How to Fix Sticky Keys on a Piano
Anyone who has ever owned a piano has likely had to deal with a sticky key on at least one occasion. While this issue can be frustrating, there are some options to consider that may remedy the situation. Consider trying to follow through with some simple steps to see if you can fix the problem and get back to playing like normal once again.
What Are Sticky Piano Keys?
The issues with sticky keys are usually related to moisture—specific humidity in the air. If you have a piano, it’s important to keep it in a cool, dry place to reduce humidity and keep it working smoothly. What ends up happening when a piano is exposed to humidity is that the wood that comprises the instrument swells and contracts. That sometimes causes a sticky key or one that won’t work properly when depressed.
However, it’s not always possible to keep the humidity levels in your home ideal. This is especially true if you live year-round in an area with relatively high humidity. You can get a dehumidifier, but that won’t guarantee that you won’t experience sticky keys from time to time.
There are also times when there may be some debris or an object trapped inside the piano that causes its keys to stick. Some common examples include dust balls, food, small children’s toy parts, or even hair from pets. That’s why it’s good to know a few tricks you can perform yourself before you resort to calling a professional.
When Can You Attempt to Fix Sticky Piano Keys
If you’re reading this, you probably want to know how to fix sticky piano keys. However, before getting into the portion where you can try to fix the sticky keys on your own, let’s just mention that there are times when you can’t fix them yourself. Always go into a situation prepared to call a professional if you can fix it or run into a problem beyond your abilities.
It’s better to be safe than sorry when tinkering with sensitive instruments like pianos. You can damage them while trying to fix them if you aren’t careful.
Removing Foreign Objects and Debris
Perhaps you know a foreign object or debris lodged in the piano, causing the key or keys to stick. Try a few simple steps to remove the item before calling the technician. First, let’s mention that you must be physically able to take apart and maneuver certain piano pieces if you can’t get someone to help you or call the experts.
Luckily, this is probably the easiest way to fix a sticky key. First, you’ll need to remove the wood section covering the key. You may need to examine to determine if there are releases you need to move or push to get the piece of wood to release from its position. This is called a fallboard. Once it’s released, you should be able to remove it quite easily. Next, you need to remove some keys.
Know where to look
It helps if you know where to look, but if not, take note of where each key belongs on the board before you begin. If you must remove several keys, keep them organized in order, so you don’t have an issue trying to put them back in the correct place.
Once you have all the pieces removed and identified the debris, you can use a vacuum attachment to suck up the debris if you can’t reach it. Just be mindful not to use anything that could damage the instrument with sharp edges. Be very careful with the process, so you don’t cause damage to the delicate instrument.
If you have a piano that’s been stored in a dusty area, try gently vacuuming where you can reach to remove the dust, dirt, and hair, which may also provide a fix for sticky keys. If you have a very sticky fix that won’t dislodge, such as gummy candy or even a drink that spilled through the keyboard, you’ll need to get a technician to take the piano apart and provide a solution.
Humidity Issues
You can try a few strategies if your piano key is stuck because it’s swollen from humidity. The first would be to use a dehumidifier in the home or room where the piano is stored. This may remove enough of the moisture from the air to dry out the wood and allow it to function normally. This is recommended if you need to use the instrument regularly or play professionally and need to preserve and protect your piano.
Of course, if you don’t play regularly, you may just wait until the humidity drops during the cooler months and see if it will play smoothly. However, if you can’t wait, you can always try this solution. You want to press down the sticky key and one next to it while pushing a thin screwdriver down next to the key and pushing up in an attempt to dislodge it.
Keep in mind that you risk damaging your piano if you aren’t very careful with this process. If you’re not making any progress and you’ve been at it for a time, then consider calling an expert to come to fix it. Adding pressure or being rough won’t help if it doesn’t release with gentle pressure.
Tips and Advice to Avoid Sticky Keys
You can do some things to help you avoid sticky keys and having to fix the issue or even call an expert. First, you’ll want to make sure you keep your piano’s keyboard covered and locked. This is especially important if you have kids or crafty pets. They tend to cause debris to fall into the keyboard cracks and cause issues.
You should also ensure you keep the temperature in your home steady to reduce humidity. If you live in a humid climate, try to keep the temperature around the lower 7os or mid-70s at the most to help keep the piano in good working condition. This is especially true if you use it daily or have someone in the home learning. While it’s tempting to save money on energy bills by turning off the air conditioner or raising the temperature while you’re away, it could cost you piano repairs.
A dehumidifier might be necessary
You may consider buying a dehumidifier if you have constant trouble with humidity. Some professional models work with your HVAC unit, or you can purchase one specifically designed for pianos. If you store your piano, be sure you choose a climate control storage faculty to prevent damage. This option also prevents pests from making themselves at home, which can damage the piano beyond simply causing sticky keys.
If you purchase a used piano, have an expert look at it if possible. If you notice sticky keys when you buy them, it’s worth considering whether they have been exposed to a humid climate for a long time. This might be a deterrent from making a purchase.
Sometimes, if a piano has several sticky keys, it might have sustained significant damage from water or other situations where it might not be salvageable. This sometimes happens when people seek their antique or well-used pianos from buyers online. It helps to have a second option from someone knowledgeable before you purchase a damaged second-hand piano.
You’ll also need to prepare to have your piano services from time to time. If you have a sticky key and you need to have strings replaced or have it tuned, then opting for a service call may be the right choice.
Closing Mentions
If you want to avoid needing a service call for your piano, you might want to learn how to fix sticky piano keys. Familiarize yourself with how it’s assembled and ensure you’re careful throughout the process. You may need assistance if you must take sections of it apart to get to debris or inspect the inside.
You’ll also want to have a number of a professional piano technicians on hand in case you run into a situation where you’re not comfortable, knowledgeable, or physically capable of handling it yourself. While it’s great to save money by attempting repairs, it might cost more to fix if you make a mistake than it would originally.
Never force a piano part back into place or out of place. If you need to use force to accomplish the fix, then it’s best to call the experts to avoid causing more damage. Always use caution and common-sense.
You can also read:
