We have hard water and a softener but still have some stuck shutoff valves. I have heard that cycling them 2 or 3 times a year is recommended to avoid this and have done that on some but others in remote locations have been missed. What's the recommended frequency?
I have read of adding a couple gallons of vinegar to the water heater tank and running that through the pipes until it is smelled at the faucets, letting it sit for some time, and then flushing. Seems like a good plan but I would like some confirmation of that. I know vinegar works good for plugged shower heads and such like.
But this doesn't get the cold valves. I could rig up some sort of similar tank or even route the water heater output to the cold side somehow I suppose. Have thought of shutting off the water and pouring a bit of vinegar into the shutoff valves but I would need to do each one. Maybe a little easier than replacing them all (they are soldered on) but still tedious.
Any good options for this? I have read some "loosen the packing nut" and "apply penetrating oil to the stem" recommendations but I am fairly sure the issue is deeper in the valve.
I have read of adding a couple gallons of vinegar to the water heater tank and running that through the pipes until it is smelled at the faucets, letting it sit for some time, and then flushing. Seems like a good plan but I would like some confirmation of that. I know vinegar works good for plugged shower heads and such like.
But this doesn't get the cold valves. I could rig up some sort of similar tank or even route the water heater output to the cold side somehow I suppose. Have thought of shutting off the water and pouring a bit of vinegar into the shutoff valves but I would need to do each one. Maybe a little easier than replacing them all (they are soldered on) but still tedious.
Any good options for this? I have read some "loosen the packing nut" and "apply penetrating oil to the stem" recommendations but I am fairly sure the issue is deeper in the valve.