Humidity - normal fluctuation — Pianoconcerto Forum

Member

Posts: 860
City: Segrate

August 27, 2018, 11:22

Good morning everyone

A question (perhaps a trivial one)

If it is true that the optimal Relative Humidity for a piano is 55% (as for humans, for that matter!)

What is the normal humidity fluctuation in a domestic environment that MUST NOT cause concern for possible serious damage to the instrument?

For example, in my living room, depending on the days and times of day, it goes from a minimum of 40% to a maximum of 60%.

I have never read lower or higher values on the hygrometer.

But - in other words - what are the values, downwards and upwards, beyond which I should be alarmed?

Thank you!

Musick

Member

Posts: 164
City: -

August 27, 2018, 11:31

I would say well over 60 and under 40... I've been saying for a long time that I should get a humidity meter but I never decide, it fluctuates a lot here. Anyway, I think I heard somewhere that dryness is more dangerous than humidity for the health of the wood. It can split the fibers.

pianoexpert

Moderator

Posts: 3,876
City: rocca di papa

August 28, 2018, 16:31

Let's say that relative humidity also contends with temperature regarding excesses, both for humans and for instruments.

LucaCavaliere

Member

Posts: 860
City: Segrate

September 10, 2018, 21:42

For those who may be interested, I am sharing this response received from an authoritative source external to the forum:

It is not necessary to adopt particular precautions/remedies for excursions contained between 50 and 70%