If flushing your water lines and
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
Pour a ½ cup of regular household baking soda into the drain, then add a ½ cup white vinegar. Cover the drain if you can. Let the mixture stand in the drain for several minutes. Next, to remove grease and debris in your pipes, pour five or six cups of boiling water into the drain.
It's always a good idea to take care of your plumbing before a problem happens because a plumbing problem can turn into an emergency very quickly. You should have your plumbing pipes cleaned every 18 to 22 months or so.
An enzymatic or bacterial drain cleaner works best. It's best to pour this down your drain and leave it overnight in order to dissolve organic material. Biological cleaners are slower to work, but far safer for you, your plumbing, and the local environment when compared to chemical cleaners.
Using a combination of plain vinegar and baking soda is a popular, natural solution for breaking up calcium deposits in pipes. Mix a few gallons of vinegar and a few cups of baking soda to create a homemade drain cleaner.
The Natural “How”
Use one part white vinegar to 3 parts water. Dismantle removable parts and put to soak in vinegar solution. Use a toothbrush or other soft bristle to scrub calcium away. For the main fixtures, soak a soft cloth with the solution, then wipe the fixture to remove any flaking.
OPEN HOT WATER TAPS AROUND THE HOUSE UNTIL YOU SMELL VINEGAR. After, close off the water taps and let it sit for at least 6 hours. During that time, the vinegar will hopefully eat away at the scale within your pipes as well as the scale at the bottom of your water heater.
Along with gravity, this pressure helps remove unwanted goop out of the pipes and unclogs drains. Baking soda, vinegar and boiling water can help clean drains naturally, but you may need something stronger, like Liquid-Plumr, to fully unclog those really tough drain clogs.
Here's how to do it:
Gently shake to cover most areas of the pipe. Pour alcohol or vinegar solution, then seal the bag/container. Soak for 30 minutes minimum (longer for frequently used pieces). After the soak is complete, shake well, then scrub where needed with a cotton tip or brush.
If you have exposed pipes (for example, in a basement ceiling), you can remove small spots of external corrosion yourself. Make a paste of equal parts white vinegar, baking soda, and salt and apply it to the corrosion. Ten minutes later, wipe away the paste. Most, if not all the corrosion will also be wiped away.
When you mix baking soda and vinegar, the resulting chemical reaction produces carbon dioxide gas. This gas can build up inside your pipes, causing pressure to build and potentially leading to cracks or leaks in older pipes.
Hard water is rough on your plumbing. It leaves ugly buildup on fixtures and stains in sinks and tubs. It affects the inside of your plumbing system by creating buildup in the pipes that can decrease water pressure and lead to the formation of clogs.
Is it Possible to Remove a Buildup of Calcium in Pipes? Unfortunately, the only fast and safe way to fix a clogged pipe is to replace it. No state or federal institution will allow a licensed plumber to pour a CLR drain cleaning solution into a pipe that is used for your drinking water.
What is “limescale” and how does it get into my water? Limescale is that white, chalky residue left behind by dissolved minerals (mostly calcium and magnesium) in your water. The higher the concentration of minerals in your water, the “harder” your water.
Besides these, the evidence that confirms hard water running through your plumbing system is white scaly deposits on the inside of your pipes. Your faucets and showerheads will also show bear a thin layer of white deposit.
And once the underlying steel is exposed, hard water can corrode it quickly... then build up limescale on the pitted surfaces. It may take years for limescale buildup to cause noticeable problems, but, if you have hard water and galvanized pipe, it may have been accumulating for many years, even decades.
Common Problems
Hard water can be problematic because it reacts with cleaning products, creates soap buildup, and can wear down fixtures and appliances more quickly than soft water. The minerals in hard water react with soap to create soap scum, inhibiting suds.
Water Sounds—When pipe damage lets air in, your water may make gurgling or bubbling noises. Unusual Colors—Brownish water coloring is often a sign that your pipe is corroded and damaged. Foul Smells—Sewage-like smells coming from your faucet, showers, or sinks often indicate an issue with your water mainline.
If you suspect a grease clog, a mixture of very hot water and vinegar can also help melt and remove the grease that's blocking the pipes. Allow it to work for a few minutes, then use a plunger to help move the clog along. You may have to repeat this more than once.
You can unclog drains with the power of acids and bases. Pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, and follow it with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar. It will fizz and foam, breaking down the clogs and deodorizing. After about 15 minutes, pour hot water down the drain.