How to Remove Hard-Water Stains from Sprinklers on Brick, Glass and Siding
Sprinklers that hit the house leave arcs of white mineral scale or orange iron staining on brick, glass and siding. The longer they build up, the harder they are to remove.
White vs. orange
White, chalky spots are calcium and magnesium. Orange or brown staining is iron. Each needs a different cleaner, and using the wrong one does nothing.
Glass is the hardest
Mineral deposits left on glass for years can etch into the surface. Fresh spots come off with a mild acid glass cleaner; etched glass may need restoration or can't be fully cleared.
Fix the source
Adjust or replace heads that hit the house, and water early in the morning. Fixing the spray pattern is cheaper than removing stains every year.
What you can try yourself
- Adjust sprinkler heads first.
- Use a masonry cleaner for white scale on brick, or a rust remover for orange stains, following labels.
- On glass, use a hard-water spot remover and a non-scratch pad.
What to avoid
- Acid cleaners on natural stone or near aluminum frames without testing.
- Scouring pads on glass.
When to call a professional
Stains across a whole side of the house, or on second-story windows, are best handled professionally with the right chemistry for each surface. See our window cleaning service.
What customers say
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"The guys did a thorough job cleaning my windows. When it wasn’t perfect the first time, they returned and made the windows spotless."
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