If you’re planning a shower glass installation for your Houston home, understanding how to navigate the city’s notoriously hard, mineral-filled water can be a large undertaking. Regardless of your intricate design or custom shower dreams, nothing will take a clear shower enclosure and turn it into an etched, foggy pane faster than mineral-rich water. Even if you squeegee every day, relentlessly clean, and research DIY mineral-deterrant cleaners, cloudy streaks will continue to appear. This isn’t a failure of your cleaning regime, but simply the hard water that Houston faces. The best way to mitigate this unsightly problem before it starts is to invest in high-quality, professional shower glass installation from Action Glass in Houston. Use this blog as your guide to navigating Houston’s hard water and how your shower glass can help.
Why Houston Water is a Shower Glass Killer
Everybody can recognize the irritating white water spots that appear in a matter of hours after taking a shower. Because of this, understanding the chemistry behind these everyday occurrences is essential for learning how your shower glass can play a role in keeping your bathroom looking spotless. Houston’s hard water is primarily sourced from water sources such as Lake Houston, Lake Conroe, and the Trinity River, as well as some from groundwater sources. The water source is harder because it is rich in dissolved minerals such as calcium or magnesium. Typically, Houston water scores at about 8.0 grains per gallon (gpg) or 137 mg/L, well crossing the threshold that defines hard water of 120. This is because it gradually picks up minerals as the water flows swiftly over the limestone river or lake bottom. Because of this, hard water got its nickname due to the heavy mineral content.
This specific chemical composition makes Houston’s water highly corrosive to silica-based surfaces such as shower glass. When water on the glass evaporates, it leaves behind the mineral solids, which are called limescale. Although it is easy to remove quickly with an acid-based cleaner, when left on the surface of your shower glass, it can lead to severe etching and damage over time. This might look like an odd texture on the surface of the glass or a thick, cloudy appearance. Once a certain level of cloudiness or etching has occurred, the only option is professional restoration or a complete shower glass installation replacement from a certified glass expert like Action Glass Houston.
Why Short-Term Shower Glass Etching Repairs Fall Short
Now that you understand the corrosive chemical composition of Houston’s hard water and how it can threaten your home’s shower glass, learning about both the short-term and long-term solutions is vital. The primary short-term, highly marketed solutions might seem simple, but the truth is that these fixes are not only temporary solutions, but can also worsen the chemical damage.
The most common DIY fix is a wax or polymer sealant. Some homeowners choose sealants such as Rain-X or even car waxes, as they are both cheap and easy to apply to shower glass. However, these are some of the most temporary solutions, lasting only a few months or even weeks. This is especially true due to the high-heat environments of showers. Additionally, these seals often require reapplication, which can trap dirt and leave a sticky residue.
The other popular short-term treatment is mineral oil. While this may improve clairty temporarily by rehydrating the glass, it requires daily maintenance and cleaning to keep your shower glass from returning to its cloudy, scratched appearance. Along with the constant upkeep, it can also play a significant role in attracting soap and scum, as well as mold – turning your beautiful shower glass into a slick, oily, unesthetic film that is difficult to fully clean.
Professional, Permanent Shower Glass Barrier Coatings
Temporary waxes and seals only bring short-term relief from Houston’s hard water effects on your glass shower doors or enclosures. Because of this, finding professional shower glass protection against hard water is essential. These barrier coatings work on a significantly larger scale than temporary solutions like wax or mineral oil seals by fundamentally altering how the hard water interacts with the surface of the glass.
This is what many Houston glass professionals call Nanotechnology or Covalent bonding. These treatments include using specialized polymer or ceramic-based coatings on the surface of the glass. Unlike wax- or oil-based seals, professional seals bond to the shower glass at a molecular level, providing long-term, reliable performance. Nanotechnology works by creating a bond between the coating and the silica in the glass, becoming a part of the pane and creating a durable shield that prevents hard water from etching or forming cloudiness.
The two primary types of professional shower glass seals include:
- Hydrophobic: Has properties that repel water and cause it to slide off the glass in beads, protecting it from the minerals settling onto the surface.
- Oleophobic: This type of glass shower solution repels oil. Making it crucial for resisting not only hard water buildup, but also oily soap scum from body washes, shampoo, and conditioner.
The primary difference between DIY solutions and professional shower glass is the longevity of the results. Not only do you save money in the long run by avoiding constant expenses and reapplications, but you can also avoid full shower glass installation fees if a replacement is required. Additionally, when a professional coating is applied, you can also expect a direct decline in cleaning, as the product will naturally roll off the glass and leave no trace of any hard water mineral buildup.
Extending the Life of Your Shower Glass Coating Installation
Now that you understand the value in investing in a defense system for your shower glass, the final step is understanding how to properly maintain and care for the coating after it’s installed on your shower glass. The most important thing to remember is that hot water is your biggest foe. Because of this, simply rinsing off your shower glass with cold water after you enjoy a steamy shower can help significantly with preventing mineral buildup from successfully building up on the pane. For the majority of Houston homeowners, this is the extent of their shower glass coating installation upkeep.
However, if you’re looking for a safe chemical cleaner to help really shine up your pane, consider using a solution made from a mild dish soap mixed with cool water. Be sure to avoid abrasive scrub pads such as steel wool or harsh chemicals that contain ammonia or bleach. Look for low pH value cleaners to keep the coating intact.
Prevent Hard Water Buildup With Shower Glass Coatings
Houston’s hard water is quite literally inescapable for the homeowners in the city. Streaks of white sediment and severe fogging on the pane result from continuously cleaning and wiping the glass, causing incredible frustration. Professional shower glass coatings for your Houston home offer reliable, safe, and effective solutions that end the toiling with no real, lasting results. At Action Glass, we provide coatings for shower glass that not only last for years to come, but will make your showers more visually appealing and durable. Contact us today for a free shower glass coating installation estimate.