Can You Store a Piano in a Garage? Risks and Alternatives

Introduction

The garage seems like an obvious solution: you need to store a piano temporarily, the garage has space, and it’s right there on your property. No need to arrange professional storage, no monthly fees, no hassle of transport twice. Except that for pianos, garages present serious problems that can damage or destroy your instrument within months.

In our 33 years of piano moving across Gloucestershire and throughout the UK, we’ve collected countless pianos from garage storage. Many emerged with serious damage—cracked soundboards, rusted strings, moth-eaten hammers, stuck keys, and finishes ruined by temperature extremes. The repair costs often exceeded what professional storage would have cost, and in many cases, the pianos were beyond economical repair.

This guide explains why garages are dangerous for pianos, what damage they cause, and what alternatives exist. If you’re considering garage storage—perhaps because you see no other option—understanding the risks helps you make an informed decision. And if you have no alternative, we’ll explain how to minimise (though not eliminate) the damage.

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Why Garages Are Problematic for Pianos

Temperature Extremes

Garages experience extreme temperature swings:

UK garage temperatures: – Summer: Can exceed 35°C on hot days – Winter: Can drop below freezing (0°C or lower) – Daily variation: 10-20°C swings between day and night

What this does to pianos: – Wood expands and contracts with temperature changes – Glue joints are stressed repeatedly – Finishes crack and degrade – Components warp and distort

Contrast with ideal piano environment: Pianos need consistent temperatures between 18-22°C, with minimal fluctuation.

Humidity Extremes

The bigger problem is humidity:

UK garage humidity typically: – Winter: Often 70-90% relative humidity – Summer: Variable, but can spike during rain – Overall: Much higher and more variable than indoor rooms

Why this matters: Pianos are predominantly wooden instruments. Wood absorbs and releases moisture constantly: – High humidity: Wood swells, causing stuck keys, swollen soundboards, rust on strings – Low humidity: Wood shrinks, causing cracks, loose joints, tuning instability – Cycling between extremes: Cumulative damage with every cycle

Ideal piano humidity: 40-50% — rarely achieved in UK garages.

Lack of Climate Control

Garages typically lack: – Heating systems (or effective heating) – Insulation adequate for instrument storage – Humidity control – Air circulation suitable for instrument preservation

Even “attached” garages usually have: – Less insulation than living spaces – Direct connection to outdoor temperature – Humidity that follows outdoor conditions

Pest and Contamination Risks

Garages harbour: – Moths (devastating to piano felt and hammers) – Mice (nest in pianos, eat felt, leave droppings) – Spiders and other insects – Dust and dirt accumulation – Potential chemical exposure (fumes, spills)

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The Damage Garages Cause

Soundboard Damage

The soundboard is most vulnerable:

The soundboard (spruce wood) expands and contracts dramatically with humidity changes. UK garage humidity cycles cause: – Cracks developing and growing – Crown (the slight curve) changing – Tone degradation – Eventually, structural failure

Soundboard cracks: Once developed, soundboard cracks cannot be “fixed”—only stabilised. Significant cracks may require expensive soundboard replacement.

String and Metal Corrosion

High garage humidity causes: – Rust on piano strings (dulls tone, weakens strings) – Corrosion on tuning pins (affects tuning stability) – Rust on the cast iron frame (cosmetic and eventually structural) – Corrosion of internal hardware

Rusty strings: Strings with significant rust may need replacement. Even surface rust affects tone quality permanently.

Action Mechanism Problems

The action (key mechanism) suffers from: – Swelling wooden parts (sticky keys, sluggish action) – Felt swelling and deterioration – Metal component rust (centre pins, springs) – Overall sluggishness and unreliability

Stuck keys: One of the most common garage storage symptoms—keys that don’t return properly after being pressed.

Finish Deterioration

Piano finishes respond poorly to garage conditions: – Lacquer cracks and crazes – High-gloss finishes cloud or bloom – Veneer lifts as glue fails – Overall appearance degrades

Pest Damage

Moths are particularly destructive: – Eat hammer felt (ruins hammers) – Consume damper felt – Destroy other wool components – Damage can occur quickly (weeks to months)

Mice cause: – Nesting inside the piano (serious contamination) – Chewing on felt and leather components – Gnawing on wooden parts – Health hazards from droppings

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Can Garage Storage Ever Work?

The Honest Answer

For most UK garages: No.

The risks are simply too high for instruments that can cost thousands to repair or replace. The cost savings of garage storage versus professional storage are almost always exceeded by repair costs—if the piano is repairable at all.

Exceptions (With Caveats)

Garage storage might be acceptable if:

1. The garage is fully insulated and climate-controlled
   1. Heating maintaining 18-20°C minimum
   1. Dehumidifier maintaining 40-50% humidity
   1. These systems running continuously
   1. This is essentially turning your garage into a conditioned room
2. Duration is extremely short (days, not weeks)
   1. Temporary during house move loading
   1. Brief transition period
   1. Still carries risk, but limited exposure
3. The piano has minimal value
   1. Instrument you’re prepared to lose
   1. Already damaged or compromised
   1. No financial or sentimental investment

The Reality Check

Most people considering garage storage: – Have standard UK garages (not climate-controlled) – Are thinking weeks or months, not days – Have pianos worth protecting

For these situations: Don’t use the garage.

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Risk Assessment: Your Specific Garage

Evaluating Your Garage

If you’re still considering garage storage, honestly assess:

Temperature: – Is the garage heated? Continuously? – What temperatures does it reach in summer and winter? – Can you maintain 18-22°C consistently?

Humidity: – Do you have a hygrometer to measure humidity? – What levels occur through the year? – Do you have dehumidification?

Insulation: – Is the garage insulated to residential standard? – Are doors and windows sealed properly? – Is it actually separate from outdoor conditions?

Pest control: – Is the garage sealed against rodents? – Are there signs of moth activity? – How clean and protected is the space?

Scoring Your Garage

Factor	Score 0 (Worst)	Score 5 (Best)
Temperature control	None	Consistent 18-22°C
Humidity control	None	40-50% maintained
Insulation	Minimal	Full residential standard
Pest prevention	Open, uncontrolled	Sealed, treated
Intended duration	6+ months	Days

Score 20-25: Might be acceptable (but why not use professional storage?) Score 10-19: High risk—avoid unless absolutely necessary Score 0-9: Do not use—damage virtually guaranteed

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Minimising Risk If You Have No Alternative

If You Absolutely Must Use a Garage

We don’t recommend this, but if you have no choice:

Climate control (essential): – Install a dehumidifier running continuously – Maintain humidity at 40-50% – Heat the space to prevent extreme cold – Monitor conditions with a hygrometer

Physical protection: – Raise the piano off the floor (pallets or boards) – Cover with breathable materials (not plastic—traps moisture) – Position away from doors and windows – Create a “controlled zone” around the piano

Pest prevention: – Treat the garage for moths before piano arrives – Use moth deterrents around (not inside) the piano – Seal gaps where rodents could enter – Check regularly for signs of infestation

Duration minimisation: – Keep garage storage as short as possible – Arrange proper storage or delivery as soon as possible – Don’t let “temporary” become permanent

Regular monitoring: – Check the piano weekly – Monitor humidity and temperature readings – Watch for early signs of problems – Act immediately if issues develop

What You Cannot Prevent

Even with precautions, garage storage risks: – Some humidity damage (UK conditions make control difficult) – Temperature fluctuation effects – Accelerated ageing of the instrument – Reduced tuning stability – Potential pest exposure

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Better Storage Alternatives

Indoor Room Storage

Better than garage: – Spare bedroom – Dining room – Study or office – Any heated, humidity-controlled living space

Advantages: – Normal residential conditions – Climate control already in place – Regular monitoring as you use the house – No additional cost

Climate-Controlled Self-Storage

Commercial storage units: – Climate-controlled options available – Better than garages (if properly controlled) – Insurance may be included – Monthly rental costs

Caveats: – Verify actual climate control specifications – Some “climate-controlled” units only control temperature, not humidity – Still not piano-specific – Access may be limited

Professional Piano Storage

The safest option: – Purpose-designed for pianos – Correct humidity and temperature – Piano-specific handling – Full insurance

Our piano storage service provides climate-controlled facilities specifically designed for instrument preservation.

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Professional Storage Solutions

What Professional Piano Storage Provides

Environment: – Temperature maintained at 18-22°C – Humidity controlled at 40-50% – Air quality management – Consistent conditions regardless of season

Protection: – Piano-safe positioning – No stacking of items against instruments – Secure from damage – Pest-controlled environment

Handling: – Collection by professional piano movers – Proper equipment and technique – Delivery when you’re ready – No amateur handling risks

A1 Piano Removals Storage Service

We offer complete storage solutions: – Collection from your home – Climate-controlled storage – Flexible duration (months or years) – Return delivery when needed – Full insurance throughout

Coverage across: Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, Bristol, the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, and beyond.

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Cost Comparison: Garage Risk vs. Proper Storage

The True Cost of Garage Damage

Common garage storage repairs:

Damage	Typical Repair Cost
String replacement (rusted strings)	£300-£800
Hammer replacement (moth damage)	£400-£1,200
Soundboard crack repair	£500-£2,000+
Action overhaul (humidity damage)	£600-£1,500
Case refinishing	£800-£2,500
Multiple issues combined	£1,500-£5,000+

When pianos are beyond repair: Replacement cost: £2,000-£50,000+ depending on instrument

Professional Storage Costs

Typical UK piano storage: – Collection: £150-£250 – Monthly storage: £50-£100 – Return delivery: £150-£250 – 3-month total: £400-£600 – 6-month total: £550-£900 – 12-month total: £850-£1,500

The Math

Scenario: 6 months storage needed

Garage storage: – Cost: £0 (plus dehumidifier £50, electricity £30) – Risk: 50%+ chance of significant damage – Expected repair cost: £500-£2,000

Professional storage: – Cost: £550-£900 – Risk: Minimal (full insurance included) – Expected repair cost: £0

The comparison: Even a 50% chance of £1,000 damage makes garage storage a poor financial decision compared to £700 for professional storage.

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Expert Tips from A1 Piano Removals

From Our Experience with Garage-Stored Pianos

1. Don’t believe “it’ll be fine”: We’ve collected pianos from garages where owners were shocked by the damage. UK conditions are harsh for pianos.
2. Humidity is the killer: Temperature extremes matter, but humidity does the most damage. UK garages are humid environments.
3. Moths work fast: Moth damage can occur within weeks to months. By the time you notice, hammers may be ruined.
4. Short-term becomes long-term: Plans for “just a few weeks” often extend. Every week increases risk.
5. Professional storage is cheaper than repair: The cost comparison is clear. Storage costs are predictable; repair costs can be catastrophic.

What We See Most Often

From garages we collect pianos from: – Rusted strings (almost universal) – Sticky keys (very common) – Moth-damaged hammers (frequent) – Soundboard cracks (common in longer storage) – Overall condition decline

The owners’ reactions: Almost always surprise and regret. “I didn’t realise…” is the most common response.

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About the Author

Liam

Piano Moving Specialist

Liam is part of the A1 Piano Removals team, bringing professional expertise to every piano move.