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    mi_smiley2000's Avatar
    mi_smiley2000 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Apr 11, 2007, 06:34 AM
    What chemical to use for calcium buildup in toilet pipes specifically urinals
    I need to know what chemical will help dissolve calcium deposits from urinal pipes that are in the wall. Here's the story. I work at in a large industrial setting as a janitor and we have the "less famous" waterless urinals and we're finding when we change the "filters" that there is calcium build up causing the urinal to overflow. The pipes in the wall are pvc and there is no clean out pipes.
    Any help will be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks
    Mi_smiley
    iAMfromHuntersBar's Avatar
    iAMfromHuntersBar Posts: 943, Reputation: 146
    Senior Member
    		  
    #2

    Apr 11, 2007, 06:38 AM
    What diameter are the pipes and is the calcium on the inside or out?

    Toilet roll soaked in white vinegar dissolves almost any type of scale, it's legend, but you need to leave it to soak on the area to be cleaned.

    Or you could try oven cleaner?
    doug238's Avatar
    doug238 Posts: 1,560, Reputation: 62
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    #3

    Apr 11, 2007, 07:01 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by iAMfromHuntersBar
    What diameter are the pipes and is the calcium on the inside or out?

    Toilet roll soaked in white vinegar dissolves almost any type of scale, it's legend, but you need to leave it to soak on the area to be cleaned.

    Or you could try oven cleaner?!

    The calcium is inside the pipe going out to the sewer pipes. I think we'd need something in a liquid form to pour down the drain after the waterless urinal filter is taken out. Any suggestions?

    It is not calcium, it is urinary salt. We use muratic acid on regular urinals but I would seek advice from the manufacturer before I added chemicals to a mechanical drain. Hate to see yeah have to replace them because yeah added stuff that hurt.
    The fumes can hurt, use precaution.

    Quote Originally Posted by doug238
    it is not calcium, it is urinary salt. We use muratic acid on regular urinals but I would seek advice from the manufacturer before I added chemicals to a mechanical drain. Hate to see yeah have to replace them because yeah added stuff that hurt.
    The fumes can hurt, use precaution.

    The drain isn't mechanical. The waterless urinals are flushed with collect rain water. Is the muratic acid safe for the environment. I ask because I work at a environment safe factory.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    Apr 13, 2007, 03:29 PM
    I can not advise against using muratic acid, or any acid, in a enclosed area such as a rest room strongly enough. As a young boy I would take limed up toilet bowls out in the alley behind the shop and boil the lime out of them. Over half a century later my lungs still carry the scar tissue that the acid fumes caused. A few years ago I lost a good friend when he used a commercial drain cleaner containing sulfuric acid in a unvented bathroom. Acid IS NOT A GOOD IDEA to use to clear mineral buildup. Take it from one who's paid the price. Regards, Tom
    nbplumbing's Avatar
    nbplumbing Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Aug 19, 2010, 09:13 AM
    Try Free Flow, it works great www.nbpproducts.com
    afaroo's Avatar
    afaroo Posts: 4,006, Reputation: 251
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #6

    Aug 19, 2010, 09:40 AM

    Hello Nbplumbing,

    You are responding to a 3 1/2 years old thread, Thanks.

    John
    jdmdoug's Avatar
    jdmdoug Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Oct 2, 2010, 08:12 AM
    -- Preventative maintenance seems to be the best way when it comes to urinals. Organic sludge, hard water deposites, and salt are the main cloggers. Organic things such as spit, mucas, food, and other wastes breed, thus expand to clog things. Hard water lime builds up on inner walls, thus contracts to clog things. Salt is a mineral, thus works in the same way as hard water deposites. Humans eat allot of salt which comes out in our urine, therefore proper water flow is a must, but bleach or chlorine disolves the organic muck, and acts like a teflon coating to keep minerals from sticking, thus a simple Para Urinal Block [paradichlorabenzene] will do wonders to prevent clogging. Once clogged replacement is the easiest solution, but one can remove the urinal to a properly ventilated area. Put rubber glove on hands. Carefully scrape out visible deposites. Install plug in back of urinal. Add muratic acid to front. Tilt urinal to fill trap and void in rear. Then let it boil out. Repeat boiling until urinal clean. As for wall pipes. Snake seems to be best and safest route.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #8

    Oct 2, 2010, 08:38 AM

    John's trying to tell you guys that you're both responding to a dead thread
    CamOnderisin's Avatar
    CamOnderisin Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #9

    Apr 23, 2011, 07:25 AM
    Go to your local Plumbing Wholesaler and buy Javelin Urinal Drain treatment. JL1010
    Www.javelindrainproducts.com
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #10

    Apr 23, 2011, 09:47 AM

    CamOnderisin: you are responding to 4 (four) years old thread.
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