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Author:
Anonymous User
I have a question about possible calcium buildup. My husband and I bought our house in 2000, and have recently been experiencing some trouble with certain (but not all) hot water supply pipes in our house.
The house was built in 1995, and located in Southern Indiana (limestone capital of the world). We have a hot water heater (electrical, I believe) but no water softener on our water system in the house. We had to be out of the house for a period of three months this summer in which we cut off the water supply via the main shutoff valve within the house. Since our return in September we have been experiencing a reduction of hot water supply to our master bath. Our master bath has two sinks, a toliet and a full bathtub with a shower head. The first place we experienced a reduction in hot water was in 1 of the sinks. The second sink is still functioning properly. Within the past week (Jan '03) our shower head and bath supply has seen a reduced supply of hot water. Our second (full) bathroom has seen no reduction in supply, but sees minimal use as we only have a child under 2 years using that bath on a regular basis.
My question is whether or not this is could be buildup of calcuim (or lime even) in the pipes. I would also appreciate some solution suggestions. Is this a problem that we can try to fix without the help of a professional?
Thank you for all your help,
Penny
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Author:
Anonymous User
At the end of each faucet is an areator which screws into the faucet. Remove the areator and check to see if there is debre. The toilet I would shut the water off at the service stop and disassemble the ball cock (thing that lets the water into the tank)an see if there is debre. The showerhead also needs to be removed and checked. This is where I would start. If this does not work write back and include you what you checked.
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Author:
GSchreiber, CWS VI (MN)
If you do find debris in the aerators, put it in a bowl of vinegar. If it bubbles it is hard water scale. If it does not it is likely "Dip Tube" particles. If hard water scale installing a water softener will prevent further build up. If it is Dip Tube particles you will need to replace the Water Heater Dip Tube. You will also have to flush the water heater and hot water plumbing to eliminate those particles.
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Author:
Anonymous User
Yes, we have found debris in our aeroators. We have not yet tested them, but intend to over the weekend. Is it possible to flush out what might be blocking our hot water lines (the pipes)? If so, how would we go about doing this?
Thanks again,
Penny
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Author:
GSchreiber, CWS VI (MN)
If it is Dip Tube debris then a good flushing of the water heater and then flush the pipes by running water until they are gone. If it is Hard Water scale and you do not have a Water Softener then install a Water Softener. You will not be able to "flush out" the Hard Water scale. It will stop accumulating scale and eventually will dissolve out the accumulated scale. It will take as long to remove it as it took to accumulate. Could be a very long time.
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Author:
Anonymous User
We have found out by talking to the city (water supplier) that our problem is most likely a bad diptube. Our water hardness is 50 ppm, and pH is 8.0 - 9.0. We were told that the city uses Cl to treat the water and that it breaks down the dip tube. We also tested the debris from the aeroators and they did not bubble in vinegar.
A few questions:
1. Will every dip tube that we put into our water heater eventually fail due to the prescence of Cl? Or has this problem been fixed by the dip tube manufacturers?
2. Should we hire in this repair or is it possible to replace the dip tube on our own?
3. Should all of the blockage eventually clear from our pipes or is this a problem that a professional should take care of?
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Author:
Anonymous User
We did try to flush out the water heater and the pipes as was recommended by you. The bathtub and sink in the master bath are still experiencing the same blockage with the same magnitude.
Thanks again,
Penny
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