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[Momofone]

Any ideas on how to deal with this?  Discovered any inexpensive, easy ways to control the damage done to pipes and water heaters?

We will be moving to a new location that has had no electricity or running water.  We have dug a well and will GET electricity (I'm not that backwoodsy!), but our water is very "limey".  A friend said they tried a softener for several years, but the cost to run it was prohibitive and they didn't like the stuff it put in their water.  After some time, they realized it would be cheaper in the end to just replace their Water Heater every 4 years!

Wondered if anyone had any other experience they could share?

thx
Momofone

[naturalgirl]

Lime is very hard to get rid of. We have had some relief from first pouring a box of Baking Soda down our main drain, then a gallon of cheap vinegar, letting it sit for a 1/2 hour, then pouring about 2 1/2 gallons of very hot, boiling water down. Stinks like crazy, but it has worked somewhat. You might look into a portable filtering system to get your drinking water from, or else you will have problems with getting buildup on pans you use for cooking. As an experiment, my brother cut open my grandma's old, well used everyday tea pot (we live in the same location). The lime in there was an inch thick, and I'm not kidding.       Hope you get your electricity in soon!

[coffeemom]

ok, i am not joking here. yes, you can buy magnets to place on your water lines. and not only do they work well, but the water is more healthy.
years ago i read an article about tankless water heaters in Countryside mag.
i thought wow what a great idea. but, the costs of these was prohibitive.
and no one knew anything about them. today, they are all over and some Amish use them also as they are non electric. i am looking for one we can afford. they heat water on demand, take little space and some do not need venting. you can them in electric, NG, or propane.
along the same lines, ever see those ads for colodial silver? its like a stick of sorts you put in a glass of water. this is what magnets do. no chemicals, no salt, etc. hubby has a kidney disorder, i don't want to add more sodium. so i am searching for magnets. every time i bid on them cheap on ebay, i get outbid but will keep trying and come back to say how they work. i know those who have them and love them. they simply clip on and last forever.
we've had many water softner systems and they are expensive, don't like the taste of the water, use electricity and salt bags.

[coffeemom]

will be back to let you know how they work! they were 10$ for a set of 10 for the 2 pipes.

[naturalgirl]

I'll be looking forwards to your update 

[Momofone]

Hey!  THank you ladies for your comments!  I came back to UE today to post another one of my crazy questions, and saw "my topic" finally listed!!!  Coffeemom - could you tell us more about how to find the magnets, please?  If I did a search, would I put in "water magnets" or "water line magnets"...?  I'm excited to hear how your research goes, too!

And, thanks for the draincleaner idea, NG!  Much better than chemicals.  Also - we have electricity!!!!  Yippee!!  Now - if the weather would just clear up so we could get a foundation put in for a house to live in!!

[coffeemom]

hey thanks for writing back, ok heres the scoop:
i got my magnets off ebay. 10$ for a set, 7.99 s/h.
the box got here fast and inside were about 20 magnets. they stick to eachother so hubby clamped them here and there, water heater, faucets,
etc. on cold and hot lines.
its only been a couple days but i notice that the soap makes suds easier.
after i clean the old rust off we'll get a better look.
i think we will order another set for the basement pipes.
we own another property and paid 500$ for water softener, plus all the hook ups and salt. if these work, it will save a bundle.
from what i read it makes sense.
how i understand it is similar to what happens when you put detergent in the wash. the water is what really does the cleaning, the soap acts like a diffuser, it breaks up the water tension.
this can be observed if you use a cup or less of baking soda instead of soap next time you do a load of clothes. i alos add a small squirt of vinegar right in the wash (sposed to use in rinse but i'm lazy) ad it does help stains and softness.
the magnets create or help the natural minerals flow through the water. water softeners do the opposite, bind them up. plus add sodium.
you are getting some of the minerals but they are natural things your body needs, and many lack..see PICA.
i did notice right away that the water we put in coffee pot to brew a pot was no longer cloudy. that was first day!

[naturalgirl]

Hm, Sounds like those magnets would really be something to look into. Thanks for all the info. Coffeemom!

[coffeemom]

holy cow they work! the magnets are doing a great job. i will order another set just to have. the dishes are clean, my hair is soft and clothes too. more suds in water.
talk about taking something off grid!

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