With more than 20,000 pianos sold in the United States last year, according to Statista.com, it’s clear that lots of people like having a piano at home. It also means there’s a lot of folks out there that will need piano tunings in the future. To keep your piano operating at peak ability, here’s what you need to know:

Maintenance

Many experts say you should have a piano tuned at least two times a year. If you’ve recently bought a piano, it might need more piano tuning to sound the way it should. This is also true if your piano goes through heavy use. Tuning keeps the mechanisms and strings working properly, which is important because the inner workings of a piano are very delicate.

Pay Attention to Climate

One overlooked aspect of piano tuning is the weather. Fluctuations in hot and cold weather can damage your piano. If you live in an area with high humidity, you’re likely going to need an extra piano tuning or two during the year. This is because the humidity causes strings to rust and keys and other parts to stick.

After Moving

You’ll also likely need a piano tuning after you move. Temperatures changes can play a part in piano differences, but even with gentle care, the inner works of your piano may need to be realigned after being jostled during a move.

It Doesn’t Sound Right

Even if you haven’t moved and the weather doesn’t change, there are times when your piano may not sound the way it should. If you think something sounds off, make an appointment for a piano tuning right away. Waiting until it’s too late can cause irreversible damage to your piano and may end up costing you a lot of money.

For many people, there’s nothing like having a piano at home. It adds a certain something to a home and is perfect for a musical family. With proper care, a piano can last years. So whether you’ve just recently purchased a piano, recently moved, or you live in an area with different weather patterns during the year, don’t sleep on getting your piano tuned when you need to. With proper tuning, you’ll be able to enjoy your piano for a long time.