Chemistry Question

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saltyrob

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Hi Folk,

The seacock on the toilet outlet is rather stiff. I am contemplating renewal, but from past experience it can be a grot job, Therefore assuming that there is seawater/urine salty deposit inside the seacock causing it to be a bit stiff, is it possible to remove the deposit with a mildish chemical. Fernox and even Cocacola have been suggested but not sure if this will be ok. Any advice gratefully recieved.

Many thanks

Rob
 
Acids dissolve salt. Cocacola has a mild acid content. I do not know Fernox.
HCl is an acid. English chemical name is hydrochloric acid, popular names are muriatic acid or spirits of salt.
 
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If the problem is due to calcium carbonate deposits then yes any acid descaler will remove them.

Fernox DS-3 is the acid descaler.. based on sulphamic acid.

Cola? yes contains acid but I do not know the concentration. It could be rather slow and need several doses.

A hydrochloric acid based brick cleaner will be swift but use with some caution as you don't want to damage the seacock. Could dezincify a DZR brass one.

Rydlyme maybe ? It is sold as a marine descaler.

Strip, reseat and regrease afterwards anyway. No magic alternative to proper maintenance.
 
Acids dissolve salt? Depends on the acid and the salt.

Common salt, sodium chloride, is soluble in water and acid wont make any difference.
Majority of salts are soluble in water. Acids wont make much difference in most cases. A sparingly soluble salt will even be less soluble in the acid of which it is a salt.

HCl is hydrogen chloride ... a gas . Hydrochloric acid is a solution of it in water
 
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Take the opportunity to descale the flexy hose.

No chemicals needed, just slam it on the pontoon deck when no-ones looking. You'll be amazed at what emerges.
 
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saltyrob said:
Hi Folk,

The seacock on the toilet outlet is rather stiff. I am contemplating renewal, but from past experience it can be a grot job, Therefore assuming that there is seawater/urine salty deposit inside the seacock causing it to be a bit stiff, is it possible to remove the deposit with a mildish chemical. Fernox and even Cocacola have been suggested but not sure if this will be ok. Any advice gratefully recieved.

Many thanks

Rob
Click to expand...

Is this a Blakes 1.5 inch seacock? The usual cause of stiffness in them is not deposits but gradual loss of the grease between the male and female cones. If it isn't one of the newer types with a grease nipple it would be better to separate the cones, lightly grind if necessary to clean up the faces, then regrease and assemble, only tightening the bolts until the valve rotates smoothly.
 
Many thanks for your responses. Is it only brick cleaner,(hydrochloric acid), which would dezincify brass or will other acids do the same. l have some fernox and if I use it, it will be well diluted


Rob
 
No worries about using hydrochloric acid, it will only be in there, and active, for about five minutes, nowhere near long enough to do any damage to the seacock. I use hydrochloric acid in mine about every 14 days, seacocks remain in good condition.
 
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