The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Chemical cleaning of house piping

 

Does any one know of a method to chemically clean the house copper piping in lieu of re-piping? We have noticed considerable flow restriction to toilet units due to calcium buildup inside the pipes. I was told that vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] is one of the possible chemicals since it is effective and environmentally safe.

George Beigie
- Irvine, CA

---

I can attest that vinegar does a fine job of speeding up the flow in coffee makers. By extension I would expect it to do a good job on hot water piping. But whether cold vinegar would have enough activity, that I don't know. Talk your customers into hot water toilets :-)

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

---

George,

First off, I'd go to various plumbing outfits and get THEIR recommendations.

Secondly, if you do use a very weak acid like vinegar (or the same but nice and strong called acetic acid ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] ), make sure you turn on all the taps etc until you notice 'it' coming through.

Thirdly, especially if you are using a true acid (HCl, sulfuric) you MUST flush the system down after 5 minutes and simultaneously pour in an alkaline like Sodium Bicarbonate to neutralize the acid. Then give a nice long flush.

If you leave the 'acid' in too long, it could damage the copper piping.

Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).