Unused toilets in house get disgusting rings
#1
03-28-18, 10:47 PM
Unused toilets in house get disgusting rings
These toilets are disinfected and cleaned. The bathroom doors are closed and never used.
I have uploaded a picture of the toilet.
I got a water test, I can't upload it for some reason, but i can tell you whatever information you request.
I do have hard water. I have a water softener. I had purchased this house that was vacant for two years.
Even my toilets that are used everyday get the ring around them. The unused ones are just disgusting
I can't keep stoning my toilets, eventually I will rip through the porcelain.
What's going on here?
Do I just need to bleach my well and run the water through my pipes to sanitize the PEX pipes?
Is it the fact that my plumbing pipes had no flowing water in them for years.
I feel like this problem is much deeper than me just not scrubbing them monthly. I've never had this issue at any of my other houses.
I am on a private well.
I have uploaded a picture of the toilet.
I got a water test, I can't upload it for some reason, but i can tell you whatever information you request.
I do have hard water. I have a water softener. I had purchased this house that was vacant for two years.
Even my toilets that are used everyday get the ring around them. The unused ones are just disgusting
I can't keep stoning my toilets, eventually I will rip through the porcelain.
What's going on here?
Do I just need to bleach my well and run the water through my pipes to sanitize the PEX pipes?
Is it the fact that my plumbing pipes had no flowing water in them for years.
I feel like this problem is much deeper than me just not scrubbing them monthly. I've never had this issue at any of my other houses.
I am on a private well.
#2
03-28-18, 11:52 PM
Super Moderator
Are they more of a mineral deposit or a mildew/mold type build up? Or a combo of both? Mineral at the top ring and needs to be pumiced off and the dusty looking stuff below the water line comes off easily? If mineral and the toilets are never used, I'd guess evaporation leaving mineral deposits. Normally thats where mold spores will grow as well, but I guess there must be something that can grow below or we'd never have to clean below the waterline, right?
If you never use the toilets, I'd say turn off the supply, flush, dry out the tank with a sponge and leave the lid off for a while. Put a cap of bleach in the bowl then pour in some mineral oil (enough to cover the surface) to prevent evaporation and be (hopefully) done with it. You'd have to check once in a while to make sure the water level hasn't dropped or been siphoned.
If you did have a need in the future it's only a matter of turning the water on.
If you never use the toilets, I'd say turn off the supply, flush, dry out the tank with a sponge and leave the lid off for a while. Put a cap of bleach in the bowl then pour in some mineral oil (enough to cover the surface) to prevent evaporation and be (hopefully) done with it. You'd have to check once in a while to make sure the water level hasn't dropped or been siphoned.
If you did have a need in the future it's only a matter of turning the water on.
#3
03-28-18, 11:55 PM
Member
Its most likely a hard water issue, what does your test confirm for hardness?
Might need a water softener!
Might need a water softener!
#4
03-29-18, 12:45 AM
Yes, I have an autotrol softener 268/760 14X65 3 C.U. resin tank.
Yes, I have to pumice stone the top of the water line off, I've done it like 4 times in the last 2-3 years.
I have my main toilet that my wife and I use, those are used several times a day. Those also have the "mineral" ring on them as well.
Here's everything that can contribute to hard water
These numbers are on UNSOFTENED WATER!
<0.01 mg/L Iron
<0.005 mg/L Manganese
53.1 mg/L Calcium
15.8 mg/L Magnesium
198 mg/L (as CaCO3) Hardness
11.6 grains/gallon Hardness (gpg)
So yes, I definitely have hard water. I have my water softener set at 16GPG. Is it just Calcium deposits I'm assuming?
Yes, I have to pumice stone the top of the water line off, I've done it like 4 times in the last 2-3 years.
I have my main toilet that my wife and I use, those are used several times a day. Those also have the "mineral" ring on them as well.
Here's everything that can contribute to hard water
These numbers are on UNSOFTENED WATER!
<0.01 mg/L Iron
<0.005 mg/L Manganese
53.1 mg/L Calcium
15.8 mg/L Magnesium
198 mg/L (as CaCO3) Hardness
11.6 grains/gallon Hardness (gpg)
So yes, I definitely have hard water. I have my water softener set at 16GPG. Is it just Calcium deposits I'm assuming?
#5
03-29-18, 04:26 AM
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Wet side of Washington state.
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I've seen that on toilets that use municipal water from surface sources, i.e. soft water. It is because the toilets need to be cleaned more often than once a month, regardless of whether or not they are "used". Once a week works fine for me.
#6
03-29-18, 08:23 AM
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,146
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I can't keep stoning my toilets, eventually I will rip through the porcelain.
I’ve had calcium buildup worse than that. Like cement. I found that soaking some paper towels in white vinegar and then pressing them against the places on the bowl where there is buildup, like the ring for example, and then let it sit for 24 hours, seems to do wonders. Much easier to clean off.
If they are still really stubborn then put some more vinegar in the bowl and rub it into the bad spots. That has worked for me.
#8
03-29-18, 11:12 AM
Member
Its most likely a hard water issue, what does your test confirm for hardness?
Might need a water softener!
Might need a water softener!
I still suspect a water issue, I have really hard water but we dont see anything this bad, system may not be working properly!
#9
03-29-18, 11:44 AM
I have verified with test strips with and without the softener turned on. With it turned off the strips turn to very hard water. With the water softener on, the strips come out with soft water.
I had someone else tell me I need to bleach my well and run the water in all the lines and let it sit for 24 hours. As it could be an issue with water staying inside the lines for 2 years and not moving at all.
I guess i'm just trying to see if i could be an issue with whats inside my pex lines maybe?
I have not bleached my well yet.
I had someone else tell me I need to bleach my well and run the water in all the lines and let it sit for 24 hours. As it could be an issue with water staying inside the lines for 2 years and not moving at all.
I guess i'm just trying to see if i could be an issue with whats inside my pex lines maybe?
I have not bleached my well yet.
#10
03-29-18, 01:31 PM
Super Moderator
As I understand, the shocking of the well is for critters (germs and such), not minerals. Hard crusty deposits indicate minerals.
#11
03-29-18, 05:57 PM
Member
This is very common especially with a well water system. Do what CasualJoe said or what Gunguy says and turn off the water supply. Don't make too big an issue out of it. You must have bigger fish to catch.
Some people don't let it bother them, such as my daughter. There is nothing "wrong" with the water or the stains.
Some people don't let it bother them, such as my daughter. There is nothing "wrong" with the water or the stains.
#12
03-31-18, 06:21 AM
Member
Since the toilets are never used, a cheap "fix" is to clean the toilet, then cut off the water to the toilet, flush the toilet until the tank is empty, fill the tank with distilled water, flush again, refill the tank with distilled water, and turn the water to the toilet back on. This will stop another ring from forming until someone uses the toilet.
#14
03-31-18, 11:31 AM
Super Moderator
You'll still need to check it occasionally to watch for evaporation. If it goes too long, the trap could open up as the level drops and you'll let in sewer gas. That's why I suggested mineral oil or some other non-hazardous oil. Mineral oil is probably the cheapest.
