Heavy Deposits of Calcium in Well Water

by Nita Holstine

I often write about how our well water is sweet to taste, smells good but has such high levels of minerals, we cannot drink it. We buy bottled distilled water at Wal-mart since they have the lowest price. Most experts allow that bone spurs and other calcium build up in the body problems are caused by ingesting such calcium. 

We do wash clothes, bathe and flush the toilet with well water. The washing machine drain goes outside to the yard and trees. The toilet and tub go to the septic tank and there is our current problem. Where the line from the house goes into the tank, huge chunks of calcium form and create a concrete like blockage. I had been looking for a product or idea for eliminating this problem.

The only feedback I received at all was to "call a professional" someone with commercial knowledge, products and a bill to prove it. 

So, I went back to using Vinegar. When I can let the slow drain drop the level at the clean out, I pour in two gallons of cheap brand Vinegar.

The tools of drain busting are a water hose kept for only this purpose. A length of 1 inch black (fairly rigid but it must bend to be inserted into 4 inch drain pipe) pvc about 20 foot long. This also is kept hidden under the house and not used for anything else.

After the Vinegar has set for about 4 hours, with both hose and pvc in drain to point of blockage, keep hitting the chunks with the black pipe. Run water full blast to float out chunks of calcium. With the full two gallons, it has never failed to break up the pieces and allow the pipe to go all the way into the tank. It doesn't give me a full 4 inch opening anymore but it keeps the old toilet flushing as needed.

Problem? Vinegar is a great spray on to kill weeds around the yard. Byron Tumlinson taught us that part. Vinegar is also killing all the trees around the septic area. Much worse than it being just the septic tank and drain field. Any suggestions are welcome, Nita