Removing Calcium Deposits

FREEZE, put down the garden hose and no more windows will have to get hurt!

For some reason it doesn't appear to be common knowledge that the water in Arizona is what is called "hard water", and that spraying "hard water" onto glass and allowing it to dry there causes damage to the glass. Perhaps it's just because windows look flat and water appears to run down the glass that home-owners and often even other uneducated trade workers like painters, landscapers, flooring installers, roofers, etc. will all try to wash away their "oopsies" from off the window with a garden hose (and a scraper, but that's another story). But the facts are that windows, and all glass for that matter, are not actually flat. Microscopically the glass has many peaks and valleys, pits and crevices. Water may run over these microscopic features of the glass, but believe me it leaves a footprint, a large one. If you've ever been to Kartchner Caverns you know what running water can do over time. All those stalagmites, stalactites, soda straws, cave bacon, and even the Kubla Khan were made by mineral deposits left behind from running water.

Can water from your garden hose or sprinklers do that to your windows? Actually yes, although it doesn't look that amazing. Unfortunately it's actually quite irritating when your windows become damaged by mineral build-up from hard water. While magnesium and other elements are also to blame the main element that causes this problem is calcium, hence why it is often referred to as "calcium stain" and why most window cleaning companies who, like Streakless Windows, offer to rid your windows of this damage when possible, refer to this type of window restoration service as "Calcium Removal".

"Did you say window restoration?", you may ask. Yes, sadly the minerals actually corrode the glass surface and it needs to be restored. Chemicals can be used to remove stage 1 corrosion, but will not remove stage 2 corrosion. Up until recently stage 2 corrosion was thought to be the final straw for the poor damaged window before it moves out of your house and into the landfill. But with the use of grinders and soft abrasive pads designed for hard-water stain and graffiti-removal from glass, stage 2 corrosion can also be removed in most cases now and the glass can be polished to look as good as new.

Our customers LOVE being able to see through their windows again and you will too.

Call us to schedule an appointment as quick as you can and stop the damage. And don't forget please, stop watering your windows, they won't grow flowers.