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Pipe Descaling: Meaning And Methods

30 June 2022 by Bill Turner

Your plumbing system relies on several maintenance strategies and interventions to remain efficient and safe. You should listen to your plumber and take the necessary measures even if you don't understand them. For example, descaling is an important intervention technique for clogged pipes, but many people don't understand it. Below is an overview of descaling and its execution methods.

Meaning and the Need for Pipe Descaling

Metal pipes corrode over time. High water temperatures, pressure, acidity, and dissolved minerals accelerate the corrosion process. Secondly, minerals in hard water sometimes crystalize within the pipes.

Rust and mineral deposits have several negative effects. For example:

• The deposits can discolor your water and make it smelly
• The mineral deposits can discolor your utensils, clothes, and other surfaces hard water comes into contact with, such as bathroom walls
• The deposits clog your water pipes and reduce water flow or cause damage
• The deposits clog your plumbing appliances, accelerate their wear and tear, and reduce their lifespans

Descaling is the removal of mineral and rust deposits within plumbing pipes and prevents the effects mentioned above.

Pipe Descaling Methods

Plumbers use different methods to descale plumbing pipes. The main goal is to remove the deposits without damaging the pipes. Below are the most common methods.

Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting clears heavy clogs better than other descaling methods. With this technique, the plumber uses a chain and pressurized water to break down and clear blockages within the pipe. During the hydro jetting process, the plumber attaches a nozzle and chain to the clogged pipe's opening. The nozzle sends pressurized water through the pipe as the chain rotates and breaks up the clogs.

Some people wonder whether or not hydro jetting is dangerous and can damage water pipes. The descaling method won't damage the pipes as long as you maintain safe water pressure. Your plumbing's safety is one reason to stick to professional plumbers for descaling.

Chemical Descaling

Plumbers also use chemical solutions for descaling, especially in pipes with minimal or moderate clogs. Chemical descaling works best with mineral deposits. For this method, the plumber flushes an acidic solution through the affected pipes. The acid breaks down the deposits before the plumber flushes and rinses the pipe with plain water.

Regular maintenance prevents many plumbing problems. However, some problems might still crop up despite your maintenance efforts. Contact local professional plumbing services for descaling or other plumbing interventions.

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