by Kristine Tucker

Created on: July 17, 2010   Last Updated: March 30, 2011

Keeping your drainpipes clean from the build-up that lime produces is an essential part of home maintenance. Over time, lime deposits that accumulate as a result of minerals in hard water can clog drainpipes. Removing lime from your drainpipes can save you the expense of having to hire a plumber to repair or replace the pipe in the future. Getting rid of unwanted lime deposits in drainpipes is a valuable home improvement project.

First, you should choose a commercial lime remover from a local hardware store. Follow the instructions on the bottle to ensure that the correct amount of remover is used. Pour the lime remover down the sink and bathtub drains slowly to avoid excess spillage on the surrounding surface.

Allow time for the chemicals in the remover to dissolve the lime. Follow the instructions on the lime remover bottle to ensure that the chemicals have had sufficient time to process. Avoid using the sinks and bathtubs until the required time has passed.

Next, you must flush the drainpipes with water. Run water through the bathtub and sink faucets for five minutes to flush the chemicals out of the pipes. Do not add any chemicals to the water during the flushing cycle.

If you do not want to purchase a lime cleaner, you can make your own lime dissolver. Remove lime and hard water stains using a mild vinegar solution. Phosphoric acid, a key ingredient in vinegar, dissolves lime. Combine vinegar, water and salt to create a hard water lime remover. Combine 3 cups of distilled white vinegar, 4-1/2 half cups of water and 9 tbsp. of salt in a small bucket or pitcher.

Pour the homemade lime remover down the drain in your bathtubs and sinks. Use approximately two cups of the mixture down every drain in the house. Avoid pouring the chemicals on porcelain or other bathroom and kitchen fixtures. Allow the chemicals to react for 10 minutes.

Flush the drainpipes with water. Turn on the water in the sinks and faucets and allow it to run consistently for five minutes. Run the water at the same time throughout the entire house to ensure a complete flushing of the homemade lime remover.

Turn on the bathroom fan and open a couple of windows when using the professional lime remover or the home made dissolver. The chemicals should not be inhaled. Some professional lime removers require gloves to be worn during the application process. The chemicals can irritate the skin if it is exposed.

Learn more about this author, Kristine Tucker.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.