Re: Washing machine - waste pipe limescale

Jul 15, 2003 2 Replies
I


In the house I'm renovating, some genius has plumbed for a washing


> machine so that the waste water has to travel about 25 feet, round
> three bends, to reach the drains.
>
> As we live in a hard water area, the waste pipe has clogged up with
> lime-scale, which is difficult (read "impossible") to reach manually. >
> Be grateful for some help: in particular, is it poss to use any
> chemical to clear the limescale which won't eat through the plastic > waste pipes?

Replace the pipe and re-install with a sharper fall to the main stack. Is the end of the pipe vented? Or is a spring operated valve used and end capped off?

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C

I'd use vinegar, preferably a strong pickling vinegar, heating it before pouring it in. Or maybe a commercial kettle de-scaling product that doesn't need boiling.

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B

Taking lots of care, you can use hydrochloric acid as sold by swimming pool suppliers. Dilute from the supplied concentration to between 5 &

10%. Allow for the level to foam up and have a bucket of water handy to dilute any spills and overflows.

None of the common acids you will be able to buy will eat through PVC pipes

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