Hard Water Hazards

In a few short weeks, the trees will bud, “snowbirds” will move back home and the grass will come out of hibernation.  These are the signs that Minnesotan’s look forward to every year to signal that winter is finally over.  Next thing you know the flowers will be blooming and watering the lawn will become a part of your weekly routine.

Whether you have an in-ground sprinkler system or standard hose sprinkler, there are two simple things that you should be doing that will prevent damage to one of the most expensive pieces of your home. You’re probably thinking….how can sprinkler water damage my home?? The answer is Hard Water.    Inside our homes, we use water-softener systems to remove the minerals that damage our clothes while in the washer, and our hair while in the shower. Very few homes have a system that remove those minerals from outdoor irrigation systems. When those minerals land on surfaces and dry, they leave a scaly residue.  That is where the damage to your home comes in. The one surface where you will undoubtedly notice the damage caused by hard water is on your windows.  Hard water is defined as 7-10 mineral grains per gallon (GPM), and extremely hard water is over 10 mineral GPM.  On average, Maple Grove and the surrounding cities have 19-24 mineral GPM.  The longer the stains are left on the surface of the glass, the more damage it will cause in the form of pitting or etching.  So, how can you prevent this damage?

1.       Observe your sprinkler/system and insure that the water is not being sprayed onto your glass surfaces.  If they are, redirect them slightly so that the water is only landing on the areas you are intending to water.

2.      Perform regular maintenance.  Inevitably the wind will pick up while your well-aimed sprinklers are on and blow hard water on to your glass.  This is especially true for ground level and basement windows. By having your windows cleaned regularly, you will remove the harmful minerals and ensure that restoration or replacement is not needed. Integrating these two simple steps into your spring routine, you’ll guarantee that your view of the beautiful spring sites will continue to be unobstructed for years and years to come.  If by chance, your windows have already accumulated hard water stains over the years, don’t replace them just yet, they might be able to be restored through resurfacing.  This process is much shorter and significantly more affordable.

If you have any questions, feel free to call, or email me!

Ryan Doliber

United Window Cleaning

(612) 730-3920

https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWindowCleaningMN

www.unitedcleanmn.com