Why Does My Piano Pedal Squeak?
If you are a regular pianist and play very often in concerts and practice sessions, sometimes you might have heard a squeaky noise from your piano pedals. If it’s a low noise it is manageable. However, if the noise is loud and interferes with you piano playing regime, it needs immediate attention!!
3 Lever Piano Pedals (Sustain, Sostenuto and Damper) and 1 Lever Piano Pedals (Sostenuto) have sometimes this problem with the mechanical structures attached to the piano. They produce a loud squeaky tapping sound which causes hindrance while playing the piano. The problem could lie either in the pedal rod, pedal board assembly or the structure connected to the action of the piano.
In this article we will cover the details about piano pedal squeaking issues and how as a piano player you can avoid and solve the problem.
Why Do Piano Pedals Squeak?
The 3 key reasons why piano pedals squeak for your upright, grand or digital pianos are:
- Pedal Levers could be possibly having contact and rubbing against each other with friction causing the squeak sound.
- The pedal rod could be the culprit, which may be improperly mounted onto the Piano Action causing the squeak sound
- The piano frame could be displaced, eventually the pedal rod could be rubbing against the frame to cause the sound.
The below picture view demonstrates how a squeaky piano pedal issue originates and what the possible causes for the issue:
How to Solve Piano Pedal Squeaking Issues for Your Piano?
In the next section we shall discuss about the possible ways for easy detection and available solutions to fix the pedal squeaking issues with your piano.
Step -1: Detection and Problem Isolation
- Place your Ears near the Pedal Board and Press the 3 Pedals one by one
- Check the source of the squeaking sound. It could either be the Pedal Levers assembly, Pedal Rod or Piano Action area where the top of the pedal is mounted.
- You must try to isolate the Issue, detect the single source of squeak for your piano pedal.
Step-2: Check for Self-Fix
- If you have knowledge about the mechanics of the moving parts of the piano and have sorted out piano issues earlier on your own, then go for this step. You can use a dry lubricant such as Teflon Powder Graphite to carefully lubricate the piano pedal rod connections, pedal assembly to see if the squeaking issue gets solved out.
- Once you have applied the lubricant to the moving parts, press the pedal levers one by one and re-check if the squeaking issue is resolved.
- In case still the issue persists; you must call for help now. Please contact a professional Piano Technician from your locality to have a site visit for detection and fixing the issue further.
Step-3: Call for Professional Help
- Please find out the best Piano service company providing site visit and home services at your location.
- Inform them about the pedal squeaking issue and pre-book a site visit with the technician as early as possible.
- Once they visit your premises, allow them to identify, isolate and fix the issue with your pedals. The issue might take hours or repeated days of visit to fix and monitor, so you have to prepared for 2-3 site visits from their side. For details about the various servicing centres in United States and United Kingdom, please go through the below section.
Top 5 Piano Servicing Centers in US and UK
Based on wholistic and fulfilling experience of service, we have listed out the top 5 Piano servicing centres in US and UK who can sort out your Piano Pedal squeaking issues by offering professional help as and when required:
For United States Region:
For United Kingdom Region:
Frequently Asked Questions
Below is the list of the most commonly asked questions by our viewers who are piano enthusiasts or have been playing the piano for several years.
Q1) Why does my Piano Pedal Squeak too often?
If your piano is more than 8-10 years old, pedal issues arise due to mechanical wear and tear of the moving parts such as pedal rod, action or the pedal levers in your piano. Such issues can cause frequent squeaking sounds in your piano.
Q2) Which chemical lubricant or powder is the best solution to prevent squeaking issues for my Pedal?
As per expert advice, piano technicians suggest using Teflon Graphite powder for fixing the pedal squeaking issues. However, we suggest to get advice from an expert technician after a thorough check-up of the parts of piano pedal. Usually liquid / jelly lubricants should be avoided as much as possible.
Q3) Can I get professional service for solving my Piano Pedal Issues?
There are many professional Piano technicians and Piano servicing companies in US and UK, who take full ownership and solve the pedal squeaking issues. They provide house visits and usually repair the piano at your place.
Q4) Should I try fixing myself using Self fixing solutions or tricks for fixing my pedal squeaking sound?
If you are aware about piano mechanics and have an experience of fixing piano issues earlier, you can plan for a self-repair. However, if that is not the case, please hire a professional piano service repairing company to get the job done.
Q5) How do I know from which part the squeaking sound originates in my piano pedal?
There are mainly 3 places from where the squeaking problem arises for piano pedals – The pedal assembly / pedal board, pedal rod or the action pedal connection assembly. You have to check thoroughly with your ears for the source of the sound to identify the exact location of the issue.
Q6) How quickly a piano pedal squeaking issue be fixed?
It depends on the source of the squeaking issue. Most of the minor issues with pedal assembly, rod or action alignment issues can be identified and fixed in one single session i.e. in one day of the piano technician visit. However, at times, if the pedal squeaking issue cannot be identified in a single visit, then a 2nd or 3rd visit would be required to fix it.
Q7) What is the average charge for house visit by a professional piano technician to fix my pedal issue?
Piano Technicians usually charge 40-50 USD average fees per session. Specialist companies could charge as much as 80-100 USD for piano repair and service work at your premises.
Q8) How do I ensure that my pedal squeaking issues does not return back after the fix is completed?
You should take the following steps regularly to ensure the pedal squeaking does not start over again:
1. Check slightest sounds from the pedal board, rod and pedal assembly every time you play the piano.
2. Use Teflon powder graphite for dry lubrication whenever small squeaking sounds are heard
3. Plan for a preventive maintenance check every 3-6 months for your piano to avoid any mechanical issues with your instrument.
Below is a list of the best practices (Do’s and Don’ts) for your quick reference:
Final Verdict
Piano Pedals are subject to wear and tear due to moving mechanical parts connected to each other. Hence with time, piano pedals may produce squeaking sounds. It is essential to treat the problem at the right time with professional help from Piano servicing companies. This way your instrument can be safe and you should get the best possible clear effects from your piano pedals.
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