Will Coca Cola Unclog a Drain?

A Plumber Snakes a Bathroom Sink.

Will Coca Cola unclog a drain?

Clogged sinks or tubs can be annoying, but you may have some common household items available that will provide effective clog removal. One of those items might be in your refrigerator right now—Coca Cola. That’s right, Coca Cola, or any cola product, can be used to unclog drains. These drinks are full of phosphoric acid, which is a great cleaner. Colas are actually a better choice than a much more caustic and corrosive off-the-shelf chemical drain cleaner. 

To clear a drain with cola, you’ll need at least a two-liter bottle of the drink. It needs to be at room temperature before you pour it down the drain. Once it’s reached room temperature, you pour it down the drain and let it fizz for about an hour so the phosphoric acid does its job. Colas are also good for removing lime scale. Make sure to rinse your drains well to get rid of the syrupy residue after the clog is removed. If you have stubborn clogs or your drains are damaged and need expert drain repair and clog removal in West Los Angeles, CA, you can always count on the team at Sunset West Plumbing & Rooter Inc.. Get help today by calling (310) 454-2010.

How do you unclog drains?

Drains can get clogged in a variety of ways from hair to grease to mineral build-up in your pipes. Clog removal can be a task you can perform yourself or you can let professionals like those at Sunset West Plumbing & Rooter Inc. help you. When you do unclog a drain yourself, it’s best not to use off-the-shelf chemical drain cleaners. Repeated use will damage your pipes. It’s preferable to try the following methods:

  • Boiling water often works on simple clogs. Just heat water to boiling and pour it down the drain after removing as much standing water as you can. Pour salt down the drain beforehand for extra help. Rinse with hot water after the clog is cleared. 
  • For kitchen sinks, check your garbage disposal, as clogged disposal can sometimes cause water to back up in your sink. Run the disposal to see if you can clear the clog. Otherwise, you may need to have your disposal repaired or unclogged.
  • Use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or baking soda and salt. When using vinegar, pour the mixture down the drain, and after it stops bubbling, wait 15 minutes and rinse with hot water. When using salt, you’ll have to wait a few hours to allow it to work before rinsing with boiling water.
  • Plungers are very useful tools to have around for clog removal. To create a tight seal before plunging, fill the sink with enough water to cover the bell of the plunger. 
  • Use a bent wire clothes hanger to remove hair and other debris from the pipe. 

How do I unclog a drain naturally?

When you have minor clogs, it’s better to use natural remedies for clog removal rather than harsh chemical cleaners that can damage your pipes. Baking soda and vinegar are two of the better natural ingredients for cleaning clogs. For most drains, you need a mixture of 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar. All you need to do is simply pour boiling water down the drain and then add the baking soda and vinegar. Let them bubble and fizz for about 15 minutes before rinsing the drain with more boiling water. Baking soda and salt also work to clear drains.

What is the best drain clog remover?

While baking soda, vinegar, and hot water are some of the best natural drain cleaners. But, they only work for minor clogs. Tougher clogs will require stronger materials. While it’s best not to use corrosive cleansers, there are stronger cleansers on the market today that will not harm your pipes. For clog removal using an off-the-shelf cleanser, look for an enzymatic cleanser like Bio Clean. If you want to avoid cleansers altogether, you might want to buy a manual plumber’s auger or snake. You still have to be careful not to damage your pipes using snake tools but snakes are the preferred tool plumbers use to remove clogs. With cleansers and tools follow all directions.  

Removing clog in sink

For clog removal in kitchen and bathroom sinks, probably one of the best tools to have around is a plunger. For best effect with a plunger, fill the sink with water until it covers the plunger’s bell. You’ll have to make vigorous strokes with the plunger until you hear the clog get suctioned from the drain.

What destroys hair in a drain?

In showers, tubs, and bathroom sinks, hair is often the main culprit that causes clogs. Hair is also tough to remove as it clumps with soap scum and other materials to create a clog. While the most effective way to remove hair from a drain is to snake it out with an auger, once again, for a natural way to dissolve hair, use baking soda and vinegar. Of course, chemical drain cleaners will work, but you still risk damaging your pipes. 

Clog removal washing machine

Clog removal for washers is similar to other clog cleaning methods. If the clog is deeper than the trap, you can clear it with baking soda and hot water or use an auger. Tougher clogs might require a high-pressure wash with a hydrojetting system. If it’s the trap that’s clogged, you will have to unseal the bottom of the trap to allow the water and dirt to drain out. 

Sewer clog remover

A sewer stoppage will typically require the help of a plumber. Clog removal often requires the line to be snaked but serious clogs or blockages like tree roots might require the plumber to use a hydrojetter which sends bursts of water at high pressure to break through the blockage. To find the clog, plumbers may have to send a camera down the line.

Hair Being Removed From a Drain.

Drain clog removal service

If you are contending with a major clog and need help fast with clog removal in West Los Angeles, CA, look to the professionals at Sunset West Plumbing & Rooter Inc.. We’ll get your clogs clear fast and effectively. Get help today by calling (310) 454-2010.