What causes hard water stains?

1. Sprinkler systems spraying hard water onto glass.
2. Hosing concrete paths where lime bounces up onto glass
3. Lime leaching out of cement from buildings onto glass.
4. Silica leaching out of seals onto lower sheets of glass
5. Iron leaching out of metal fly screens onto glass.
6. Spots or water left to dry on shower screens or non-squeegeed glass

 

Glass Stain Types – Definitions

Sprinkler Stain: This stain is caused by a sprinkler system placed too close to the glass. The spray is directed in such a way that it hits the glass on a regular basis. These stains can also be developed from wind that blows the water on the glass over a period of time. Calcium, salts or magnesium from the local water system cause most sprinkler stains (bore water or spear pump water are the cause of some stains)

 

Condensation Stain: This stain is caused by water collecting under the first few inches of a window frame along the top. The sun does not evaporate the morning dew and over time this can cause a stain.

 

Building Run-off Stain: The minerals present in building materials such as limestone, Portland cement, brick or other materials leaching on to the glass surface after rains cause this stain.

 

Chemical Stain: This stain is caused by chemical residue from certain cleaning solutions left to dry on the surface or reaction from the chemical upon application.

 

 

Glass Stain Removal

 

A Standard Cleaning is the process of washing all glass surfaces with a brush/scrubber with a soap solution followed by its removal by a squeegee. This process is not expected to remove paint, sealants or glass stain damage, (reprint from the International Window Cleaning Association, Glass Stains Seminar)

 

Glass stain removal is not a standard process-of window cleaning service. The reason for this is the amount of time and chemicals needed to address the problem. Asking a window-cleaning contractor to remove stains as part of a Standard Cleaning is like brushing your teeth after 1 year and expecting to remove plaque.

The lack of a regular maintenance program allows minerals and chemicals to etch or build up on the glass surface and in some cases cause permanent damage. This condition can be caused by a number of reasons including but not limited to, sprinkler systems over spray, water run off from building design, condensation and improper chemical application from prior attempts to remove the stains.

The cost of removal can be substantial, although it is much less than the cost of replacement. Many times it is not possible to discover the full extent of damage or determine the price of removal until a Standard Cleaning is performed and viewed by the customer and window-cleaning contractor.

 

GETTING HIGH ON MAINTENANCE will inspect the project with the customer to confirm the stains and perform tests in areas agreed upon by the customer to determine to what extent it can be removed. The cost of the tests are free.