for climate-controlled storage. One unseasonably cold or humid day could cause the piano's soundboard to shrink or swell, and then the piano may never sound the same again. In a climate-controlled unit, the temperature and humidity will be kept similar to that of a home, so your piano won't be prone to this damage.
Don't: Store it directly on the floor.
Even in an indoor, climate-controlled unit, there's a chance that a liquid will spill in a neighboring unit. The liquid can seep under the wall and wet the legs of your piano, causing the finish to slough off or the wood to rot. Place a pallet on the ground, cover it with a tarp, and then put your piano on top of that. This way, the piano is not only lifted off the floor, but there's also a moisture barrier (the tarp) between the piano and the floor.
Do: Put a cover on the piano.
If you don't already have a protective piano cover, this is the time to invest in one. It will keep dust off your piano while also breathing enough to ensure the piano doesn't develop mold or rot. There are many generic covers that adjust in size to fit an array of pianos. Don't substitute plastic wrap or a tarp for the cover, as it may not breathe properly. If you're really in a pinch, you can cover the piano with a few breathable sheets and blankets.
Don't: Put a dirty piano in storage.
Dirt has a habit of getting more ground-in and attracting insects while a piano is in storage. So before you cover and move the piano, make sure you polish the wood and clean between the keys. It's not a bad idea to hire a piano cleaning service to do this for you so you know a thorough job has been done. If you cover the piano properly, it should still be nice and clean when you later pull it out of storage.