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Old 29-07-2013, 17:19   #1
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Descale or Replace Head Hose?

We have been living aboard for five years and today, when I replaced a Jabso Y-valve in the head/holding tank plumbing, I found it to be more than half obstructed with crystal buildup (see picture). I had noticed that the manual Lavac head was getting harder to pump and I now assume the hose between the head and the valve is similarly clogged.

Conscious that crystal buildup in hoses is a common problem with seawater systems we had followed all the usual suggestions (vinegar, 20 pumps, etc.) but it does not seem to have helped that much.

Does anyone have an opinion as to whether descaling with muriatic (HCl) acid will solve this or does the 12' hose need to be pulled and replaced? I'm sure this will destroy the nitrile valves in the pumps but this would be a lesser evil than replacing that hose.

Thanks.
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Old 29-07-2013, 17:32   #2
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Re: Descale or Replace Head Hose?

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Originally Posted by Namoian View Post
I'm sure this will destroy the nitrile valves in the pumps but this would be a lesser evil than replacing that hose.
If it were me I would pull that hose and replace it.

Soaking and flushing that hose in place with muriatic acid (leaks and drips could do damage) and having to handle the hazmat that is produced would be a non-starter...not to mention potential damage to other system components.
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Old 31-07-2013, 18:20   #3
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Re: Descale or Replace Head Hose?

I have cleaned them in the past with a hammer. Just don't do the hammering next to the clam shack
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Old 31-07-2013, 18:26   #4
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pirate Re: Descale or Replace Head Hose?

Replace...
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Old 31-07-2013, 18:27   #5
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Re: Descale or Replace Head Hose?

I've knocked some of them clean on the dock but at that point it's a little silly to put them back on unless you're resource strapped (no cash, no materials).

I've greatly simplified my head plumbing, going from maybe 25' of 1.5" to ~6'. It meant putting in a smaller holding tank, putting it up higher than the water line, and ditching the y valve.

I swap out my hoses every year. I've got it down a morning job at this point, and I swap out the joker valve at the same time.
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Old 31-07-2013, 18:30   #6
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Re: Descale or Replace Head Hose?

the standard practice is to remove it and beat it on the dock if that doesn't please you buy new
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