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| Calcium Clots in Water Faucets | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Tue May 22nd, 2007 02:12 pm |
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1st Post |
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frox Member 
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Recently turned off house water to add plumbing for new bath. A week later, calcium particulate sediment starting clogging all the faucet aeroation screens. After cleaning them and letting system flush for a few gallons, they would be OK for a couple of days. Then it would start again. I have a Rheem 21VR75 75 gallon water heater which is 12 years old. We purchased the house new and I immediately installed 3/4 inch plumbing to replace the inboard plastic drain valve, and have since been using hot water from the water heater drain port for car washing, floor mopping, etc., so the tank stays sediment free. My theory: The plumbing is all copper, 12 years old. I suspect that when I turned off the water to add the plumbing, the inline ball valves (there's 2, one before the meter and one after) may have had some sediment buildup, since the valves haven't been turned off for over 8 years. Maybe this sediment broke up is making its way through the house. And/or, when turning the water back on to the house, the recharging copper lines were vibrated enough by the escaping air to cause the release of some of the 12 years of calcium build up. (In human medical terms, the house was having comparable mini-stroke caused by a blood/water calcium clot.) The water here in Colorado Springs, CO is very clean and has very little mineral content. I am planning on changing the sacrificial anode, which may be totally gone, since it has never been changed. The water heater does not leak and appears in good health. What would be causing the sediment to suddenly start releasing into the system? Last edited on Tue May 22nd, 2007 02:17 pm by frox |
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| Posted: Tue May 22nd, 2007 05:48 pm |
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2nd Post |
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elenano GCF-GL
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Your dip tube is disintegrating and it's plastic, not calcium, that's clogging your aerators. You need to replace the old one and flush the tank as well as you can. You'll probably still have some residual clogging because plastic floats and sticks to things, so it may be awhile before you get rid of all the old bits. Randy Schuyler
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| Posted: Tue May 22nd, 2007 06:04 pm |
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3rd Post |
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frox Member
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Thanks for getting back so quickly. The particles that were caught in the screens were easily broken up and dissolved when I rubbed them together between my fingers. I did find a couple of plastic-like pieces, like teflon tape or other debris, but 98% was the easily dissolvable calcium. Before putting the aeroator screens back on my faucets, I took a fine vegetable strainer and flushed the pipes through the strainer to see what would collect. For the first few minutes I would catch more of the particles. I found by turning the water off and on quickly, more particles would accumulate. After 5 minutes of this (on both hot & cold), the strainer would not collect any more. I'm continuing to monitor the faucets and flush as necessary. I have a feeling it will run its course. Frank Rakoczy
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| Posted: Tue May 22nd, 2007 08:07 pm |
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4th Post |
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eleent Member
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Hello: When dip tubes disintigrate, you get fine bits that look like calcium. An interesting thing about them is in one dimension, they are all the same. If bigger bits get caught, they will have a slight curve to them. The dip tube pieces will break up, just as you described. If you had a recirculation line going to the bottom of the heater, it could be calcium, otherwise it is likely dip tube. For fun, try putting some pieces in vinegar overnight. If they dissolve, they're calcium. If not they're dip tube  Yours, Larry
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| Posted: Tue May 22nd, 2007 10:02 pm |
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5th Post |
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frox Member
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Thanks for the info. Now I got to replace the dip tube & and anode. Thanks to all. A plumber's friend Frank
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