Hard Water Stain Removal
Cleaning your windows is bad enough without hard water stains making it even more difficult. Those stubborn spots seem to cling to your window no matter how many internet tips and tricks you try. Many homeowners will find a method that removes some of the mineral stain, only to realize that they hadn’t taken into account just how many windows they actually have.
Not only is window cleaning time consuming, it requires specialized tools and equipment, especially for those windows that are high up. Without the proper safety measures, window cleaning can quickly become dangerous and no amount of window shine is worth risking your safety. Window Cleaning Utah County is trained and experienced in the fight against hard water stains and while not all stains are removable, we have several methods of removing as much staining as possible without scratching or damaging your windows. Hard Water Stain CausesAs residential window cleaning professionals, the request we get most often from homeowners is for hard water removal. While nearly everyone experiences this awful staining on their windows, most don’t know what it actually is.
Simply put, hard water is water with a high content of minerals caused by water percolating through limestone and chalk deposits, both of which are made up of mainly calcium and magnesium carbonates. Water that has not been softened retains trace amounts of all of these minerals which are then deposited onto your windows after the water has evaporated. Glass, while it appears smooth, is actually porous, and at a microscopic level you can see tiny creases in it. This means that dirt, debris, and minerals are actually deposited within its structure, manipulating it and making the stains nearly impossible to remove. |
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Avoiding Hard Water Stains
Obviously the most effective way to avoid hard water stains is to prevent water from hitting your windows, but that is nearly impossible for most homes. Storms are the one of main culprits of hard water on your exterior windows, and thus far, no one has been able to convince rain and snow to point away from them. Sprinklers are another major cause, and we always advise homeowners to point sprinklers away from windows whenever possible and avoid spraying the windows when using the garden hose.
Dirty screens are another source of hard water stains. The screen’s job is to trap dirt and other particles, but when splashed with water, all of that debris is then deposited onto your windows and left to dry. Regular screen cleaning will help keep those dreadful stains off of your glass and keep it free of calcium deposit/buildup.
A damaged or missing screen leaves your window completely unprotected. While a dirty screen can create hard water stains when wet, a missing or broken screen provides no filtering and allows all of the particles and debris that come along to settle right onto your windows. Window Cleaning Utah County specializes in screen repair and screen building right on site so you never have to leave your freshly cleaned glass unprotected.
There are often some windows that you just cannot prevent water from getting to. For these, a little maintenance can go a long way. Regularly wiping down your windows with a solution of rubbing alcohol and water is a simple way to remove some of the lighter spots and help maintain those clear windows. Avoid anything abrasive that could potentially scratch the glass; a simple soft cloth will do the trick.
A damaged or missing screen leaves your window completely unprotected. While a dirty screen can create hard water stains when wet, a missing or broken screen provides no filtering and allows all of the particles and debris that come along to settle right onto your windows. Window Cleaning Utah County specializes in screen repair and screen building right on site so you never have to leave your freshly cleaned glass unprotected.
There are often some windows that you just cannot prevent water from getting to. For these, a little maintenance can go a long way. Regularly wiping down your windows with a solution of rubbing alcohol and water is a simple way to remove some of the lighter spots and help maintain those clear windows. Avoid anything abrasive that could potentially scratch the glass; a simple soft cloth will do the trick.
Regular Scheduled Window Cleaning
It is often believed that mineral stain and hard water are only found on the outside of windows, but they are quite prevalent inside as well. Particularly in bathrooms and kitchens where water is constantly running and can easily splash onto the glass. In order to provide a thorough hard water stain removal, the windows must be cleaned inside and out with a specialized paste or solution, a fair amount of know-how, and a whole lot of elbow grease.
The biggest issue with hard water removal is that by the time a professional is called in to remove it, it has been sitting on the windows for quite awhile. Leaving the hard water there for too long can completely destroy a beautiful window; it is always advisable to invest in regular cleaning to avoid having to invest in brand new windows.
The biggest issue with hard water removal is that by the time a professional is called in to remove it, it has been sitting on the windows for quite awhile. Leaving the hard water there for too long can completely destroy a beautiful window; it is always advisable to invest in regular cleaning to avoid having to invest in brand new windows.
By setting up a regular scheduled window cleaning, you make certain that your windows get a thorough and professional water stain removal, minimizing the risk of permanent staining or other damage. Plus, you get the added benefit of always having clean, clear windows to enjoy between cleanings.