Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection has become one of the most trusted ways to protect your water from bacteria. It works without chemicals, doesn’t change the taste or smell of water, and provides a level of protection that traditional filtration alone can’t achieve. For those who want a reliable, maintenance‑friendly solution, UV is often the final step that ensures water is microbiologically safe. When you look at the role of UV in water treatment, its function is to provide in excess of 99.9% reduction of waterborne pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria.

How UV Disinfection Works
UV systems use a specialized lamp that produces light at a specific wavelength, and works through a process called inactivation. As water passes through the chamber, that light disrupts the DNA of microorganisms. This exposure prevents bacteria from reproducing, effectively stopping them in their tracks before they can cause illness. This happens instantly as water moves through the chamber, and nothing is added to the water in the process.

There’s no chlorine. No chemical feed pumps. No residuals. Just light.

Why People Choose UV Systems
UV is popular because it provides protection without altering water chemistry. It’s especially valuable for:

• Private wells
• Water sources with seasonal contamination concerns
• Locations with coliform or E. coli risks
• Properties that want a final barrier of protection
• Systems that benefit from dependable, year‑round performance based on light intensity and contact time

What UV Does Not Do
UV is powerful, but it has a specific job. To keep expectations clear, here’s what UV does not address:

• It does not remove sediment. Particles must be filtered out before water reaches the UV chamber.
• It does not remove chemicals. UV neutralizes microorganisms only — not contaminants like pesticides or metals.
• It does not improve taste, odor, or color. Those issues require other treatment methods.
• Certain organisms — like Legionella protected inside biofilm, fungal spores, and bacterial spores — may require higher UV doses or can be shielded from UV exposure.

UV is strictly a disinfection technology. It works best when paired with proper pre‑filtration.

The Technical Side
UV disinfection is built on three core principles:

1. UV Dose
Dose is the amount of UV energy delivered to the water. Higher dose = stronger disinfection. Most UV systems are designed to meet or exceed the standard dose required for bacteria inactivation.

2. Intensity
The lamp must produce strong, consistent UV output. Over time, lamp intensity naturally decreases, which is why annual lamp replacement is part of normal maintenance.

3. Contact Time
Water must remain in the chamber long enough for the UV light to do its job. Flow rate matters — systems are sized so water moves at the correct speed for effective exposure.

Additional Technical Components

• Quartz Sleeve: A clear tube that protects the lamp while allowing UV light to pass through. It should be replaced at least every two years.
• Ballast/Controller: Regulates lamp power and monitors system status.
• Chamber Design: Ensures water flows evenly around the lamp for consistent exposure.

These elements work together to deliver reliable, chemical‑free disinfection.

View UV Light Brochure
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If you’re considering UV protection or want to know whether your current setup is sized correctly, our team can walk you through the options. We install and maintain UV systems for all types of sites throughout the Middle Peninsula, Hampton Roads, Northern Neck, and Richmond areas of Virginia and can evaluate your water conditions to determine if UV is the right fit.

Contact us today to schedule a UV review consultation appointment or to learn more. 

If you've ever wondered whether the softener salt you choose makes a difference in how your softener performs, the short answer answer is yes — and more than most people realize. In our prior blog, Salt and Your Brine (Salt) Tank, we talked about how certain salt types can contribute to issues inside the tank. This time, we’re taking a broader look at why salt choice matters in the first place and how a few simple habits can help keep your system running smoothly.

Purity Matters More Than You Think
Higher purity salt dissolves more cleanly, which means fewer impurities left behind in the tank. When salt dissolves the way it should, your softener can regenerate properly and deliver consistent water quality. Lower‑purity salts may cost less upfront, but they often leave behind more residue — and that buildup can affect performance over time.

Solar Salt vs. Pellets: What’s the Difference?
Solar salt is naturally evaporated and tends to dissolve more efficiently. Pellets are manufactured and can vary in how they break down. While both can work in softeners, solar salt generally supports smoother operation with fewer complications. If you’ve ever noticed your salt level not dropping the way you expect, the type of salt you’re using may be part of the reason.

Match Your Salt to Your Water Conditions
If your water has iron, choosing a salt formulated to help manage staining can make a noticeable difference. If iron isn’t a concern, a clean, high‑purity standard salt is usually all you need. The key is choosing a salt that supports your system* rather than working against it.

If you’d like to see our specific recommendations, you can find them in our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) here. 
 
A Few Simple Habits Go a Long Way

• Keep an eye on your salt level and refill the tank before it gets too low.
• Break up any hardened areas you notice on the surface.
• Stick with one type of salt rather than switching back and forth.

A clean tank also supports performance, and our technicians can handle that as an additional part of your service when needed. These small steps help your softener stay consistent and reduce the chance of performance issues.
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The Bottom Line
The salt you choose plays a direct role in how well your softener works. With the right type and a few easy habits, you can help your system stay efficient, reliable, and ready to deliver the water quality you expect. For a deeper dive into our tank-cleaning details, read our blog Salt and Your Brine (Salt) Tank. 

We provide repairs and maintenance on most brands of water treatment equipment. Contact us today if you have questions about which salt is right for your system.

*Some systems aren’t compatible with rust protection salt. If you’re not sure whether yours can use it, contact us and we can help you determine the right fit.

A strange smell in your water is never pleasant, but the good news is that most odor issues come from just a few familiar places. The key is figuring out where the smell is coming from so you know what actually needs attention.

Here’s a simple, homeowner‑friendly way to narrow it down — the same logic behind our I Have Smell in My Water flow chart.

1. Smell in Both Hot and Cold Water Everywhere
If the odor shows up no matter which tap you use, the issue usually isn’t your water heater. Instead, it often points to something in the well, the plumbing, or a treatment system that needs maintenance.
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Common culprits:

• True sulfur smell from the well
• Specific sections of plumbing that need to be replaced
• A treatment system that needs service

This is the “whole‑house” category — and it’s usually straightforward to diagnose.
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2. Smell Only in the Hot Water
If the odor appears only when you use hot water, the source is almost always the water heater, not the well. Inside many water heaters is a magnesium anode rod. When that rod reacts with certain minerals, it can create a sulfur‑type “rotten egg” smell. It’s harmless — but annoying.

A powered anode rod is the long‑term fix for this specific issue. It stops that reaction, protects the tank from corrosion, and eliminates the odor at the source. You can learn more about how powered anode rods work — and the benefits they offer — by reviewing this Corro‑Protec brochure. 

If you’re interested in having one purchased and installed*, we can take care of that for you.

*110-volt outlet required for operation
 
3. Smell in Both Hot and Cold Water, but only in a few locations
If the odor shows up in only a few locations you use, the issue is the plumbing at those locations.

Common culprits:

• Specific sections of plumbing that need to be replaced
• Bacteria or organic material in the drain

When You’re Not Sure
If the smell comes and goes, or you’re getting mixed signals, that’s normal. Odor can shift depending on:

• How long the water has been sitting
• Time of year or season
• Which fixtures you’re using

That’s exactly why we built our flow chart — it helps you sort through the possibilities quickly.

Need Help Pinpointing It?
You can walk through the steps yourself using our Smell Chart, or we can handle the detective work for you. We’ll track down the source and explain what’s going on in plain language.
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Contact us today to schedule your consultation appointment or to learn more.

Lead is one of the most discussed contaminants in drinking water — and for good reason. Even small amounts can be a concern, and unlike many other contaminants, lead doesn’t come from the water source itself. It comes from plumbing, fixtures, solder, and components inside the home.

Here’s what homeowners often don’t realize:
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1. Lead levels can change throughout the day
Water sitting in pipes can pick up more lead, especially in older homes or homes with brass fixtures. A morning sample may look different from an afternoon sample.

2. Clear water doesn’t mean safe water
Lead is invisible. You can’t detect it by taste, smell, or appearance.

3. Not all filters reduce lead
Many common filters — including some whole home systems — are designed for sediment, chlorine, or taste and odor. Lead requires specific media and specific testing.

4. Soluble and particulate lead behave differently
Some systems only address one form. Effective reduction requires handling both.

5. Point‑of‑use filters have limits
They protect a single tap, not showers, dishwashers, laundry, or the rest of the plumbing system. For drinking water specifically, many homeowners choose a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system because it reduces contaminants at the tap — the water you use for drinking, cooking, coffee, baby formula, and ice. RO doesn’t replace a whole‑home system, but it can be a helpful addition for the water you consume every day.
 
Understanding how lead behaves helps homeowners make informed decisions about their water and their equipment. If you’re unsure what your current system is designed to do, Water Pro can help you review your setup and understand your options.
 
What can you do? A whole-house system handles what enters your home because it’s installed at the entry point. Pioneer™ is certified to reduce PFAS and lead before the water moves through your plumbing. That means every shower, laundry load, and faucet starts with cleaner water from the start.

A Reverse Osmosis (RO) system handles what you drink because RO systems are designed for the water you consume every day — drinking, cooking, coffee, baby formula, pet bowls, ice makers; giving you highly purified drinking water right where you use it most.

Do you need both? It depends on the peace of mind you want.
The EPA notes that lead is not absorbed through the skin, so bathing and washing aren’t considered exposure risks. However, PFAS is absorbed through the skin.

Since 1) the entry point is a considerable source of PFAS and lead, and 2) drinking water is the primary way lead enters the body — many homeowners choose:

• Pioneer to reduce what enters the home
• RO to polish what comes out of the kitchen sink

Together, they create two layers of confidence: cleaner water throughout the home and purified water at the tap.

If you’d like to learn a little more about how lead behaves in household water, these resources are a helpful place to start.

If you’re curious about a whole‑home option that is tested for lead reduction, the Pioneer™ System is one of the few residential systems designed for both soluble and particulate lead.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation appointment or to learn more.

PFAS have become one of the most talked‑about topics in drinking water — not because they’re new, but because we now understand far more about how they behave in the environment and why they’re so difficult to remove once they reach water sources.

These compounds aren’t visible, they don’t change the taste or smell of water, and they move through soil and groundwater in ways many homeowners don’t expect. That’s why understanding what PFAS are — and why they matter — is more important than ever.

What Exactly Are PFAS?
PFAS (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large family of man‑made chemicals used since the 1940s in products designed to resist heat, water, oil, and stains. They appear in items like nonstick cookware, water‑repellent fabrics, food packaging, and certain industrial processes.

What makes PFAS unique is their chemical stability. The carbon‑fluorine bond that defines them is one of the strongest in organic chemistry, which means PFAS don’t readily break down in the environment. Instead, they persist — moving through soil, accumulating in groundwater, and remaining in water sources for decades.

Why PFAS Behave Differently in Water
PFAS compounds are extremely mobile. Unlike contaminants that settle out or degrade over time, PFAS can:

• Travel long distances underground
• Remain dissolved in water rather than attaching to soil
• Accumulate gradually in aquifers and private water sources

Their persistence and mobility mean PFAS can show up in water even far from the original source of use or disposal.

Why PFAS Matter for Homeowners
PFAS matter because they require specialized filtration media to reduce them. Traditional whole‑home systems — especially older ones — were designed for sediment, chlorine, or taste and odor. Those systems serve important purposes, but they are not engineered to capture PFAS compounds.
PFAS reduction requires:

• Media with high affinity for PFAS molecules
• Adequate contact time at real household flow rates
• Systems designed specifically for long‑chain compounds like PFOA and PFOS

Without the right type of filtration, PFAS simply pass through.

PFAS vs. Lead: Two Different Challenges
PFAS often get discussed alongside lead, but they behave very differently in water.

• PFAS remain dissolved and require specialized media to capture them.
• Lead appears in two forms:
  • Soluble lead (dissolved in water)
  • Particulate lead (flakes from older plumbing or fixtures)

Both contaminants require treatment approaches that address their specific chemistry and behavior.

Why Many Existing Systems Aren’t Enough
Many whole‑home systems were developed before PFAS became a national concern. As a result:

• They were never engineered with PFAS in mind.
• Their media may not have the capacity or structure needed to capture PFAS.
• They may only address sediment or chlorine — not dissolved contaminants.

This doesn’t make those systems “bad”; it simply means they weren’t built for today’s challenges.

A Purpose‑Built Option for PFAS and Lead
For homeowners looking for a system designed specifically for PFAS and lead, the Pioneer™ Whole House System offers a solution engineered for today’s water concerns.
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Installed at the entry point of the home, Pioneer treats all incoming water — every faucet, shower, appliance, and tap receives the same level of protection.
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If you’d like to learn more about how Pioneer works, you can explore the full system details below.

Still have questions?
Contact us today to schedule your consultation appointment or to learn more.

If your soft water has you second-guessing your soap—or wondering why your skin, hair, or dishes feel a little too slick—you’re not alone. Soft water behaves differently than hard water, and that can take some getting used to. The good news? It’s easy... you don’t need to change your system. In most cases, it’s just a matter of using less product—often half as much as you did with hard water.

Why Soft Water Feels Different: A Quick Science Note
Soft water is created through ion exchange, a process that removes calcium and magnesium—the minerals that make water “hard”—and replaces them with sodium or potassium ions. This change affects how soap interacts with water: without those hard minerals to bind to, soap stays more intact and spreads more easily. That’s why you get more lather with less product, and why rinsing can feel slower or slipperier. It’s not a flaw—it’s chemistry. Once you adjust your habits, soft water can feel just right.
 
The guide below shares simple, low-stress tips for body care, laundry, and dishwashing that help soft water feel just right.
 
Body Wash & Shampoo
Soft water doesn’t rinse away soap the same way hard water does—it’s more efficient, but that can leave skin feeling slippery or that the soap hasn’t washed away. It’s really the oils in your skin that you’re feeling.
Try low-lather, milder, clear/pure, or sulfate-free formulas: These rinse more easily and reduce that “slippery” feeling.

• Avoid heavy additives: These products contain water-softening agents and fillers for hard water, which is unnecessary with soft water, you’re actually paying for ingredients you don’t need.
• Use less product: You may only need half as much as you used with hard water.
• Lather in your hands first: This helps control how much you’re using and improves rinsing.

 
Conditioners
Soft water can make hair feel limp or over-moisturized, especially with rich conditioners.

• Use lighter conditioners or alternate with leave-in sprays.
• Focus on ends, not roots, to avoid buildup.
• Rinse with cooler water to help close the hair cuticle and reduce slipperiness.

 
Laundry Soap
Soft water boosts detergent performance—so much so that using your usual amount can lead to residue or stiff clothes.

• Cut back on detergent: Start with half your normal dose and adjust as needed.
• Avoid heavy additives: Large amounts of phosphates and other water softeners like sodium carbonate (washing soda) or borax.
• Use liquid over powder: Liquids tend to dissolve better in soft water.
• Watch for suds: Excess suds can trap dirt instead of rinsing it away.
• Use HE detergents for HE (High Efficiency) machines: Use high-efficiency (HE) liquid detergent for HE washers.

 
Dish Soap
If your dishes feel filmy or your hands feel slippery after washing, soft water might be the reason.

• Use a small amount of soap—a little goes a long way. Start with a pea-sized amount and see what works best for you.
• Rinse with cooler water to help remove any lingering soap.
• Try a rinse aid in your dishwasher to prevent spotting or streaks.

 
General Tips

• Start with less product: Begin with less than you think you need and adjust as necessary. You can always add more, but it’s harder to rinse the excess soap off.
• Adjust your habits, not your water: Your softener is doing its job—just tweak your routines and products to match.

Still not sure or have questions?  Contact Water Pro today!

​Learn the basics of ion exchange

See how soft water saves energy and detergent

Helpful resources we’ve handpicked for you

Ever wonder why your neighbor’s water tastes cleaner, smells different, or leaves fewer stains—while yours seems to have more iron, a sulfur smell, or fluctuating pressure?

You’re not alone.

It’s a common question we hear at Water Pro, and the answer isn’t always simple—but it is important.

Aquifers Aren’t All the Same
What is an aquifer? It’s the underground layer—made of sand, gravel, or rock—that holds groundwater. These natural formations store the water that wells tap into.

What is groundwater? Water that’s stored naturally underground. It comes from rain or other surface water that slowly soaks down through the soil and rock, filling up the tiny spaces between particles—kind of like water trickling through a sponge. Over time, this underground water collects in natural pockets or layers, which people can tap into for wells and other uses.

Even if you live on the same street, your home may be drawing from a different part of the aquifer—or even a different aquifer altogether. Underground water sources aren’t uniform. They shift over time, respond to rainfall, drought, and development, and carry different mineral profiles depending on depth, geology, and flow patterns.

That means your neighbor’s well might tap into water with less iron, while yours picks up more sulfur. It’s not a matter of “better” or “worse”—it’s a matter of what’s underneath your home, and how your system is set up to handle it.

Water Changes Over Time
Even if your water was great five years ago, things can change. Aquifers can migrate, recharge differently, or become more concentrated with certain minerals. Seasonal shifts, construction, and even new wells nearby can subtly affect your water quality.
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That’s why we always recommend periodic testing—not just to catch problems, but to stay ahead of changes that might affect your comfort, your plumbing, or your appliances.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All
At Water Pro, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter systems. Your water treatment setup should reflect your actual water—not your neighbor’s or a generic spec sheet.

We tailor every system to the family (or business) we’re serving. That means looking at your water chemistry, your household size, your plumbing layout, and your long-term goals. Whether it’s removing iron, neutralizing sulfur, softening minerals, or improving pressure, we build with your needs in mind.

It’s Not Just About Equipment—It’s About Trust
When customers ask, “Why is my neighbor’s water better?” it’s often a sign they’re ready to learn more. And that’s a good thing, because understanding your water is the first step toward improving it.

If you’re curious about what’s in your water, or wondering whether your system is still the right fit, we’re here to help. We’ll walk you through it, test what matters, and make sure your setup is working for you.
 
Still have questions?  Contact Water Pro today!

Understanding Resin Cleaning and When It Makes a Difference
If you’ve invested in a water softener, you’re already taking a smart step toward protecting your home from hard water. Salt plays a key role in that process—it helps regenerate the resin media that removes calcium and magnesium from your water.
But depending on your water quality, salt might not be the whole story.

What Salt Can’t Do
Salt is great at flushing out hardness minerals, but it doesn’t remove everything. In some areas—especially those with higher levels of iron, manganese, or sediment—these contaminants can build up in the resin bed over time. That buildup can reduce your softener’s efficiency and lead to issues like rust stains, odors, or sluggish performance.

What ResCare/Res-Up Does
ResCare/Res-Up is a liquid resin cleaner designed to remove the contaminants that salt alone can’t handle. It’s not required for every household—but for many, it’s a simple way to keep their softener working at its best.*

Here’s what it offers:

• Restores Efficiency
  ResCare/Res-Up dissolves mineral and organic buildup, helping your softener regenerate properly and deliver consistently soft water.
• Helps to Prevent Staining and Odors
  Iron buildup can cause reddish stains on fixtures and laundry—not to mention musty smells. ResCare/Res-Up helps eliminate these issues before they start.

• Helps to Remove Buildup on Resin Media
  Resin media works best when it’s clean. ResCare/Res-Up dissolves mineral and organic buildup.
• Safe and Certified
  ResCare/Res-Up meet NSF/ANSI/CAN Standard 60 for drinking water additives, so you can use it with confidence.
• Easy to Use
  Depending on your water quality, you can pour it directly into the brine well or use a Res-Up feeder, an automatic dispensing system. Either way, it’s a simple step with big benefits. Want to know more about the Res-Up automatic feeder? Read our blog next month where we go into more detail about the system and sizes available.

A Smart Add-On, Not a Must-Have
ResCare/Res-Up isn’t a replacement for salt—it’s a complement. For homes with higher mineral content, it’s a low-effort way to protect your softener and keep your water clean and fresh. And if you’re not sure whether it’s right for your system, we’re always happy to help you decide.

​*These products may not be compatible with all systems.
 
Still have questions? Contact Water Pro today!

Water is life—it’s something we use every single day, from making our morning coffee to running a relaxing bath after a long day. Yet, not all water sources are created equal. If you're a residential or commercial property owner of the Middle Peninsula, Hampton Roads, Northern Neck, or Richmond area, you might rely on well water or city/county water. Each has its own set of benefits and challenges, and understanding these can help you make the best choices for the water quality in your household or business. Here's what you need to know:

Source & Availability
The most fundamental difference between well water and city/county water lies in where they come from. Well water is drawn from underground aquifers through a private system owned and maintained by the homeowner/business owner. This gives you independence but also means you're solely responsible for ensuring its quality and safety.

​City/County water, on the other hand, is sourced from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs and is treated by municipal facilities. While convenient and reliable, city/county water depends on a shared infrastructure, which can sometimes be susceptible to issues like pipe corrosion or occasional boil water advisories.

Quality and Treatment
Well water's quality depends on local groundwater conditions. While many enjoy the taste of natural, untreated water, it can be prone to contaminants like bacteria, heavy metals, or nitrates. Regular testing and appropriate filtration systems are essential to ensure safety.

The EPA has enforceable standards called “maximum contaminant levels” (MCLs) for drinking water contaminants and city/county water undergoes government-mandated testing and treatment processes to remove harmful substances and add disinfectants like chlorine. However, these additives can sometimes affect taste and odor, prompting home/commercial property owners to seek additional filtration options. The EPA has also established National Secondary Drinking Water Standards that set non-mandatory water quality for 15 contaminants because they are not considered to present a risk to human health. The EPA does not enforce these National Secondary Drinking Water Standards for contaminants such as color, iron, odor, and Total Dissolved Solids. Click here for more information

​Don’t let bad water ruin your home! We have the answer to iron stains, sulfur smells, and hard water deposits. With Water Pro, you can FINALLY get rid of the rust staining on your pretty white tub, sink, and toilet and/or that nagging rotten egg odor that makes showering unbearable.  In addition, with treatment and improved water quality, your appliances will benefit from treated water because hard water minerals bind together and cause build up. This can cause them to become clogged, making them inefficient. With treated water your appliances (ice maker, dishwasher, hot water heater, washing machine, etc.) will use less energy and last longer. With conditioned water, you will use less soap and detergent in washing machines and dishwashers. Water Pro water helps prevent spotting and build up on dishes, glassware, coffeemakers, and fixtures, too! Reverse Osmosis drinking water will make your drinking water, ice cubes, and coffee/tea delicious!

Cost Considerations
When it comes to cost, well water may save you from monthly utility bills, but it does require periodic investments. You'll need to maintain equipment like pumps and potentially install filters or a water softening system to handle water issues.

City/County water users pay for their water usage through utility bills. While generally predictable, these costs can add up, especially in areas with tiered billing systems. Maintenance costs for city/county water are managed by the municipality, but this also means less control over the process.

Unique Challenges

• Well Water Challenges: Contamination risks from nearby agricultural activities, septic systems, or naturally occurring elements in the soil. Proper maintenance and annual water testing are crucial.
• City/County Water Challenges: The taste and odor of treated water can be off-putting for some. Aging infrastructure in some areas may also lead to occasional water quality concerns.

How Water Pro Can Help
As a homeowner or commercial property owner, whether you rely on well water or city/county water, Water Pro has solutions to ensure your water is clean, clear, and great-tasting. We specialize in:

• Water Testing Services: For well owners and those on city/county water, we provide comprehensive testing to detect contaminants and offer customized treatment solutions.
• Filtration Systems: We install and maintain systems to improve water quality, whether you're dealing with odor from sulfur, chlorine taste, iron (rust) staining, hardness spotting, sediment, or you just don’t like your water quality.
• Other Services: From well system maintenance to addressing city/county water concerns, our team has the expertise you can trust.

We pride ourselves on serving the residential and commercial property owners of the Middle Peninsula, Hampton Roads, Northern Neck, and Richmond areas with tailored solutions for every household’s or business’s unique water needs.

Conclusion
Your water source matters, and so does its quality. Whether you draw from a private well or rely on city/county water, proper treatment and regular maintenance are key to ensuring the health and well-being of your family and/or providing your customers with great tasting water, while protecting your home or business investment. At Water Pro, we're here to help you navigate the complexities of water management, so you can focus on enjoying fresh, clean water every day.
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Contact us today to schedule your water testing or learn more about our water filtration services.

Although we enjoy the convenience and ease of loading and unloading our dishwasher instead of standing at the sink washing and drying those dirty dishes… do you know what your dishwasher might be doing to your glassware and possibly silverware, as well?

Effects of Dishwasher Glass Etching
Cloudy Appearance or Rainbow Coloring - Etching leaves a permanent cloudy or frosted look on glassware, reducing its transparency and aesthetic appeal.

Visible Scratches - Small, irreparable scratches on the glass surface, making it look worn and damaged.

Reduced Clarity - The etched surface scatters light, diminishing the clarity and brilliance of the glass.

Causes of Dishwasher Glass Etching
Hard Water - High concentration of minerals like calcium and magnesium in hard water can cause etching. When heated, these minerals bond with the glass surface, leading to etching.

High Temperatures - Excessively high water temperatures in dishwashers can activate minerals in hard water, causing them to stick to glassware.

Strong Detergent - Harsh detergents can react with minerals in hard water, intensifying the etching process.

Improper Loading - Overloading the dishwasher or incorrect placement of glassware can lead to chipping and scratching, making the glass more susceptible to etching.

What Can YOU Do and STILL Use Your Dishwasher?
Water Softening System - Installing a water softening system can reduce the mineral content in water, preventing etching.

Lower Water Temperature - Adjusting the dishwasher’s temperature settings to a lower range can reduce the activation of minerals. The higher the temperature, the faster the etching will occur!

Mild Detergent and Rinsing Agent - Using detergents specifically formulated for glassware with low levels of phosphates can help minimize etching. (Most detergents are formulated to work with hard water. If you have softened water, you may only need to use one-half to one-quarter of the recommended dosage.) A rinsing/wetting agent will minimize any residue which may cause water spotting or aid the etching process.

Proper Loading Technique - Ensure that glassware is loaded correctly and not overcrowded which can help prevent chipping and scratching.

Regular Maintenance - Cleaning the dishwasher regularly and using dishwasher cleaner tablets can help remove mineral buildup and maintain optimal performance.
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Water Pro can assess your water quality and identify if minerals are causing the etching. Schedule an appointment for a free mineral water test! Call 804.210.5672 or click the button below. You deserve great water for a great life!

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