Hurricane-Season Instrument Checklist: Pianos, Guitars & Violins (Florida Homes)

Hurricane watch? Here’s a clear, Florida-specific checklist to protect your piano, guitars, and violins—with quick actions for before, during, and after the storm. Keep instruments dry, stable, and documented so you can recover fast if anything happens.

We teach in-home lessons across Winter Garden, Windermere, Lake Buena Vista, Ocoee, Clermont, and Apopka. Our teachers are background-checked and happy to help you set up a safe, music-ready space.

Quick answer (do these now)

• Placement: Move instruments away from windows and exterior walls; choose an interior room on a higher floor if possible.
• Power & water: For keyboards/amps, use surge protectors; get instruments off the floor (2–4″) in case of water intrusion.
• Humidity: Aim 40–50% RH. Use a room dehumidifier, A/C, or case humidifier/dehumidifier as needed.
• Docs: Photograph each instrument (front/back/serial number), note brand/model/serial, and email the album to yourself.
• Cases: Case and latch violins and guitars; keep desiccant/ humidifier packs inside.

1) House Prep (30 minutes)

Choose the safest room

• Interior room with no exterior windows, not under a roof line that’s prone to leaks.
• Off the slab/ground level if possible.
• Keep instruments away from A/C vents and direct sun.

Elevate & cover

• Place instruments on stands or risers (yoga blocks, boards on bricks).
• Soft cover (cotton sheet or moving blanket) to protect from dust/drips—never plastic directly on wood (it traps moisture).

Power & electronics

• Keyboards, interfaces, and amps → quality surge protector (or UPS).
• Unplug during the storm; coil cables in a labeled zip bag.

Humidity check

• Put a hygrometer in the room.
• Target 40–50% RH. If RH spikes above 60–65% for long periods, run A/C or a dehumidifier.

2) Pianos (Upright & Grand)

Placement

• Upright: Interior wall, 2–6″ away from the wall for airflow.
• Grand: Rotate the curve toward the room; keep the keyboard side away from any window/door seams.

Protection

• Close the lid, fallboard, and key cover.
• Use a piano cover if you have one; add caster cups to lift off the floor.
• Avoid plastic directly on the case (traps moisture). If you must, layer cotton first.

Humidity control

• Keep the room at 40–50% RH. If your piano has a soundboard system (humidifier/dehumidifier), confirm it’s working.
• After long outages, stabilize RH for a week before scheduling tuning.

After the storm

• Run fingers over keys/top—any swelling or sticking?
• Look under the piano for drips or buckling.
• Plan a tuning/regulation once the house holds steady at normal RH.

3) Guitars (Acoustic, Classical & Electric)

Pre-storm

• Case, latch, and elevate (off floor).
• Add humidity control inside the case:
  • High RH forecast? Use desiccant packs (silica/charcoal).
  • Low RH (rare in FL with A/C outages)? Use case humidifier (follow product directions).
• Loosen strings? Not necessary for a short-duration event. Keep standard tension unless a luthier has advised otherwise.

Electrics & amps

• Case the guitar; unplug and case pedals.
• Keep amps off the floor and unplugged. Cover with a breathable cloth (not plastic) to avoid condensation.

After the storm

• Check for top/back bulges, fret sprout (sharp fret ends), or high action.
• Clean strings and fretboard with a dry cloth.
• If the neck shifted, book a pro setup once RH stabilizes.

4) Violins & Violas (and other orchestral strings)

Pre-storm

• Case, latch, and elevate.
• Place silica gel or case humidifier depending on your room RH.
• Loosen bow hair slightly; do not overtighten before storage.
• Keep shoulder rest and extra strings in the compartment.

During/after

• When power returns, let the case acclimate unopened for ~30 minutes before playing (reduces condensation).
• Inspect the bridge angle (should be upright) and check pegs for slip; retune gradually.

5) If You Need to Evacuate (Grab-&-Go Kit)

• One instrument per person if space is tight (case with strap).
• Docs: photo album + a small note with name, phone, email inside the case.
• Humidity packs (2–3), tuner/metronome app, microfiber cloth, spare strings/reeds/rosin/picks.
• Keyboard option: 61–88-key portable with headphones (if essential for practice).
• Soft gig bag is fine for speed—protect from crush by packing between soft items.

6) After the Storm: Inspection & Recovery

Room first

• Is the RH back to 40–50%? Run A/C or dehumidifier until readings stabilize.

Instrument checks (in order)

1. Exterior: finish cracks, lifted seams, clouding or water marks.
2. Hardware: pegs/tuners turn smoothly; no rust on strings/screws.
3. Playability: sudden buzzes, high action, or sticky keys (pianos).
4. Electronics: for keyboards/amps, plug into a surge protector only after the room is fully dry and at normal RH; if it smells burnt or trips protection, unplug immediately.

Call a pro if…

• The soundboard (piano) shows ripples or keys stick even after drying.
• A guitar/violin has opened seams, warped neck, or persistent tuning drift.
• Electronics were submerged or in standing water.

7) Insurance & Documentation (2 easy habits)

• Serials & specs: Keep a simple note per instrument: brand, model, serial, purchase date/price, photos.
• Off-site backup: Email the album and doc to yourself (or cloud storage) before the storm.

If you need a simple Google Doc template, ask us and we’ll share a fill-in copy.

Bonus: Quick Tips for Other Instruments

• Woodwinds: Case with reeds in original sleeves; avoid heat in cars. After the storm, swab moisture and check pads.
• Brass: Empty water keys, dry the case interior if damp; re-oil valves/slides after RH stabilizes.
• Drums: If using acoustic kits, store sticks, snare, and pedals high. E-kits: unplug brain and lift pads off the floor.

FAQ

Should I move the piano to another room?
Only if it’s quick and safe. Often it’s enough to rotate and pull from the wall, add caster cups, and relocate to an interior wall.

Do I detune guitars/violins for storms?
For short events, no. Stable tension is fine. Focus on case + humidity control + elevation.

Can I cover instruments in plastic?
Use breathable layers first (cotton). If you add plastic as a final rain shield, keep air gaps and remove it as soon as the threat passes.

When should I tune and play again?
After your home holds 40–50% RH for 24–48 hours. Tune gradually; schedule a tuning/setup if things still feel off.

Want help storm-proofing your music space?

We’ll help you pick the safest room, set humidity targets, and create a grab-&-go plan—then get lessons rolling again with virtual make-ups if needed.