Lime/calcification

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Lime/calcification

Author: BondGirl (NY)

We have a well and no water softener at our house. We have been having water pressure problems for some time now and will most likely need to have a new well dug and will be installing a water softener. I have recently gone through the entire house and took all the aerators off and cleaned lime residue from all of them and the shower head as well. I periodically have to take the cold water intake hose off the washer and clean residue out. Now I have no cold water flowing into the washer. It has a dual valve fitting for water intake. No problem with hot water, just cold. I want to replace the dual valve with separate hot/cold valves but in the meantime how do I clean out the cold water valve? Copper pipes.
I am 100% positive it is clogged with lime residue.

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Re: Lime/calcification
Author: steve (CA) Have you checked to see if the supply hose has a screen built into the rubber washer? Checked the washing machine inlet screen?
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Re: Lime/calcification
Author: packy (MA) post a picture of which style valve you have. there are a few different ones out there.
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Re: Lime/calcification
Author: BondGirl (NY) Yes, did all that. There is no cold water coming out I removed the cold water hose and turned the valve on. Only hot water comes out of the valve.
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Re: Lime/calcification
Author: BondGirl (NY) Sorry, having trouble loading pictures
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Re: Lime/calcification

Author: bruceb3 (MI)

Do what Steve said. Be sure to disconnect both ends of the hose. Either end could have a screen. What's weird is, it's usually the hot side that gets clogged. Cold copper lines usually wont get clogged. Could be a defective dual valve? If that's the only place that has issues, I would bet it's the hose or the valve.
I've also seen hoses with built-in "leak detection" valves that have to be reset sometimes. Just a thought.

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Re: Lime/calcification
Author: Curly (CA) Is this the type of washing machine valve you have ? [www.plumbingsupply.com] Generally this type of valve is fairly easy to replace. I would suggest you have a replacement on hand before taking it off because there are a couple O-rings that could be damaged. You want to get the same brand for the replacement. Watts is a popular brand of this type of valve.
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Re: Lime/calcification
Author: bernabeu (SC) simply unscrew the two big silver screws on top and the entire valve assembly 'lifts off' for cleaning / servicing / replacement but you may/will need new 'o' rings ============================================== "Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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