So you’ve got a clogged drain, and you’re looking for a quick solution. There are tons of ways to unclog a drain—from boiling hot water to baking soda to vinegar—but one of the most common myths among homeowners is pouring Cola down the drain.
It seems like a simple solution, right? Cola: The drink that brings people together, and also the stuff that can make your bathroom floor look like an episode of “Dirty Jobs.” So what exactly does science say about this? Is there any real evidence that it works? And are there other solutions available if you want to keep your bathroom clean? Well, this is actually one of those old wives’ tales that just isn’t true—and, in fact, could be dangerous if done incorrectly.
In this article, we’re going to break down why pouring cola down your drain won’t actually unclog it, and we’ll tell you about the best ways to get rid of clogs so you don’t have this problem again!
What’s the matter with Cola to unclog a drain?
There’s nothing wrong with Cola to unclog a drain.
It’s a fact that Coca-Cola is one of the most common home improvement tips for clogged drains. This is because it contains phosphoric acid, which helps break down soap scum and other gunk in your pipes.
However, the acidity of Coke, which is made from carbonated water, sugar, and phosphoric acid, isn’t strong enough to dissolve hair and other gunk that can build up in your sink or shower. And even if it did dissolve those substances, cola would have trouble getting past the pipes themselves—they’re not designed to handle acidic liquids.
But if you’re looking for a natural way to unclog your drains without using harsh chemicals or paying for expensive drain cleaning services, grab yourself a bottle of Coca-Cola and get to work!
How to Unclog a Drain with Cola?
Using cola to unclog a drain is a common household hack that is sometimes suggested as an alternative to harsh chemical drain cleaners.
While cola can sometimes help, it is less effective than specialized drain cleaning products. However, if you want to learn how to unclog a drain with cola and give it a try, here’s a basic method to unclog a drain with coca cola:
Gather your materials.
You’ll need a bottle or can of cola (preferably regular cola, not diet or sugar-free), a kettle or boiling water, and a plunger (optional).
Clear the area around the drain.
Remove any standing water from the sink or bathtub. Also, remove any debris or visible blockage near the drain opening.
Heat the Cola.
Pour the Cola into a heat-safe container and heat it up on the stove or in the microwave until it’s warm but not boiling.
Pour the cola down the drain.
Carefully pour the warm cola directly into the clogged drain. Ensure that the cola covers the entire area of the clog. Let it sit for about 1 hour. The acidity in the cola may help dissolve minor clogs.
Flush with hot water.
After the cola has had time to work, boil a kettle or pot of water. Carefully pour the boiling water down the drain to remove any dissolved debris. Be cautious not to burn yourself when handling boiling water.
Repeat if necessary
If the drain is still clogged, you can repeat the process once or twice to see if it improves. However, if the clog persists, it’s best to try a different method, like repiping a house or contacting a professional plumber in Atlanta.
Is Cola Really Effective?
We all want to believe that cola is an effective way to unclog the drain with cola, but the truth is that it’s just not.
The reason why this myth persists is that cola contains phosphoric acid, which does, in fact, dissolve certain types of blockages.
Cola doesn’t actually dissolve hair. It’s more like a temporary solution but can unclog drains for a bit.
The thing is, cola isn’t really effective at dissolving hair in the drain.
If you want to get rid of clogs in your drain, you need something that will melt the hair and grease that has built up over time. The acidity in soda can help dissolve small bits of food but not the big stuff.
So if you want to ensure your pipes stay clear, you can try other best drain clog removal methods.
3 Conditions Under Which Cola Works
Cola may work under specific conditions for minor clogs or as a temporary solution. Here are some scenarios where cola might have some effectiveness in unclogging drains. But, If you have a severe clog or a full blockage, you’ll need to call a professional repiping company for help.
Mild organic clogs
When you’re dealing with a mild organic clog, Cola is your best bet. It’s not going to remove the blockage completely—and it won’t work on anything worse than a mild clog—but it can get things flowing again.
Partial blockages
Cola can help clear out partial blockages and get your drain flowing again.
Maintenance and odor control
Cola can be used as a maintenance method to help prevent minor build-up and control unpleasant odors in drains.
5 Best Drain Clogs Solutions
Drain clogs can be a pain and are not always easy to fix. That’s why we’ve gathered our top 6 best drain clog solutions for you here.
No matter what kind of drain clog you’re dealing with, there’s a solution for it, and we’re here to help you dig all the details you need!
Use a Plunger
Did you know that, in addition to being a great way to get rid of your enemies, a plunger is also an excellent solution for clogged drains? That’s right: just plunge away, and you’ll see your clog disappear.
Wondering “how to use a plunger?” A plunger creates suction, pulling the water and gunks down into the pipe below. It’s not a perfect process—sometimes you need to go back and forth several times to clear out all the gunk—but it’s still a good way to get rid of smaller clogs.
The only problem with plungers is that they’re not always effective on larger clogs, so sometimes you might have better luck using something else (like one of these solutions).
Try a Drain Snake
This is similar to the plunger method: stick it in, twist it around, and pull out whatever junk clogs your pipes. But this time, instead of pushing down with all your might (and then trying not to slip and fall), you just pull out any stuck clogs.
A Mix of Baking Soda and Vinegar
This solution is simple, but it works. Just pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain and then pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar down on top of it. Let this mixture sit for a few minutes before you run hot water down the drain to wash away any residue or buildup. The fizzing reaction that takes place will help dislodge any clogs in your pipes. You can also use this solution to clean out the garbage disposal by pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar into the disposal and turning it on for a few seconds before running water through it again to flush out any remaining debris.
In addition to being a great drain clog solution, this combination is also good for cleaning other surfaces around your home, like tubs and showers, because it helps remove soap scum from tile grout lines as well as mold stains from shower curtains!
Buy Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners are a popular solution for clearing clogs and getting your drains working again. They work by breaking down the buildup that’s causing the blockage in your pipes, allowing them to flow freely again. The chemical reacts with the blockage and dissolves it, allowing water to flow freely again. This type of cleaner works well for simple clogs such as hair, soap scum, and other debris that have collected in your pipes over time. These products come in many different forms and can be purchased at any hardware store or home improvement center.
However, these clogs will not solve more serious problems, such as tree roots growing through your pipes or grease build-up from cooking over time.
Homeowners should only use chemical cleaners because they are very dangerous if mishandled. You should wear protective clothing like gloves and goggles when using them to prevent any accidental splashing on skin or eyes, which could result in burns or blindness if not carefully managed!
Pour Hot Water
If you don’t want to use chemicals, try pouring boiling water into your drain to clear out any debris that may have clogged there over time. Make sure you don’t use boiling water directly from the stovetop, though—you’ll need to boil water in an electric kettle first so it’s not too hot to handle when pouring it into your sink drain!
Get Professional Assistance
If you have tried chemical drain cleaners and other methods that did not work, you may need professional assistance with this problem instead! A local plumber for Drain Cleaning and Clog Removal Services can help you solve this issue by using specialized equipment to clear out whatever is causing your drains to become blocked so that water flows freely again without further issues! Plumbers usually charge anywhere between $100-$200 per hour, depending on the situation.
15 Additional Tips For Preventing Kitchen Drain Clogs
When it comes to clogs, there’s nothing worse than your kitchen sink.
The last thing you want is to get home after a long day at work and have to deal with a clogged drain. It can be frustrating and time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be!
If you know what to look out for, you can prevent clogs before they happen. We’ve got some tips for preventing kitchen drain clogs that will help keep your pipes clear so that you don’t have any issues in the future.
- Keep your sink clean.
- Grease the pipes
- Don’t use too much soap
- Use a sink strainer to catch food particles.
- Scrape plates into the trash before rinsing.
- Properly dispose of cooking oils and grease.
- Run hot water while using the garbage disposal.
- Avoid putting fibrous or starchy foods down the disposal.
- Regularly clean your drains with hot water and baking soda or vinegar.
- Dispose of coffee grounds in the trash, not down the sink.
- Avoid putting non-food items down the drain.
- Educate family members on proper drain usage.
- Use a plunger (if all else fails)
- Remove hair from your drain as soon as possible with tongs or scissors.
- Call a professional Drain Cleaning and Clog Removal expert if you need help.
Call a Professional Drain Clog and Toilet Clog Cleaning and Removal Expert in North Atlanta!
You’re not alone.
You’ve been trying to get the slow drain in your kitchen drains and bathtub to work properly for weeks now, but it just won’t budge. You’ve tried everything—plunging it, pouring down liquid drain cleaner in the hopes that it’ll dissolve whatever’s clogging up your pipes, even going so far as to try a homemade solution of baking soda and vinegar. And still nothing!
It’s time to get help from a professional plumber.
If you’re in the North Atlanta area and have a clogged drain or toilet, call the Clog Dawg Plumbing & Hydrojetting Inc.
The Clog Dawg Plumbing & Hydrojetting Inc is here to help! We are experts in drain and toilet cleaning and removal.
Whether it’s a Drain Clogs in Marietta or a busted pipe, we can do it all! We’ve covered everything: hydrojetting services, water heater repair and installation, sewer cleaning services (including video inspection), grease trap cleaning and maintenance… repiping costs, and even toilet repair.
We know how frustrating it can be when your home plumbing starts acting up and stops working—especially if you’re trying to get ready for work, school, or if you have a big project due at work. Our team of experienced plumbers, hydrojetting, and drain cleaning professionals have years of experience dealing with all types of clogs and clog-related problems. We can diagnose the problem, figure out what caused the clog, and fix it quickly so that your plumbing system works again like new.
As local repiping companies in Marietta, we work with both residential and commercial customers, so no matter if you stay in an apartment building or run a business in North Atlanta, we can help!
When you choose our plumbing services, you’ll receive the following:
– A free consultation with one of our experienced technicians who will come to your home within an hour’s notice to determine what has to be fixed, how long it will going to take, and how much repiping cost you;
– Free estimates with no hidden fees;
– A guarantee that we do not overcharge for our services or use inferior equipment;
– Professional service from start to finish, with all work done by certified plumbers
So what are you waiting for? Do you need professional clog removal and repiping services from your local plumber in North Atlanta and the surrounding area? Call us today at (404) 998-1967—we’ll get right back to you!