Descaling hotwater pipes

[Traveller]

The hot water system is in a desperate need of a descale, as the water round here has more limescale than H20 in it. The bath is now taking an age to fill up, and so MD domestic and nagging services has requested some remedial action . Now I wonder if someone can help with some questions on the process for descaling.

I will be using sulphamic acid for this, at a 10 % solution and would like to know if I can introduce the acidic solution directly into the immersion heater via the electric element hole, as this will save me having to pump or carry the solution into the ceiling.

What can I use to prepare the solution in, as I will be needing at least 100 litres of acidic solution to fill the immersion tank, so does anyone have a suggestion for a container/s to use in preparation of the solution ? I was thinking along the lines of a steel drum of sorts but someone might have a better idea out there.

Any suggestions on a pump to fill the immersion heater with the solution ? Bearing in mind it will be a strong acidic solution it will be pumping.

Once the solution has been used up and neutralised with an alkaline, is it okay to dispose of it down the drain ?

Any pitfalls or suggestions will be helpful. How I love DIY projects, give me a seized engine any day.

Thanks.

[garycat]

Have you considered a water softener? Wickes do one for £322 and since moving into a house that already had one fitted the difference in water has been a revelation.

If you fit one, the existing scale should dissolve over a few months.

[robinhood21]

Possibly too far gone for this to be of use, although the advert begs to differ. Clicky I have seen them installed after replacement of scaled pipework as a preventative measure though.

[Traveller]

I have looked at water softeners, but they they have a few downsides, losing a cupboard and also the increased sodium content of the water is an issue for the wife medically, so it is a no go as far as that is concerned. Would be an ideal solution.

[Simpo Two]

Traveller said:

the increased sodium content of the water is an issue for the wife medically

You keep one tap unsoftened for drinking water.

[apguy]

Simpo Two said:

Traveller said:

the increased sodium content of the water is an issue for the wife medically

You keep one tap unsoftened for drinking water.

Indeed. In fact any tap that is direct from the mains supply, rather than the cold water storage tank will be unaffected by the installation of a water softener. I'd recommend one, in sunny Suffolk the water is harder than the locals, and needs all the softening it can get

[Simpo Two]

apguy said:

Indeed. In fact any tap that is direct from the mains supply, rather than the cold water storage tank...

Hmm - wonder if you could put the water softener in the roof and save a kitchen cupboard?

[Ferg]

Simpo Two said:

Hmm - wonder if you could put the water softener in the roof and save a kitchen cupboard?

No, just no.


Assuming you have a hot water cylinder, OP, I'd guess that the bulk of the problem is scaling of the fitting in the top of the cylinder. I've often seen this 22mm hole reduced to 3-4mm by scale. Pipes don't scale very easily despite what softener companies tell you. They also think that heating pipes scale.....

[pies]

The pipes will scale worst where the heating of the water takes place

A water softener will not remove the scale already present

[Ferg]

pies said:

A water softener will not remove the scale already present

I'd challenge that. The soft water WILL remove scale. Not particularly fast, but it will.

[Simpo Two]

Ferg said:

Simpo Two said:

Hmm - wonder if you could put the water softener in the roof and save a kitchen cupboard?

No, just no.

Aw Ferg, where's your imagination man? Mains pressure up into the roof - soften - into tank, bish bosh. (I agree you'd have to go into the roof space to add salt though)

Never mind, you can tell me all the reasons why not at Lavenham

Yours ever,

Simpo the Dangerous.

[pies]

Ferg said:

pies said:

A water softener will not remove the scale already present

I'd challenge that. The soft water WILL remove scale. Not particularly fast, but it will.

Never known it do anything of useon our industrial units,it would have to drop the pH to a pretty low level to do anything of use.Typical softners only get down to pH 4.5 max considering that they are typically installed after the build up has occured things need a severe hand to cure the problem