boiler ?calcification? question
A plumber just left after removing an old boiler that provided hot water for a radiant floor system and it provided domestic hot water as well. After he disconnected the piping from the old boiler there was a startling amount of white buildup around the interior of the copper pipe for the domestic hot water; however, there was absolutely none in the lines that fed and returned from the radiant heating manifold. My impression was that the temperature would be greatest in the radiant floor piping and moderate in the domestic hot water circuit. Both sets of pipes are copper. It would seem that the radiant piping would show the same problem. Does anyone have any idea why the faucet water would have calcification and the radiant not have any?
The plumber said that he installs a lot of the ‘water ionization’ systems.He showed me a picture where there’s simply a wire that hooks up to the water system from a box and it keeps the minerals in suspension. I have never heard of anything like this and I’m wondering if anyone knows if this works or it’s just an expensive add-on?
Thanks for any insights!
Replies
The heating water is recirculated, so there is no steady supply of new hard water minerals (unless there's a leak). The domestic hot water, on the other hand, is always "new" water, with a fresh supply of new hard water minerals.
Save your money on the "water ionization" system. (Or better still, send me the money -- it'll do as much good as giving it to the plumber for that system.)
Thanks Dan. I thought the 'magic box' was a bit far fetched. Your explanation about the calcification in the hot water circuit makes perfect sense. I've contracted the plumber to put in an indirect hot water tank. Per your explanagtion I'm assuming that this means the water that gets circulated from the boiler to the Lochinvar Squire and back will be the same water and won't have the resupply of minerals. Problem solved!
Beware the gravel road in your pipes!
I had a house with alot of calcification in the pipes. Every time I replaced the water filter, it would dislodge a ton of crud into the system. Not only would it clog screens, it would mess with faucet valves and toilet fill valves.