Learning how to play the piano is not an easy nor inexpensive task. The average piano costs anywhere from a minimum of $3,000 to more than $100,000, and even the smallest pianos can easily weigh in at approximately 300 to 400 pounds. As the lacquer or polyester finish of the pianos tends to be rather fragile and delicate, it's important to be extremely cautious when moving pianos from one location to another to prevent scratches and other types of damages. On top of acquiring the assistance of professional piano movers, here are 3 additional ways that you can implement to protect the outer lacquer or polyester finish of your piano.

Avoid Moving the Pianos to Cold-Climate Destinations or in Cold Climates

If possible, schedule moving times during the warmer months to avoid cold weather conditions. If you are moving to cold-climate destinations, check to see which months are going to be the warmest before moving. You want to minimize the amount of exposure that the pianos will have to cold temperatures because the pianos may freeze if they are stored at the back of a moving truck that does not have climate control features.

In general, lacquer finishes tend to be tougher and can tolerate the colder weather conditions better; however, pianos with a polyester finish are extremely vulnerable to cold weather conditions. When exposed to low temperatures for prolonged periods of time, the polyester finish will easily crack and chip. Keep in mind that cold temperatures will also do a number on other parts of the piano. For example, cold temperatures will stress the soundboard and affect the overall performance and capability of the instrument.

Place a Container of Silica Gel Packets Inside the Piano

As the pianos are moved from one location to another, you can bet that the temperatures of the surrounding environment will fluctuate quite a bit. This can cause moisture and humidity to build up on the external surface of the piano and even in the inner mechanisms. Condensation that has accumulated on the surface of the lacquer or polyester finish may end up staining the piano or damaging the finish. To prevent this from happening, place a container of silica gel packets inside the piano. The silica gel packets will absorb as much excess moisture in the environment as possible.

Wrap the Outer Surfaces with a Clean and High Quality Mover's Blanket

The most obvious damages are scratches and dents caused by the move. As pianos are relatively heavy and large, they can easily get bumped onto the edges of corners. Wrap a high quality mover's blanket around the outside of the piano, making sure that everything is protected and covered. Make sure to clean the outside of the piano and the mover's blanket before you use it, though. Any dust or dirt particles that are left on the outside of the piano will easily act as an abrasive. This will result in minor scratches everywhere, which will not only negatively impact the appearance of your piano, but will also decrease its overall value as well.

Conclusion

Most piano players will agree that their pianos are one of their most valuable assets. They are not only expensive, but also hold quite a large sentimental value in the hearts of the musicians. When moving from one place to another, it's important to spend the extra time and effort in securing the outside of the pianos to prevent them from becoming damaged during the move. Some damages can be quite costly to repair, and at times, the damages may be irreparable if they are too severe. Get professional piano movers to do a quick inspection of the pianos before the move to ensure that you haven't missed anything. Contact a company like Christos & Christos Moving and Storage for more information.