State Industries GS6, GSX, GPX manual Mineral BUILD-UP, Symptoms, Cause

BULLETIN 13

MINERAL BUILD-UP

SYMPTOMS	• Rumbling	• Crackling	• Popping
CAUSE	With the increase in fuel costs and hot water consumption, deliming has become a
	necessity of modern maintenance. Lime (CaCO3), is the most notable factor when
	discussing water hardness. Lime is present in every water system to some degree.
	Since lime is inversely soluble [the more you heat, the more lime comes out], higher
	usage, excessive hardness, and increased heating surface can lead to a high
	incidence of “limed-up” heaters.
	Symptoms often include a popping of water trapped under lime deposits or the sizzling
	of water trapped next to elements, boiling it to steam.
THE FIX	Treatment of a “ limed-up“ heater is relatively simple. Since CaCO3 is a base, the
	easiest way to dissolve it so it can be flushed from the heater is with an acid. The most
	commonly used is phosphoric acid at a food-grade level.
	Two available treatments are Mag-Erad® and Un-Lime®. Any well stocked plumbing
	supply house should have a deliming solution available.
	The directions on the product should be followed explicitly.
NOTES	For additional information and instructions in deliming water heaters and boilers, please
	refer to the following pamphlets available from the Technical Information Center listed
	on the cover of this handbook:
	• Why? When & How: To Remove Water Scale from Tank Type Water Heaters
	• The Mag-Erad® Method of Cleaning Gas Fired Water Heaters
	• Up-N-Down Transfer Kit

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