How to Clean Sediment from Water Lines?
Did you get a weird smell from the water when you were brushing your teeth this morning? Or was it in the afternoon, when you were taking a shower and suddenly noticed the floor is getting brownish because of the shower water? These are all happening because there is sediment buildup in your water line.
If you want to know best way to clean sediment from water lines, then keep on reading.
What Causes the Sediments in Water Pipes?
The most common reason would be iron pipes. Iron easily reacts to the oxygen in the water and forms rust. If the area you live in has contaminated water, the small particles get stuck inside the pipe. This also creates buildup and sediment formation.
Our recommendation is to use the whole house iron filter to get iron-free water.
Is it Dangerous?
Sediment can degrade water quality in different ways. It can cause pipelines to clog as well as decreasing the water pressure on the channels. On top of that, there are many health hazards included. The sediments can carry eco waste, viruses, bacteria, lead, mercury, arsenic, and so on. Consuming such waste can be life-threatening too.
How to Know Your Water Pipe Has Sediments?
Any signs such as weird smell or odor, illness, and water discoloration indicate that your water line has got dirty. If you see small particles floating in a glass full of water from your water line, then it's probably time for you to clean the sediments.
How to Clean Sediment from Water Lines?
Now we will discuss some of the easiest ways of cleaning pipelines so that you can do it on your own.
Flushing It Off
This method is simple. You just have to turn on all the taps, showers, and other sources of water output and keep it running. The goal here is to empty the whole tank. While you are keeping the tap running, all the sediments will come out of the pipes leaving a clean surface inside. You can empty out an average tank in 20 minutes, but the timing depends on the tank size.
Replacing the Pipes
If the rusting gets too heavy, then only the flushing method may not be enough for you. The rust will adhere to the pipe's body, which is very tough to remove just by water pressure. In this case, you have to install new lines.
Firstly, you have to drain out all the remaining water in the pipelines. After ensuring the pipes are empty, you can then change the pipes.
Using Chemicals
Using chemicals is a fast and effective way to remove clogs in pipes. Such a chemical is Muriatic acid. You have to mix the chemical with one cup of water and pour it into the clogged drain. Wait for about 15 minutes and turn on the water faucet. The chemical is strong enough to break the rust and loosen it up to flush out. If the rusting doesn't flush out the sediments, then repeat the whole process again.
Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
If you want to spend less, then it could be your best option. You may need 10 to 15 liters of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda for each pipe.
Firstly, you have to pour the baking soda into each pipe of the house. Secondly, you have to pour in the vinegar after diluting it with some water. Experts suggest keeping this baking soda and vinegar solution in your pipes for a whole day.
The baking and vinegar reaction will break up any corrosion inside the pipes. After 24 hours, keep the water running and check until you get fresh and odor-free water.
Other Ways for Solving the Problem
If your house water is getting dirty very often, maybe it's not a problem in your water pipes. Perhaps it's just coming out of the water source. For settling this problem, you can install a Well Water Sediment Filter. Only as the name explains, this machine will filter out any sediments and provide you freshwater.
We also looked upon Best Inline Water Filter Reviews, and they were as good as the sediment filter. You can choose any type according to your need after a bit of research.
A Little Safety Tip
If you are using chemicals to clean the sediments, then you should look after some essential things. The room you are working in should be well ventilated. Inhaling such harsh chemicals can cause breathing problems.
Always wear protective items like gloves and goggles. The chemicals can damage your skin too.
Wrapping it Up
If you have low budget and want to discover how to clean sediments from water lines, this article will surely help you. Most of the methods mentioned here are specifically chosen so that you can do it on your own. Though it's a common problem in households, you should not take it lightly. Consuming contaminated water for a long time will make you sick.