Church Pianos: Why They Need Extra Care in Summer

Church Pianos: Why They Need Extra Care in Summer

If you've ever stepped into a Texas church in the middle of summer, you know just how intense the heat and humidity can get. While congregations gather in air-conditioned sanctuaries, church pianos often endure wild swings in temperature and moisture—especially if the instrument is in a less climate-controlled part of the building. These changes can wreak havoc on your piano’s tuning stability, tone, and even its structural health.

Here’s why summer is hard on church pianos—and what you can do to protect them.

1. Drastic Humidity Swings Can Throw Tuning Out of Whack Church HVAC systems are often set to energy-saving schedules, which means a piano may go from cool and dry on Sunday morning to hot and humid all week long. Wood expands and contracts with humidity, especially the soundboard and pinblock. The result? A piano that’s out of tune before the next Sunday service rolls around.

Tip: Install a humidity control system (like a Dampp-Chaser) and aim to keep the piano in a room with consistent climate control, even during the week.

2. Less Frequent Use Can Lead to Bigger Problems If your church piano isn’t used every day, minor issues (like sticky keys or soft pedal problems) can go unnoticed until they affect the service. Over time, dust buildup, swelling felt parts, and loose action components can turn small problems into full-blown malfunctions.

Tip: Schedule a mid-year inspection, even if you’re not planning a full tuning. A professional technician can catch and fix minor issues before they escalate.

3. Summer Camps, Weddings, and Special Events Add Wear and Tear Churches are often busiest in the summer with outside groups, weddings, and special services. That means more use—and sometimes less careful handling—of the piano.

Tip: Consider scheduling a tuning after any major event, especially if the piano has been moved or played heavily.

4. The Investment Deserves Protection Church pianos are often high-quality instruments purchased through generous donations or long-term fundraising. Protecting that investment is good stewardship.

Tip: Budget for three tunings a year—one in the spring for Easter, one at the end of year before Christmas and one in the summer—and include periodic regulation and voicing checks.

Final Thoughts Your church’s piano isn’t just an instrument—it’s part of your worship team. With a little extra attention in the summer months, it can stay sounding its best and last for generations. If you’d like help assessing your piano’s needs, contact Moonlight Piano Tuning today—we’re happy to serve churches across Hunt, Kaufman, Dallas, Rockwall and surrounding counties

Need help with your church piano? We offer priority service for places of worship and can provide documentation for budgeting and maintenance planning. Let’s make sure your piano plays beautifully—every Sunday.