Urinal mineral build-up etc.

[Dennis]

Any chemical suggestions for removing mineral deposits or softening minerals for cable removal?
Also are you having problems getting a cable through any of the newer water saver urinals? (P-trap in uint)
Dennis... www.dennishoover.com

[Jim]

Try these people. I have seen them at a few shows.

http://www.crystalenv.com/

[wmcisewer]

Two common chemicals that work on urinals
1) muriatic acid
this is dangerous and should only be used by someone that is trained in the proper dilution procedures. The fumes given off when mixed with urine minerals is very strong! It should only be used on plastic drains, it will eat at copper and other metal pipes.

2) vinegar
this works great on urinals and shower drains! It softens up the mineral deposits and makes small cable machines and even the little hand crank ones fly through the blockage. It is safe and eco green.
A fellow plumber called me for help on a shower drain packed with mineral deposits that he had tried for over two hours to snake out. He told me he tried every small machine including an electric jetter and could not get through it.
I removed the standing water, poured 1 gallon of vinegar in the shower, took a smoke break, and returned to an empty shower. We ran the small cable machine and were done in less than 15 minutes including smoke break.