Hard-water Removal & Protection by RayAccess
RayAccess, Inc. specialize in glass restoration and hard-water stains removal from glass, marble, granite and metal (stainless steel, aluminum).
Hard-water (aka calcium deposits, glass corrosion, oxidation) are the most common type of glass damage. They can appear as grey or white hazy stains with shape of water drips. Basically, Hard Water stains are result of glass corrosion due constant exposure by water and concentration of inorganic compounds dissolved in water (TDS). In regular water there are hundreds of different ions of dissolved materials, the most of them are calcium (Ca+2), chloride (Cl-), magnesium (Mg+2), sodium (Na+), sulfate (SO4-2). Solids dissolved in water literally stuck in rough surface of the glass and react chemically bonding with the glass. The result of those chemical reactions are insoluble compounds that can be removed only mechanically or chemically. Typical, problem areas are shower doors and walls, areas around spray irrigation system, areas of dripping condensate or rain water from building elements (flashing, gutters, frames, cornices, etc.)
There are several ways to prevent hard water stains appearance.
a. Eliminating the source of water if possible. For example, redirecting or improving irrigation system around a building.
b. Protecting glass, polished stone, metals from corrosion by applying special sealer. Most of the sealers can provide 1-2 years protection depending on sun and water exposure, and then need to be reapplied.
c. Drying all smooth surfaces (glass, metal, polished stone) if they got exposed to the water as soon as possible. For example, if you’ve rinsed windows from hose, they should be wiped or squeegeed. Otherwise, remaining water drips and dissolved salts will corrode the glass causing hard-water stains overtime.
RayAccess offer hard-water stains (oxidation, calcium deposits) removal and protection on the most of the exterior and interior building surfaces including glass, polished stones and tiles (marble, ceramic, granite, etc.), metal (stainless steel, aluminum). We provide this service for residential and commercial clients from small 1-2 window projects to large high-rise buildings.
Hard-water Removal Services
Chemical Removal
Chemical removal is based on idea of dissolving contaminants and their bonds with material by using products based on acid or alkali.
Advantages: It is the fastest and less expensive way to remove light staining.
Disadvantages: Chemical Removal should be only used by specialist as there is a risk to etch or damage the substrate and area around. In addition, it involves hazardous products so operator should wear appropriate PPE.
We only use Chemical Removal if there is absolutely no risk for the property and environment.
Polishing
Polishing allows to mechanically remove contaminants and flatten back the surface of glass, metals, polished stones and tiles. In addition, special products can be applied to speed up the process.
Advantages: Polishing works perfectly with any type of smooth material and the most of the stains.
Disadvantages: Polishing is more time consuming and expensive then Chemical Removal. Restoration process requires application of special equipment like buffer with adjustable RPM, polishing pads and polishing compound, pads for corners and etc. Glass Polishing requires special skills and experience in glass restoration due possibility to scratch or mechanically damage the glass.
We use Polishing for most of stain removal projects including hard-water (calcium, oxidation), etch removal, tint residue removal and etc.
Hard-water Protection
It’s very important to prevent hard-water reappearance by applying special clear sealer. Typically, such sealer can protect the surface for 6-24 months depending on the environment.
Significantly, professional protection sealers neither affect original color of polished stones or metals, nor transparency of glass.
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Hard-water Removal Service Area
RayAccess, Inc. provides Hard-water Removal Services at following areas: Los Angeles County (including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Burbank, San Fernando, Pasadena, Culver City, Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey, El Segundo, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, City of Commerce)
