Calcium deposits on toilets prevention and repair.

[recycled sixtie]

I have noticed calcium buildup on our toilets. We have no water conditioner so the water is really hard. I have used screw drivers to remove the scale which works quite well.
I have put my finger in the entrance where the water enters and the scale is heavy.

Any thoughts on how to prevent scale deposit from happening(other than a water conditioner) and if there is scale how do you remove it besides a screw driver?

I am assuming that some folks just dispose of the toilet once it gets scaled up and does not flush.

[red-beard]

Scale can generally be removed with Hydrochloric acid.

[Scott Douglas]

Lime Away works too

[look 171]

My only thought is to remove all the water from tank or remove tank, plug all flushing holes with a rubber type plug. Fill toilet inlet with CLR and wait over night for the chemical to do its thing. It should remove all the heavy deposits blocking the outlet holes. You gotta get to that big one. That depends on the location and the type of toilet.

[cabmandone]

Vinegar works if it's not heavy buildup. Lime Away is better for heavy buildup. Why are you against putting a water softener in? Is it a water consumption issue?

[Evans, Marv]

You can get a pumice stone specifically for that at grocery stores, plumbing stores, Walmart, etc. It's just a rectangular peice of stone you use to rub the inside of the bowl. Softer than the ceramic but harder than the scale. Does a quick job too.

[masraum]

calcium will be disolved with acid (CLR, Vinegar, etc...)

Get some of the toilet cleaner liquid gel with the squeezy goose neck to get under the rim. Put it on the toilet and let it sit for an hour, then use a brush to scrub the toilet. Most of those cleaners will remove that stuff, but it's got to sit a while to start dissolving the scale and leave it loose enough to scrub off.

[Evans, Marv]

I went the pumice route because I'm on a septic system. Didn't want to put chemicals into it.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by masraum

Get some of the toilet cleaner liquid gel with the squeezy goose neck to get under the rim. Put it on the toilet and let it sit for an hour, then use a brush to scrub the toilet. Most of those cleaners will remove that stuff, but it's got to sit a while to start dissolving the scale and leave it loose enough to scrub off.

I squirted that gel into the bowl water and sloshed it around. Waited 15 minutes and then used a kitchen scrub pad with sponge on one side and scotchbrite on the other to beat on the stains. It got them out but it took three runs at it mainly because I had to see my progress which meant flushing.

Straight gel would be good under the rim if waiting that hour but it would be nice to get up in the holes and ream them out a bit while at it. Not sure what to use for that.

[Arizona_928]

Hcl. Fun stuff

[Nostril Cheese]

As others have said, HCL. Be safe with it

[Amail]

Our plumber cleaned it up with muriatic acid, same stuff you put in your pool. I think he mixed about 50/50 in a small bucket. Remember, pour acid into water, not water into acid.

[wdfifteen]

I had the same problem with the toilets and water heaters in my office building. I just planned on replacing everything every 5 years. One water heater got so bad the outlet opening was totally clogged.