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View Full Version : Hard water deposits clogging our lines


praughta
May 12, 2008, 06:28 PM
Every time we shut off the main water line to work on our water lines we get hard water deposits flooding our lines and clogging. We replaced our floor around the toilet, but there is so much deposit that it is now clogging our lines and neither of our toilets now work (we put new parts in the tank), our cold water doesn't work in one bathroom faucet nor shower but works in the kitchen and other bathroom. Do we need to replace all piping? (we have pcv lines):(

ballengerb1
May 12, 2008, 07:45 PM
Are you pipes galvanized or copper and roughly how old. Have you considered installing a water softner?

praughta
May 13, 2008, 04:23 AM
Well my pipes are pvc pipes. They are 20 yrs old.

speedball1
May 13, 2008, 04:57 AM
I'm assuming that you're on a well. A whole house filter located on the water service is needed here. This will trap the particles before they can enter your house system. Any Idea what is is that's clogging your system? Regards, Tom

praughta
May 13, 2008, 05:12 AM
Hi Tom-
Oh yeah I def. have an idea on what it is. Hard water deposits! It looks and feels like crushed shells, dirty white-yellowish. I have had to clean our screens on the cold water pipe leading to washer, the screens and faucet spout in kitchen, now our toilets do not work properly nor does the cold water in one shower and one faucet(same bathroom as the improperly working shower). The hot water works great! After reading an answer you gave to another member, which is flushing the water heater, my husband and I have decided that is what we will do along with taking the faucets off , and shower head to clean them on the inside. However, we are not sure about the toilets. One toilet over flows from the tank, and the other toilet tank won't fill up. We would like to be able to flush our lines, however, since they are PVC pipes, we cannot use an air compressor, but have heard of using the water hose to do so but how do you do that? Honestly, we are at our wits end.

KISS
May 13, 2008, 08:27 AM
Tom already told you how to flush the lines in the toilet. The coffee can trick.

Tom already told you that you need a whole house filter.

In the long run your probably going to need a water softening system. Be sure to have your water tested for iron before selecting a system.

In the meantime, your going to have to get the particulates out.

ballengerb1
May 13, 2008, 12:14 PM
The ballcocks in the toilets are collecting those same particle you describe you find in your screens and aerators. Most ballcock valves can be disassembled and cleaned. Do you know what type of ballcock you have, maybe a picture or brand. Gray fluidmaster is fairly popular, do they look like this? Troubleshooting a Fluidmaster Ballcock (http://www.toiletology.com/troubles.shtml)

KISS
May 13, 2008, 01:50 PM
praughta:

And where was a water softener suggested? That was new information. That's the primary reason for the response.

bushg
May 25, 2008, 02:34 PM
Keepitsimplestupid... lol I would say the above disagree had something to do with your name.