System and method for cleaning occluded water pipes in structures

Abstract

A system and method for cleaning mineral build-up from the water pipes of a building. The system is attached to in-flow and out-flow orifices of a building, and two circuits, one including a cleaning solution, and a second including a rinsing solution, are alternatingly circulated through the building's water pipe network.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of The Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to conduit cleaning systems and methods, and to processes for cleaning water pipes occluded with minerals (calcium carbonate and manganese, for example).

[0003] 2. Background Information

[0004] Over the course of time, water pipes in homes and commercial establishments alike can become partially, or effectively, completely occluded by mineral build-up. Clearly, this is more of a problem in areas having extremely “hard” water. Examples of such areas would include the San Antonio, Tex. area where, because of mineral build-up, pipes clog in a matter of a few years in the case of certain buildings or dwellings, ice makers fail, and hot water heaters must be replaced far more often than in other areas of the country, or even state.

[0005] Replacing all or part of the plumbing in a house or building is clearly expensive, and, in fact, simply cost prohibitive for many. Yet, replacement is precisely what will be required at some point, if mineral build-up is allowed to progress to a level that water pressure is at a level below that required for daily needs.

[0006] It would well serve all property owners to provide some system and/or method to reverse the mineral build-up that plagues hard water area residents. Ideally, such a system or method would remove all, or at least much of a mineral build-up, without requiring actual, permanent plumbing modifications, access to pipes inside the dwelling or structure, or the expenditure of significant time, money, or effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for use in removing mineral build-ups in the pipes and valves in a home or building's water system.

[0008] It is another object to provide a method for removing mineral build-ups in the pipes and valves in a home or building's water system.

[0009] It is another object to provide a system and method for use thereof in removing mineral build-ups in the pipes and valves in a home or building's water system, which system and method can obviate the need for pipe replacement caused by excessive mineral occlusion.

[0010] It is another object to provide a method for removing mineral build-ups in the pipes and valves in a home or building's water system, which method is more cost-effective, less time consuming, and less labor intensive than any current method for remediating mineral build-up in water pipes.

[0011] In satisfaction of these and related objects, the present invention provides a system and method for cleaning (removing mineral build-ups) in water pipes of dwellings and other buildings. The system and method does not require or involve, and, in fact, obviates in most cases, the replacement of pipes as otherwise requires in absence of such a system and method.

[0012] The present system, as will be discussed in more detail below, includes, at its most basic level, allows a two-stage process whereby a cleaning solution is first circulated through a plumbing network, followed by a rinse and sanitation cycle. The process for using the present system, except for temporary removal of faucet strainers, disconnection of ice makers, and such other minor modifications, requires only outside connections or plumbing modifications at the water meter site.

[0013] Periodic use of the present system and method can obviate the need for thousands of dollars in plumbing repair costs, yet provide users with water flow substantially equivalent to when the home or structure on which the system and method is used was first constructed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the pipe cleaning system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, the pipe cleaning system of the present invention (shown in schematic format) is identified generally by the reference number 10. Generally speaking, use of system 10 involves cyclically forcing fluids (first a cleaning solution, then a rinsing and sanitation fluid) through a building's plumbing system for a time, followed by discarding each fluid.

[0016] The building to be treated is identified as 12, and the water meter for such building is identified as 14.

[0017] System 10 includes a first holding tank 16 and a second holding tank 18. A in-flow manifold 20 is attached to both tanks 16 and 18 near the top, upper end of each such tank. In-flow manifold 20 includes a first manifold valve 22 which, depending on its on/off position, allows or occludes flow into tank 16 through manifold 20, and a second manifold valve 24 which depending on its on/off position, allows or occludes flow into tank 18 through manifold 20. Manifold 20 also is provided one or more “site glasses” 21 through which a user can view fluid as it passes through system 10.

[0018] Sub-manifold 26 has one or more in-flow orifices 27 to which one or more conduits 28 are attachable for (as will be explained in greater detail below) receiving flow from the treated building. Caps or plugs or valves (not shown in the drawings) should be provided for stopping unused in-flow orifices 27.

[0019] Sub-manifold 26 is in fluid communication with manifold 20, and liquid flowing into sub-manifold 26 through inflow-orifices 27 will flow into either or both of tanks 16 or 18, if, respectively, valves 22 and/or 24 are in their open positions.

[0020] Near, but not at, the bottom end of tanks 16 and 18 are, respectively, outflow orifices 28 and 30. Outflow valves 32 and 34, respectively, control flow from tanks 16 and 18 into outflow manifold 38. In fluid communication with outflow manifold 38 is pump 40 (in the preferred embodiment, a common 110 volt hot tub motor/pump is used). Pump 40 is positioned for taking flow from tanks 16 or 18 (through outflow manifold 38, as allowed by the positions of outflow valves 32 and 34), and forcibly pumping any such fluid through an outflow conduit 42 which, as will be discussed in more detail below, is attached so as to force liquids into a buildings plumbing system.

[0021] The arrangement described above will, as will be clear upon close review, establish a fluid circuit which, assuming the various valves are properly positioned as will be described below, and the pump 40 is actuated, cause fluid from one or the other of tanks 16 or 18 to enter a building 12 (either via water meter 14, or, if the water meter is disconnected, through the lead-in conduit 44 which ordinarily carries water to the building 12). After passing through the building 12, water will return to system 10 (returning to tanks 16 and/or 18, depending on the positions of valves 22 and 24) via a return conduit 46 which will be in fluid communication between a water outlet (such as an outside hose bib of a dwelling, for example) and the sub-manifold 26, where the circuit can continue.

[0022] A discussion of the preferred method or process for cleaning the water pipe network of a home or other building will now follow.

[0023] The preferred consumable materials required are: (1) Muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid at 20% solution) ; (2) Oxidizer (sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate —conventional, swimming pool oxidizer, OXYCLEAN brand being an exemplary choice); and (3) “Shock” (such as HTH brand swimming pool shock—sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione). Alternative acid agents may be substituted for muriatic acid, including, but not limited to, acetic acid (straight vinegar has been shown to work to some degree) and an aqueous sulfamic acid solution, but one, in choosing an acid agent, must strike an acceptable compromise between handling safety, effect on plumbing components, and efficacy.

[0024] Once it has been determined that a building's water pipe system is in need of cleaning, because of mineral build-up (such as by measuring water flow against an ideal standard), the user will disconnect or otherwise isolate all ice makers, water softeners and water filters, else they may become damaged by debris which is dislodged during the cleaning process. Outflow conduit 42 is next connected to building 12's lead-in conduit 44, either via the intake side of water meter 14, or preferably, directly, with the water meter having been disconnected. Next, the user will attach as many in-flow conduits 46 (usually, simple ⅝″ garden hoses) to in-flow orifices 27 as are respectively available.

[0025] Next, fill tank 16 (both tanks 16 and 18 are 60 gallon tanks in the preferred embodiment) to approximately a ⅔ full level, and substantially fill tank 18. Open all faucets, hose bibs, etc. to which are attached in-flow conduit(s) 46. Move valves 22 and 32 to their open positions (to place tank 16 in the fluid circuit) and actuate pump 40. Once a fluid circuit flow is confirmed, one adds three gallons of muriatic solution to tank 16, followed by ½ cup of oxidizer. As fluid from tank 16 flows through building 12, and re-entered tank 16, sediment will tend to settle at the bottom of tank 16 (it is for this reason, that outflow orifices 28 and 30 are situated near, but not at the bottom of tanks 16 and 18, so as not to pump sediment back through building 12). Use of site glass 21 in the tank 16 circuit will confirm when sediment flow appears to have been exhausted. Experience teaches that the addition of oxidizer should be repeated, as above, every 20 minutes, until doing so produces no substantial, visible sediment flow. When multiple in-flow conduits 46 are connected to sub-manifold 26, and valves (not shown) are provided for selectively allowing flow into system 10 from the building 12, one may separately “flush” fluid circuits which involve each of, for example, multiple hose bibs.

[0026] Once a user is satisfied that sediment has been adequately removed, one opens bath tub and cloths washer faucets/valves and closes valve 22 to prevent return of fluid to system 10, and to discharge fluid through building 12's ordinary sewer system. At this time, one should remove faucet and washer inlet screens, as well as shower heads for cleaning. After approximately a 20 minute run of the shower(s) and the clothes washer filling to approximately a ½ full level, and with approximately ⅓ of tank 16's fluid remaining (in the treatment of a fairly typical dwelling), one stops such flow, and opens all remaining sink faucets to exhaust substantially all remaining cleaning solution from tank 16.

[0027] To begin the rinse phase of the present method, one opens valves 24 and 30 (but keep sink faucets in building 12 open). When the water in tank 18 is depleted by approximately ½ of its original volume, one adds one closes valve 24, adds one cup of “shock”, and allows all remaining rinse fluid from tank 18 to pass through building 12 and out its sewer system as above with the tank 16 fluid circuit.

[0028] Once fluid from tank 16 is exhausted, water meter connections are restored and screens, filters, ice makers, etc. are returned to their normal state.

[0029] The above-described system and method have, in experimental use to date, proven exceptionally effective in substantially reducing mineral build-up in substantially flow-impaired buildings, at costs which are mere fractions of alternative methods. Water flow rates have been returned to levels present at the time of new construction. Therefore, the present system and method represents a substantial benefit to property owners and residents in “hard water” areas.

[0030] It should be understood that certain modifications to the above system will still produce a system and associated method of use which are well within the scope of the present invention. For example, differing numbers and placements of valves may prove beneficial for certain applications. Certainly different fluid volumes for tanks 16 and 18 may be required for larger-than-normal buildings. Experience will teach that certain conditions require differing process times. Therefore, although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning mineral build-up from a building's water conduit network comprising:

a first fluid tank;

an in-flow manifold having an in-flow orifice;

a first manifold valve in fluid communication with said first fluid tank near a first end of said fluid tank and with said in-flow manifold, said first manifold valve controlling flow of fluid entering said in-flow manifold through said in-flow orifice between said in-flow manifold and said first fluid tank;

a first outflow orifice situated near a second end of said first fluid tank, said first outflow orifice being in fluid communication with a first outflow valve which controls flow of fluid from said first fluid tank out through said first outflow orifice;

a second fluid tank;

a second manifold valve in fluid communication with said second fluid tank near an end of said second fluid tank and with said in-flow manifold, said second manifold valve controlling flow of fluid entering said in-flow manifold through said in-flow orifice between said in-flow manifold and said second fluid tank;

a second outflow orifice situated near a second end of said second fluid tank, said second outflow orifice being in fluid communication with a second outflow valve which controls flow of fluid from said second fluid tank out through said second outflow orifice;

fluid pump means in fluid communication with said first and said second outflow valves for receiving fluid from said first and/or second fluid tanks; and

outflow conduit means attached to said fluid pump means configured for reversible attachment to a water pipe system inlet of a building for receiving fluid flow from said first and/or said second fluid tanks;

in-flow conduit means in fluid communication with said inflow manifold, and configured for attachment to water outflow means of said building, and when so attached, for receiving effluent fluid into said system from said building, which effluent fluid entered said building through said outflow conduit means.

2. A method for removing mineral build-up in a building's water pipe network comprising the steps of:

selecting an apparatus for cleaning mineral build-up from a building's water conduit network comprising:

a first fluid tank;

an in-flow manifold having an in-flow orifice;

a first manifold valve in fluid communication with said first fluid tank near a first end of said fluid tank and with said in-flow manifold, said first manifold valve controlling flow of fluid entering said in-flow manifold through said inflow orifice between said in-flow manifold and said first fluid tank;

a first outflow orifice situated near a second end of said first fluid tank, said first outflow orifice being in fluid communication with a first outflow valve which controls flow of fluid from said first fluid tank out through said first outflow orifice;

a second fluid tank;

a second manifold valve in fluid communication with said second fluid tank near an end of said second fluid tank and with said in-flow manifold, said second manifold valve controlling flow of fluid entering said in-flow manifold through said in-flow orifice between said in-flow manifold and said second fluid tank;

a second outflow orifice situated near a second end of said second fluid tank, said second outflow orifice being in fluid communication with a second outflow valve which controls flow of fluid from said second fluid tank out through said second outflow orifice;

fluid pump means in fluid communication with said first and said second outflow valves for receiving fluid from said first and/or second fluid tanks; and

outflow conduit means attached to said fluid pump means configured for reversible attachment to a water pipe system inlet of a building for receiving fluid flow from said first and/or said second fluid tanks;

in-flow conduit means in fluid communication with said inflow manifold, and configured for attachment to water outflow means of said building, and when so attached, for receiving effluent fluid into said system from said building, which effluent fluid entered said building through said outflow conduit means;

placing in said first fluid tank a cleaning solution;

placing in said second fluid tank a rinsing solution;

connecting said outflow conduit means to said water pipe system inlet of said building;

connecting said in-flow conduit means to said water outflow means of said building;

opening said first manifold valve and said first outflow valve;

actuating said pump means;

after circulating said cleaning solution through said building at least one circuit, closing said first manifold valve and said first outflow valve; and opening said second manifold valve and said second outflow valve.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said cleaning solution contains an effective measure of an acid agent for reacting with, and removing mineral constituents of said mineral build-up.