Augers, Plungers & Drain Openers

Unclog Pipes With Augers, Plungers & Drain Openers | Lowe’s

Maintaining Your Drains and Pipes

With all the water running through our pipes on a daily basis, there is always the possibility that our drains could become clogged over time. When you need to find the best drain cleaner to take on a clog, look through our Drain Cleaner and Drain Opener Buying Guide for answers. Keeping these channels clean and clear is necessary so our homes remain comfortable and functional. If you need to know how to unclog a toilet, sink or drain, Lowe's can help you find the right products and tools.

Drain Openers

Identifying the best drain cleaner for your clog will depend on what sort of blockage and drain you need it for. A kitchen drain, for example, may be clogged with food scraps or grease, while a shower drain is more likely to have a buildup of hair. You should also decide whether you need a non-corrosive drain cleaner, which will depend on the state or age of your pipes and the severity of the clog. Additionally, you have the option of using a pour bottle, a drop-in tablet or crystals. Some clogs will be too tough to clear using a chemical drain opener alone. In that case, you may need to move on to plunging or using an auger, or consult a plumber.

You can also open the drain with various tools instead of chemicals. Drain sticks are thin pieces of plastic used for pulling hair from a drain, ideally before it accumulates enough to form a blockage. A bladder drain opener expands inside the drain to create water pressure and force a clog out.

Plungers and Plumbing Tools

Every bathroom should be equipped with basic plumbing tools, such as a plunger. The best plungers are useful, simple tools that can often dislodge materials clogging a toilet or drain by creating downward pressure on the blockage. Some clogs will quickly be cleared from just a few plunges.  With the right tools and maintenance, you can keep your kitchen and bathrooms in good working order.

Hand and Machine Augers

The drain auger is used to clear hair and other buildup from your pipes. It works well for difficult clogs and larger pipes. If you've already tried plunging and chemical drain openers on the clog, you may need to move on to using an auger. Augers generally consist of a flexible wire and handle. Hand augers are ideal for clearing toilet and drain clogs. Machine augers are best suited for more heavy-duty drain cleaning. They are ideal for tackling a pool clog, as well as for industrial usage.

Additional Plumbing Help

Before working on a plumbing issue, you may want to familiarize yourself with our Plumbing Repair Glossary. This will help you understand the problem and potential solutions. It may also make finding the right parts easier as you navigate the steps to clear your drain or pipe.