WATER IS VITAL TO ANY CAR WASH
Water is the lifeblood of your car wash business. The role it plays cannot be understated as it is what will determine the effectiveness of your cleaning capabilities.
Without reliable, high-quality water, running a successful car wash is close to being an impossible task.
WATER CLEANS, CHEMICALS ONLY HELP
One may think that the chemicals used in car wash do the cleaning legwork, and while they surely play an important role, the water they are used within is the difference maker.
Water is the universal solvent that carries the chemicals that are used to tackle the intended car wash process.
Understanding the role water plays in your cleaning can help illustrate the importance of ensuring it’s clean and ready to be used in car washing.
WHAT IS HARD WATER?
Understanding water quality starts with learning about hard water. Hard water is water that contains a high amount of dissolved minerals. These minerals commonly include magnesium and calcium, but iron can play a role in it as well.
The lower the amount of minerals and particles in the water, the more ‘soft’ the water becomes. Ultimately, soft water is what car wash businesses will want to use in their operations.
The presence of these minerals in hard water means it binds to the chemicals used in car washing. This makes your chemicals less effective at cleaning and can lead to significant problems with your car wash business.
It can also cause corrosion and build-up in your equipment, leading to repairs and replacements.
HARD WATER RATINGS
Hard water is characterized by the particles in water and is measured through Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) using Grains Per Gallon (GPG) or Parts Per Million (PPM). TDS refers to anything that is dissolved in that water, including iron, magnesium or calcium.
The ‘hardness’ of your water can range and is often referred to as ‘Very Hard’, ‘Hard’, ‘Medium Hard’, and ‘Soft’. This will depend on how high the GPG or PPM amounts are, obviously the lower your TDS the better your water quality is.
WHAT CAUSES HARD WATER?
Hard water is created when the water passes through deposits of limestone, chalk or gypsum. As the water passes through these surfaces, minerals are picked up and dissolved in the process.
EFFECTS OF HARD WATER
The effects of hard water can be very damaging for lots of purposes and industries, and that is no different for car washes.
CAR WASH CHEMISTRY
Hard water works to neutralize ingredients found in car wash chemicals, which inhibits them from doing the job they’re intended to do. This occurs as the chemicals work to ‘clean’ the water before they can begin cleaning the vehicle as intended.
It should be noted that some chemicals are designed and formulated to work in hard water environments, but these options will often not deliver the same result you will find when using soft water.
CAR WASH EQUIPMENT
Hard water can leave build-up and residue in your car wash equipment which can create many problems.
Blockages are the most common issue that equipment will face as the mineral deposits stop water from going through easily. Blockages can lead to worse issues such as breaks or leaks that will need to be repaired or replaced.
WATER SPOTS
Hard water can also impact how the cars you clean look after they dry. Hard water once dried and evaporated can leave visible water spots that are mineral particles that remain on the surface.
HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE HARD WATER?
There are many different ways to tell if you have hard water ranging from visual clues, location, and having your water tested.
VISUAL CLUES
When hard water dries (and evaporates), it often leaves a white residue as the calcium and magnesium particles remain on the surface. You may see this residue on vehicles you clean, piping, faucets, or other equipment that comes into contact with water.
LOCATION
Hard water often varies by location, some areas are much more susceptible to hard water than other areas. The hardness level can differ by location as well.
Using a hard water map can show if you’re typically in a location that faces hard water and how hard that water may be.
WATER TESTING
In water testing, a water sample is collected, and it is read for its GPG or PPM rating to see where it falls on the hard water scale.
As this is measuring the particles in your water, this is by far the most accurate method in determining if you have hard water or not.
WHAT IS SOFT WATER?
Soft water is essentially the opposite of hard water. It has a low amount of dissolved minerals, usually below 1 GPG but can be as high as 3.5 GPG.
This type of water is desired as it does not contain the number of particles that will bind to your car wash chemicals and leave those water spots after the vehicle has dried.
Using soft water will help you get more out of your car wash chemicals and make sure that surfaces are cleaned effectively.
SOLUTIONS TO HARD WATER
Car washes are highly encouraged to soften their water if they do have hard water. This can be done through two main methods:
WATER SOFTENERS
Water softeners work by pulling out the calcium and magnesium particles and replacing them with sodium and are typically the affordable option as far as tackling hard water goes.
In a softener system, hard water passes through a process of ion exchange resins, a bypass, and a regeneration system where the ion exchange can take place.
Salt replaces magnesium and calcium as it is much less reactive with car wash chemicals, which solves the problem at hand.
However, since the particle amounts may not change much, the PPM of water after going through a water softener may be similar to what it was before. And while that will mean better chemical applications, you may still have an issue with water spots as the sodium can dry on the surface of a vehicle as the water evaporates.
REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO) SYSTEM
Reverse osmosis systems are the recommended option for hard water challenges for any car wash. This is the case as they do an exceptional job at softening water and giving you the ability to wash cars that will look clean, but also dry clear.
An RO system works by passing hard water through a semi-permeable membrane that filters out the calcium and magnesium particles, leaving behind soft water with lower levels of PPM than when it first entered the system.
RO systems are the only way to filter out the minerals from water, instead of replacing them like in a softener system.
This is a more expensive option, but it will ensure full functionality of your car wash chemicals, give you that ‘spot-free rinse‘ (no water spots), and not interfere with your equipment.
UNDERSTANDING WATER QUALITY IN CAR WASHES
Car wash owners should be aware of the role water quality plays in getting fantastic cleaning results with chemicals. It’s crucial to have a good understanding of water hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), and pH levels. These factors affect overall car wash performance and water supply quality. Let’s take a closer look at these components and how to manage them.
WATER HARDNESS AND TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS)
Water hardness is determined by its calcium and magnesium content, measured in grains per gallon (GPG). Hard water poses challenges for car washes, as it hampers the performance of chemicals and leaves spots on vehicle surfaces. A reverse osmosis process can filter and reduce TDS, allowing for a spot-free rinse. The various levels of TDS in water sources – from spot-free (0-20 PPM) to poor quality (600 PPM+) – can significantly impact car wash processes, requiring different treatments and techniques for optimal results.
MANAGING PH LEVELS
The pH of a car wash’s water source also plays a crucial role in chemical effectiveness. Ideally, water should have a neutral pH (7), as untreated source water is often on the alkaline side, limiting the effectiveness of low-pH products. If you encounter issues balancing pH levels, using a pH test strip can help you confirm water pH and adjust accordingly.
RECLAIM WATER SYSTEMS IN CAR WASHES
Reusing water is a growing trend in the car wash industry, aimed at conserving water resources and minimizing environmental impact. Reclaim water systems treat and recycle the water collected from car wash processes for reuse. However, treatment methods and filtration processes can leave some trace elements in the water that may have adverse effects on detergent and drying chemicals. Let’s discuss the impact of reclaim water on water quality and how to optimize its use in car wash applications.
EFFECT OF RECLAIM WATER ON WATER QUALITY
Reclaim water systems utilize various treatment methods, such as bio-reactive bacteria, which break down chemicals, and ozone to purify and remove particulates. However, they can’t entirely remove all solubilized chemicals from the water. The remaining trace elements, measured as TDS, can influence the effectiveness of detergents and drying products, causing unexpected reactions when compared to using a freshwater source. To mitigate these issues, car wash operators are advised to use reclaimed water only for rinsing applications without chemical introduction.
OPTIMIZING RECLAIM WATER IN CAR WASHES
To optimize the use of reclaimed water, car wash owners should regularly monitor TDS and pH levels to maintain chemical performance and water quality. Combining water reclamation systems with thorough filtration and treatment methods will ensure that the recycled water is as high quality as possible. Additionally, proper maintenance and regular testing of water softeners are crucial for consistent results and success in the car wash process.
CONCERNS WITH YOUR WATER QUALITY? CONTACT TURTLE WAX PRO AND TRANSCHEM
With decades of experience supporting car washes, we’re not strangers when it comes to water and its challenges, especially hard water related.
Water is one of the most important factors for any wash business and you will want to be sure to tackle your water situation in the best manner possible.
Whether that means choosing between a water softener or RO system, finding the right car wash chemistry, or even just picking a new wash location, we’re here to help you make the right decision for you and your business.
