 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. 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! #GreatWaterGreatLife #WaterProIncCares
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 Microplastics and nanoplastics are tiny plastic particles about the diameter of a standard pencil's eraser and much smaller. They shed off of things that are made from plastic and are increasingly found in our drinking water, raising concerns about their potential health effects. These tiny particles can carry toxic chemicals and pollutants, which can be ingested and accumulate in our bodies. This can lead to various health issues, including inflammation, immune system disruption, and cancer, etc. CNN reports that we may ingest a credit card's worth of plastic in a week (article from CNN 11/02/2022) others say it isn't that much... in one week.
Well, we say ingesting ANY amount of plastic (in one week or one year), especially in your water is, quite frankly, too much! A water treatment system is one of the best ways to help curb the amount of plastic coming out of your tap. How Water Treatment Systems Can Help While most water treatment systems, such as water softeners and reverse osmosis units cannot eliminate all, they are designed to remove some microplastics and other contaminants from your drinking water. These systems provide an effective solution to help ensure that your water is cleaner and better for you. Benefits of a Water Treatment System:
The Benefits of Tap Water Over Bottled Water Bottled water often contains higher levels of microplastics and nanoplastics compared to tap water. Additionally, the production and disposal of plastic bottles contribute to environmental pollution. By using a water treatment system, you can enjoy clean tap water that’s better for you AND help protect the environment. Whether it's your health, your home, or your appliances a water treatment system is one of the best ways to help ensure that you're doing the best for YOU and YOUR family. Enjoy all the benefits of Water Pro water! For more information on how you can have great water or to schedule an appointment for a free water test on your existing tap water, call 804.693.7294 or click the button below or send an email to [email protected]  Here are some common places or ways you might notice sand or sediment in your water supply at home:
These signs help you identify and address sediment issues in your water supply, ensuring better water quality and protecting your plumbing system: Cloudy or Dirty Water: One of the most noticeable signs is water that appears cloudy or dirty due to suspended sediment particles like sand, grit, gravel, and dirt. Reduced Water Flow: Sediment can clog pipes and fixtures, leading to a noticeable reduction in water flow. Frequent Clogging of Fixtures: Faucets (aerators), showerheads, and other fixtures may frequently clog due to sediment buildup. Sand or Sediment in Toilet Tanks: Sand or sediment can settle at the bottom of toilet tanks, making it visible when you lift the lid. Gritty Texture in Water: You might feel a gritty texture when washing your hands or dishes, indicating the presence of sand or sediment. Visible Sand or Sediment in Containers: Sand or sediment can settle at the bottom of glasses, buckets, or other containers after the water has been sitting for a while. Water Heater Issues: Sediment can accumulate in water heaters, causing noises, reduced efficiency, and potential damage. Washing Machine Issues: Sediment can accumulate in washing machine inlet filters and may frequently clog, reducing water flow into the machine; clothes might come out with a gritty texture or visible particles of sand or sediment; machine might make grinding or rattling noises as sediment particles move through the system; increased need for maintenance or repairs due to sediment damaging internal components like the pump or motor. Sand or Sediment in the Bottom of Water Filter Housing: Sand or sediment can settle at the bottom of water filter housings and can quickly clog filters, reducing their efficiency and requiring more frequent replacements; accumulation of sediment can restrict water flow, leading to lower water pressure throughout your home; sediment can provide a breeding ground for bacteria potentially leading to health issues. Dishwasher Issues: Sediment can clog the dishwasher’s filters and spray arms, reducing their effectiveness and leading to poor cleaning performance; gritty texture or visible particles of sand or sediment on your dishes after a wash cycle; grinding or rattling noises as sediment particles move through the system; increased need for maintenance or repairs due to sediment damaging internal components like the pump or motor. Ice Maker Issues: Sediment can clog the ice maker’s water filter more frequently, reducing it’s efficiency and requiring more frequent replacement; ice cubes might appear cloudy or have visible particles of sand or sediment inside them; sediment can restrict water flow, leading to reduced ice production or smaller ice cubes; ice maker might make unusual grinding or rattling noises as sediment particles move through the system; you might notice a gritty residue in the ice bin or on the ice itself. Well Water Issues: If your home uses well water, sand or sediment might be pumped directly from the well. If this is a new issue in your home, this could indicate a problem with your well system. Naturally, a little sand never hurt anybody, right? Wrong. Over time, sand and sediment in your water can cause serious issues of deteriorating your fixtures and appliances and will also decrease your water pressure. Additionally, the sand and sediment may cause pipes and aerators to clog up and could result in water pressure loss in your home. The fixtures in your home, including your sink faucets and shower heads, as well as your washing machine, dishwasher, hot water heater, etc. will wear out ahead of time and could cost you thousands of dollars. What can YOU do if you have sand or sediment in your water? A sandtrap is a unique way to separate and trap heavier sand and particles to prevent them from getting into your home. Implementing a sandtrap is a proactive step to protect your plumbing system and ensure the longevity and efficiency of your household appliances. 5 Benefits of Using a Sandtrap:
Email us today or call us at (804) 693-7294 if you'd like to set up an appointment for a FREE water analysis test if you don't like the water from your faucet or think you may have sand/sediment issues. We can provide you and your family with a sandtrap unit that will help remove sand and sediment from your water. (Source: AI generated. Microsoft Copilot. Accessed 2024-10-23)  Fall is the season of colorful leaves, pumpkin spice and hearty harvests. It's also considered the favorite season for 41% of U.S adults, according to Morning Consult Data! But those falling leaves could significantly impact your water quality, whether you have a well or get your water from a local municipality. As leaves decompose, they emit and deposit nitrogen and phosphorus into the water supply. These extra minerals are great for algae and help it to grow much more rapidly. This algae then leaves bacteria in the water and reduces the oxygen levels. The challenge here then becomes filtering out the excess algae and bacteria.
For those on city water, most municipalities may find that this is an incredibly costly and intense process, which in turn means more algae and bacteria may get through than would be ideal. For those on well water, ensure you are keeping the area around your well clear of large piles of leaves and staying up to date with your maintenance. Whether you are on city water or well water, the real answer to this problem is to ensure you are taking the steps to protect you and your family. You can have peace of mind by installing filtration systems designed to combat all the unwanted organisms that have the potential to live in your water! A whole-house water treatment system is the best way to ensure cleaner, safer water any time you turn on the tap. Read more about the 3 Ways a Whole-House Water Treatment System Helps You. Call us today at 804.693.7294 or contact us to find out more.  Fresh produce, whether fruits or vegetables, have an amazing and succulent taste! However, due to various contaminants all around us (pesticides in the soil, on the plants, in our groundwater and air, etc.) it’s important to wash ALL produce (even organic) before eating. Unless you know the actual source and how far the produce has traveled, long gone are the days of picking and eating on the spot. Tap water contains numerous minerals along with contaminants and sometimes even chlorine and other additives. Occasionally, tap water even has a rotten egg smell and isn’t clear. Who wants to wash their produce (or brush their teeth for that matter) with stinky or unclear water? Water filtration is a process that removes various minerals and contaminants from the water and has many benefits to you that include your health, your home, and your appliances. And, rinsing produce with filtered water is great for YOUR health. Why wash fruits and vegetables with filtered water?
A healthy diet of fruits and vegetables freshly washed with filtered water and drinking a big glass of filtered water does a body good! Speaking of fruits and vegetables… curious about what’s in season in Virginia? Click the link below for the Virginia Grown Fruit and Vegetable Availability Calendar. https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/producechart.pdf You deserve to enjoy all the benefits of Water Pro water! For more information on a water treatment system that provides clean and great tasting water or to schedule an appointment for a free water test on your existing tap water, call 804.693.7294 or click the button below or send an email to [email protected] Don't miss our blog below to learn about the important ways that a whole-house water treatment system helps you, your family, AND your home!
 Sure, a whole-house water treatment system can fix the rust staining, the smell of the water, and even make the water taste better. But did you know about the important three ways that the system REALLY helps you?
1) Your Health: At Water Pro, we know you want what's best for you and your family. Our systems provide clean drinking water which will not only make you feel better about the water you're using, but will also help to save you money. With Water Pro water your skin will stay naturally smooth and your hair will feel silky clean. Whether you're on well or county water, our certified filtered water systems remove contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, disinfection by-products, lead, arsenic, and many others. Installing a water filtration system that has been specifically built for your home or business can ensure peace of mind. 2) Your Home: With untreated water, you may be having concerns about contaminants or noticing embarrassing stains and odors throughout your home. Using a whole house water filtration system will ensure you protect the investment you've made in your home. Hard water scaling can build up in your pipes and fixtures. This can cause a reduction in water pressure throughout your home, especially noticeable in the shower. Whatever your concerns are, our Water Pro Specialists take the time to test your water and design systems that will meet your specific water needs. 3) Your Appliances: 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 will use less energy and last longer. With conditioned water, you will use less soap and detergent and your clothes will feel softer, last longer, and retain color. Water Pro water helps prevent spotting and build up on dishes, glassware, coffeemakers, and fixtures. Reverse Osmosis water will make your drinking water, ice cubes, and coffee delicious. Enjoy all the benefits of Water Pro water! For more information on how you can have great water or to schedule an appointment for a free water test on your existing tap water, call 804.693.7294 or click the button below or send an email to [email protected]  You may have heard that hard water negatively impacts your health, your home, and your appliances, but did you know that hard water can ALSO wreck a vehicle’s paint job!?!
Hard water is a major cause of water spots because it contains minerals such as magnesium and calcium. When water evaporates, it leaves mineral deposits that can etch into the paint/surface, causing damage. This type of hard water damage is exactly what happens to your glasses and dishware in your home! For many car buffs, they don’t want to see even one water spot on their car! Hardness minerals in hard water react with soap to form scum or curd, instead of lather, which reduces cleaning effectiveness. This not only wastes soap and detergents but you end up using more product and spending more money to attempt to get the desired result. And, you end up spending more time trying to remove dirt, streaks, and water spots! Don’t treat her like a jalopy. With softened water or a reverse osmosis water system, you’ll use great water AND less soap while keeping your precious gem on wheels bright and shiny! And, you’ll have more fun admiring how good she looks! Whether you’re prepping your baby or classic for the next car show or for a Sunday drive, make sure you wash her and primp her with GREAT water! If you're ready to make a change, let us know. For more information on how you can have great water or to schedule an appointment for a free water test on your existing tap water, call 804.693.7294 or click the button below or send an email to [email protected]  If you're not sure when you checked your salt tank last, it could be time to add more salt. But before you do, you need to know that it’s important to use correct salt in your brine tank AND the tank should be cleaned periodically.
If you’re using ordinary pellets or block salt you run the risk of problems with your brine tank; a key component to providing your family with great tasting water. Why does the type of salt matter? Pellets are more likely to cause bridging in your brine (salt) tank. Bridging is a packed solid layer of salt that spans across the width of the brine tank and does not allow the salt level to drop. So, you may look into your brine tank and think you have plenty of salt, but the salt is actually raised above the water level and is not going into the system when it regenerates. This means your system is trying to clean itself without cleaner. Our salt is a professional brand of salt and it's cleaner than most other brands. What makes our green bags of salt even more special? They aren't pellets. They are solar salt composition but still have the rust remover additive. Not only do you get a better value for your money, but you're using the best product for your system! Additionally, your brine tank should be dumped and cleaned at least annually. Here are a few questions to consider:
Too busy or not sure how to clean the tank yourself? You'll need to let the salt run down so the brine tank is a maximum of 1 foot full and then give us a call to come out and clean the tank. We can even bring more salt or you can have your own salt available when we come to clean and we can add it for you. Proper salt AND brine tank cleaning is recommended to make sure that your system is working properly while providing you and your family with great water. For more information on your salt or brine tank or to schedule an appointment for a brine tank cleaning, call 804.693.7294 or click the button below.  You did it! As a runner, you know how important your equipment is, right? Comfortable clothes and great fitting shoes. And, you put a lot of work into prepping and sweating for that 5K run! But have you considered that your water is also a key component to your success?
How so? Well, running and sweating increase the amount of fluid we need. Hence, you’re thirsty and you take a drink of water. Proper hydration is important, especially for runners, since without good water combined with heavy sweating you’ll become fatigued sooner and risk dehydration. Have you also considered that the type of water you drink might also make a difference to avoid headache, rapid heartbeat, dehydration, and fatigue? Should you drink any kind of water? The simple answer is no. Should you drink bottled water or water that’s good for you? While bottled water may be 'convenient' and 'easy to grab on the go' for your run, kind of like fast food, that doesn't mean it's good for you. If you're reading this article, you're probably pretty health conscious. I mean, you’re prepping for a 5K! And, you want to do what is best for you to win that race, help your family, and help the environment. With that being said, buying a case or two of 24 or 36 plastic bottles filled with 'water' on a regular basis really doesn't help you win that race. Nor does it help your family or the environment. Besides, do you really want to drink manufactured water from a plastic bottle even though you’re training so hard? What's the alternative? Great tasting water from your tap, of course! Stainless steel (food-grade) water containers are safer to drink from and aren't thrown away after one use like traditional one-time use plastic bottles. You can fill them at your RO (reverse osmosis) faucet with fresh, great tasting water. And you can even add fresh fruit or vegetables for more vitamins, taste or as a special treat! In addition, the stainless steel water bottle is a win-win for keeping beverages hot or cold for several hours. Why stop buying bottled water? Cost - Filling water containers from your tap costs pennies compared to buying plastic water bottles Hassle - No more lugging cases of plastic bottles from the store to the car to into your home Health - Drinking water from plastic bottles isn't good for your body Quality - You'll actually know where the water comes from Contamination - Plastic bottles exposed to extreme heat (sitting in the sun or heated vehicle) are not good for your body Regulation - You're in control of what is in your water Environment - The less plastic, the better for all of us If you're ready to make a change and drink water that's good for you while you’re out running, let us know. For more information on how you can have great water for your runs or to schedule an appointment for a free water test on your existing tap water, call 804.693.7294 or click the button below.  When people have really high pH they’ll say that their water feels slimy. Kind of like a snail! Even those with soft water but high-alkalinity tell us their water feels slimy.
This is different than the slippery feeling that people talk about with soft water. Many of our customers in the Northern Neck and Saluda areas find adding a dealkalizer solves their water issue. What is a dealkalizer? A dealkalizer system for your water removes carbonate ions by exchanging them with chloride ions by passing over an anionic resin bed. What is dealkalization? Dealkalization of water refers to the removal of alkalinity ions from water and lowers the alkalinity before it comes out of your tap. Chloride cycle anion ion-exchange dealkalizers remove alkalinity from water. These chloride cycle dealkalizers operate similar to sodium cycle cation water softeners. What’s the difference between a dealkalizer and a water softener? A dealkalizer mainly focuses on eliminating carbonate and bicarbonate ions to reduce alkalinity while reducing the slimy feeling, bitter taste, scaling and corrosion. A softener mainly focuses on calcium and magnesium ions (hardness minerals) while reducing spotty dishes, scratchy clothes, itchy skin, and scale buildup in plumbing and appliances. How do I know if my water is high in alkalinity? Your water may feel slimy and/or have a bitter or soapy taste. For more information on a dealkalizer or to schedule a dealkalizer appointment, call 804.693.7294 or click the button below. |
AuthorWater Pro Inc. is veteran owned and locally operated in Gloucester, Virginia. We specialize in water treatment, well repairs, and plumbing for residential and commercial properties. Water Pro is proud to serve all of the Middle Peninsula, Hampton Roads, Northern Neck, and Richmond areas of Virginia. Since 2001, Water Pro has continued to build a solid reputation for integrity and good business practice within the community. We install and maintain water purification and filtration systems that are superior in quality and efficiency. Archives
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