It has been observed practically that when water, especially ground water, flows through a pipe, the salts and various dissolved particles present in water, generally tend to deposit on the inner walls of the pipe. Such deposits may strengthen over a period of time, thus hindering the flow as well as friction factor and eventually even close the pipe completely. Thus in the case of water supply pipes, it is observed that as the usage increases, the diameter of the pipe is getting reduced because of the deposits that are taking place along the inner walls of the pipes. In the coastal regions, where the water is saline in nature, the deposits have occupied the entire area of cross section of the pipe because of which the entire pipe system had to be replaced.
The white colored deposits on the inner walls of domestic pipes and other plumbing fittings are deposits of calcium compounds - they are present where there is hard water or water with high mineral content. As the water runs through the pipes and fittings, the calcium ions present in the water, which are highly reactive, react with the air inside the pipes to form compounds of calcium, that deposit all around the inner surface of the pipe, making the smooth passage of water difficult or causing hot water to cool down too fast.
Buildup of calcium in pipes and plumbing fittings can cause them to clog partially or completely, making them partially or totally dysfunctional. If the water has a high content of minerals in it, it will take as less as a month for the calcium deposits to build up in and around the pipes and plumbing fittings. Thus, the importance of cleaning the plumbing fittings and other pipes regularly cannot be over
emphasized.
