Inlet pipe of water flush to the toilet is completely calcified!

Hello everyone,

I am looking for an affordable and presentable solution to renovate a new concealed cistern for water flushing.
….and first about the construction conditions.
We moved into the single-family house almost 25 years ago. Water hardness dH 24. During the year 2023, the water supply when flushing the toilet became less and less. In late autumn, I spoke to the plumber, he said it was due to the toilet, that everything under the toilet rim was calcified and the toilet needed to be replaced. However, the toilet had already been replaced once. I insisted that he should first check the concealed cistern.
Since now almost no water flowed for flushing, the plumber finally checked the conditions on Friday. He dismantled the toilet (it is only slightly calcified),
Cause: the water supply pipe from the cistern to the toilet is totally calcified and only fresh water flows through a minimal opening for flushing into the toilet.

Removing the lime scale from the pipe was not possible - rock hard.

We want to put descaler through the cistern into the pipe tomorrow and let it work for several days.

What to do if the lime scale does not dissolve?
What solutions are there?
The supply pipe and the concealed cistern are completely installed in a pre-wall assembly, similar to the attached file.

Does any professional know a clean, inexpensive solution?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards, Luise Müller

What to do if the lime scale does not dissolve? What solutions are there. The inlet pipe and the concealed flush tank are completely built into a stud wall, similar to the attached file. Does a professional know a clean, inexpensive solution.

Sorry, but honestly, the only thing I can think of is to redo it. If - but if the water is that hard, you have to be prepared that it will happen everywhere sooner or later - and only if it is the last piece at the inlet pipe, try it with acid. Ideally vinegar essence, otherwise diluted hydrochloric acid. And otherwise consider a water softening system. Better yet, choose and install (or have installed) a water softening system.

Sounds wilder than it is - I’d say: welcome to the club...



We were lucky that the plug came out practically without any special force - otherwise, our plumber would have first used a small drill and then started working with acids. From his point of view, a complete replacement of the flush tank unit (obviously similar to yours) was never an option.

Regarding the water hardness, I assume you live around the corner - the effect was the same for us, only it occurred after 23 years. This leads me to suspect that - just like in our case - something triggered the buildup - for us, it was an old pop rivet, which probably remained from the construction phase and then got stuck at the right spot while being flushed out. You just can’t do anything about it...

Topic water softener: no way for me - neither salt-based nor anything else. We have had a strong magnet at the inlet for many years, since then the gunk doesn’t stick and gets flushed out. I do have to replace the aerators more often because of it, but it’s worth it to me (there’s really a lot of “grit” on them...).

Hello, Installer's option completely new, chisel open the wall or reinstall in front of the partition wall, I don't even want to think about the dirt and the costs. The lime plug doesn't move an inch, he tried it with a small chisel and hammer. Now we'll first try with descaler and let it work for 2/3 days. I won't let hydrochloric acid into the bathroom. I had some very negative experiences with it a few times. What kind of magnet is that? and what does it do? where is it attached? and which aerators? best regards

What kind of magnet is this? And what does it do? Where is it attached? And which aerators?

That’s what magnets do. They attract magnetic particles. Besides that, there are miracle magnets that ionize water clockwise or counterclockwise and, thanks to quantum entanglement, make it lime-free...

We have a Magnetic Kalkumwandler for that and have been satisfied with it since its installation - opinions on it may vary, that is up to each individual.

Just google the thing, the page is very informative.

And a Perlator is the little screen on the faucet that makes the nice stream. When it is calcified, the thing sprays in all directions.