What will Coke do to your pipes?
A while back we tested what Drano does to your pipes over an extended period. Guys, so many people have either asked us to test Coke or have told us on other videos that they use Coke to clean out their pipes. We know Coke is corrosive, but have you ever wondered what Coke does to your plumbing pipes over time? We decided to test it out by soaking different types of pipes in Coke for 60 days. Here's what we found.
Setting Up the Experiment
We used various pipes: cast iron, steel, chrome-plated brass, copper, galvanized steel, ABS, PVC, schedule 10 PVC, rubber, and flexible drain hose from a dishwasher. To test them, we poured enough Coke to cover each pipe and left them for 60 days.
The Results
PVC Pipes: Surprisingly, no damage that we could see. The Coke didn't soften the material or affect the primer. The PVC pipes, including Schedule 10, held up really well well. It didn't cause any visible softening or structural damage to these plastic pipes. It seems that PVC pipes are quite resistant to acidic environments, which is good news for homeowners using PVC in their plumbing systems.
Steel Pipes: The black iron pipe looked funky, with a rusty appearance, but no significant damage. There were some cosmetic changes, but this didn't translate to any structural damage. It shows that while Coke can alter the appearance of steel, it doesn't necessarily compromise its strength over a short period. But it did somehow bleed some of the color out of the Coke itself.
Dishwasher Drain Hose: No visible damage or softening. These types of hoses are made from durable materials designed to withstand various liquids, so I’m not surprised that they showed no signs of degradation.
Rubber Hose: Remained intact with no softness or deterioration. Again, these hoses are made to be durable.These hoses can handle acidic substances without any immediate adverse effects.
Schedule 10 PVC: No issues here; it held up well. Just like the PVC pipes, there was no damage that we could see or feel.
ABS Pipes: As expected, no damage was observed.
Chrome-Plated Brass Pipes: The chrome plating wore off in some places, so there may be some corrosion but not severe damage. While the brass itself might not be heavily impacted, the chrome coating is susceptible to corrosion from prolonged exposure to Coke. Homeowners with chrome-plated fittings might want to be cautious about acidic exposures.
Copper Pipes: The copper looked really clean, especially on the outside, though the inside had some residue. The Coke seemed to clean off oxidation effectively. Interestingly, the copper pipes ended up cleaner than before the experiment. However, it's important to note that while the outside was gleaming, there was some residue on the inside. This dual effect of cleaning the exterior but leaving internal residues suggests that while Coke can make copper pipes look good, it might not be entirely beneficial overall.
Cast Iron Pipes: The interior showed some buildup, possibly from the coating being eaten away by the acid in the Coke. This could cause clogging over time. It's a really good reminder that while cast iron is durable, it isn't immune to the effects of prolonged exposure to acidic substances.
Galvanized Pipes: These had some pressure buildup in the jar, but no significant damage. The interior looked rough cleaned up just fine when I wiped it. This shows that while Coke can cause some temporary roughness, it doesn't result in lasting damage to galvanized pipes.
This was an interesting experiment. The only really obvious effect was on chrome-plated brass, where the plating began to wear off. Otherwise, the pipes held up surprisingly well. Guys, we thought we’d see more damage. While Coke can definitely damage your teeth, it seems to have minimal impact on plumbing pipes over 60 days.