Another water heater question (calcium deposits)

SPIKER · Jun 29, 2009

the calcium was very bad at the last place, we had an outside door to the basement so would disconnect the water heater, (Gas) and take it outside and turn it on it's side and flush with garden hose, after making sure the stuff was loosened up first. never tried the CLR/vinegar though it might work well... We used a small 1/4" NPT pipe on end of the hose and that went in through the top. while it sat on it's side with the removed drain valve opening down would have to keep moving it from the buildup of the lie/calcium would cover the hole up as it ran out...
I drain my one at our farm house spring & fall now it has rusty water but somewhat soft as there is little to no buildup ever coming out, it is electric one at the farm.
mark

Pilot · Jul 3, 2009

In Montana we had so much calcium buildup that every 3 months we had to clean out our water heater, same way you do it, with a scoop thru the bottom element hole. If we didn't clean it, by the 4th month we would lose our bottom element.

Before you try the vinegar or anything else, take a look at your shower heads and test the vinegar on them if they have any buildup--it's the same stuff. I have used various commercial chemicals as well as vinegar on our shower heads and nothing works except to use a pin and break it free while watching the boobtube in the evening.

BTW, we recently changed our 17 year old water heater. When the plumber removed it, he drained it onto the lawn. Probably half a gallon of calcium came out. Before I cleaned it up, it rained. We now have a 2 ft. diameter dead zone from the huge increase in calcium and reduction in pH, I presume.

Egon · Jul 3, 2009

I believe Phosphoric Acid does a good job of removing calcium?

Richard · Jul 5, 2009

Egon said:
I believe Phosphoric Acid does a good job of removing calcium?

If true, is that something that I could put into my 80 gal tank and let it dissolve some/most of my calcium that I could then flush out?

Will it also want to eat the skin off my body?

(I'm beginning to see the start of a very low budget horror film here

)

Egon · Jul 5, 2009

If true, is that something that I could put into my 80 gal tank and let it dissolve some/most of my calcium that I could then flush out?

It will attack you. Protective equipment would be required.

As to how well it will work I cannot say but it may be one of the ingredients in the products you see advertised for removing calcium stains and cleaning shower heads.

You must be aware that the acid may come in different concentrations and it may react with the metal of the tank.

You could check it out by using a little on some of the scale that has been knocked out of the tank.

Phosphoric acid is used as a cleaner by construction trades to remove mineral deposits, cementitious smears, and hard water stains. It is also used as a chelant in some household cleaners aimed at similar cleaning tasks.

Phosphoric acid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

J_J · Jul 5, 2009

I would first scoop out some of the calcium in the tank and put it in three or four glasses. Then add different ratios of vinegar to calcium in each glass, and wait 24 hr. If you find a ratio that works for you, estimate the volume in the tank and add vinegar, and let sit 24 hrs. You; may be able to flush it out just by turning on the cold water and flush until clear or the smell is gone.

Option two. Try a pressure washer at low psi, with bent shaft to break up the vinegar and calcium and flush out .

If it is a glass lined tank, maybe stronger chemicals would work, but be sure to rinse and flush real good.

Try not to damage the glass lining.

There is also an acid that is added to swimming pools . Can not remember the name at the moment, that might work also. FLASH, Just remember the name, it is Muriatic acid.