Urinal problems

[marky_lad]

Guys,

I have a slight problem with a urinal at my work premises. When the cistern flushes water and it enters the urinal it doesn't drain away quick enough and ends up flooding over the lip of the urinal.

I've removed the trap and it is very scaled up. Is there anything I can do to remove this scale, is there some sort of scale remover available?

We have never used any urinal tablets before, is this likely to be the problem?

Cheers,

M

[MAB]

You could use a toothbrush to get in and give everthing a good clean.

Then use one of the ordinary toilet cleaners on a regular basis.

Make sure you use someone else's toothbrush and thoroughly clean it after use (unless you're going through a bad patch).

LOL.

Mike.
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Mike.

[Chris]

I imagine there must be descalers in janitorial suppliers stock, but the supermarket ones are pretty good for badly scaled shower heads etc. Used neat they aren't too aggressive, but will also work on a wc pan when diluted if left overnight.

[AlanE]

Not only check traps but also actual pipes.

I would lay money that they are not scaled up but lined with deoderant block, or similar.

These blocks are melted when warm 'waste' water flows over them and then solidify once the liquid reaches the cold water in the trap. Bit by bit the layer thickens.

Simplist solution is replace the traps if possible and clear, or replace, pipework. And then NEVER use any solid type blocks in future.

Alan

[MAB]

They also tend to block from the bottom up because of the low flow, so when the problem is realised it is harder to deal with.

If you could find a way of blocking the end of the run and leaving a bleach/descaler in overnight then a few goes may clear things.

If it has been designed nicely there should be access plugs to enable mechanical cleaning which would be the best way, and preferably on a regular basis.

Unless you are sure of the jointing method then please do not put pressure through just in case the small flow you have becomes a blockage.

LOL.

Mike.

P.S. If you do go the toothbrush route then I am reliably informed that the contra-rotating head electric ones are the best.



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Mike.

[Chris]

If it IS a block-melting problem as Alan suggests, then a large volume of very hot water should improve things rapidly.

I think my wife's got one with a contra rotating head..

[edhall]

I don't think is "scale" in the traditional sense. The Scruff probably knows exactly what it is but it is probably some mixture of uric acid, calcium, and salt. Does it taste bitter or sour... Kidding - DON'T Taste it!

I first came across this years ago and the only thing I found to work was to whack the trap on the pavement and the bits fell out. I also scraped out the pipes.
Now that I am a plumber, I simply replace the traps and the pipes to the main sewer pipe.

You could do what I did years ago, but I would recommend replacement for a quicker, easier and longer lasting soloution.

Edward Hall
Advanced Plumbing Systems
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Edward Hall
Advanced Plumbing Systems

[thescruff]

Top of the class ED.

Calcium is the biggest problem in urinals and is far better and cleaner to replace the pipes.

scruff

[MAB]

Ed,

Is that bitter? Or bitter with a slightly sour aftertaste? Or completely sour?

How did you find out?

Replacement is fine if all accessible.

Just off to a boiler, suspect the fuse but will replace anyway.

Happy valentines and keep away from those cameras.



Mike.
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Mike.