Magic potion for cleaning out head plumbing?

[Captned]

Greetings all,

I seem to remember something that was written about putting in my heads toilet to get rid of the calcium build up in my head plumbing. I searched but nothing popped up so can someone help me? I don't feel like pulling my pipes apart and banging them on the dock like last time! Never a fun afternoon. Any body got the magic potion and how do I apply it?

Thanks in advance...

Captned
78 46' CONV

[Angela]

Was it phosphoric acid? If so, is that stuff OK to use on head hoses and then run it through the macerator pump?

[Beckytek]

Calcium build-up must come from the water you are using. I have never heard of it as a problem. I just changed all my sanitation hoses and after 20 years they were clean as could be. No build-up of anything. We have well water and it is very soft. Ron

[Passages]

It was white vinegar.

I agree though, I've never seen scale in the sanitary system become a problem.

[Angela]

It's quite common in salt water flushing heads. When I rebuilt my heads last December, I found that one of my 2" hoses and the 2" PVC was almost completely packed with the calcium build up that is similar to dried concrete. There was a mere 3/4" passage remaining. And a testament to the strength of a GM macerator, it was still sucking everything through that small opening...before it reached the "blender" blade.

I replaced all of those hoses/pipes. I had never seen anything like it before. As I continued to move through the boat replacing hoses, I found that stuff everywhere.

[Captned]

Ummm, ok, maybe not calcium build up, but whatever it is, last time I cleaned them (soon after I bought her, six years ago) It had restricted the 2" pipe down to maybe 1/2 inch. It appeared to be a hard type of build up that you could break loose by smacking it on the dock. I use salt water for flushing. My faithful galley maid has been acting like the pipes are getting clogged.

Thanks for the help!



Captned

[Captned]

Hey Ang, you beat me to my post! Thats the stuff!

Captned

[Brian Degulis]

It's crystaline not calcium I think it's caused from Peeing in the head (that's why I always pee over the side) Just kidding. Muriatic Acid if I rember right about 25% acid 75% water pour it in flush a few times then let it sit it's suposed to break it down. I had it like Ang almost closing the hoses I'm told if you double flush if it's not going to used for a while that helps?

Brian

[Bob Bradley]

I'm doing my '79 43C right now. So far my magic potion has included a sawzall, a circular saw, a large knife and a prybar to help me rip those damn hoses out and replace them altogether. Once that's done, it's a new Atlantes Freedom head, and a nice new teak and holly sole. 30 years from now the SO (subsequent owner) can worry about it again.

[Captned]

Yooowwwweeee! My VERY careful about how much Muratic acid you add. 1/2 gallon at once was a little too much! And stand by ready to flush it away. Almost had a mini volcano in the head! Seems to have worked. Time will tell. Thanks all...

Captned
78 46 CONV