Sink and shower drains keep water flowing cleanly out of bathrooms, kitchens, tubs and utility floors, with the right pick coming down to fixture type and closure style. At Ace Hardware, available options may include pop-up sink drains, tub trim kits, shower pan drains, floor drains and replacement parts from Sioux Chief, Keeney and other brands.
Choosing the Right Drain for Your Fixture
The right drain depends on where it's installed, how you want to open and close it and the finish you need. Use this table to narrow the category.
| Drain type | Primary use | Common closure style | Typical materials |
|---|
| Sink / lavatory drain | Bathroom and kitchen sinks | Pop-up, lift-and-turn, plug | Brass trim, stainless, ABS |
| Bathtub drain | Standard tub installations | Trip lever, foot lok, roll ball | Chrome brass trim, PVC |
| Shower drain | Shower floors and pans | Fixed grate, linear, tile-in | ABS, PVC, stainless |
| Floor drain | Utility, basement, commercial | Open grate, bell trap | PVC, polypropylene |
Sink and Lavatory Drains for Bathrooms and Kitchens
Sink drain choice typically comes down to closure style, finish and whether it's a single or double sink setup. Selections may include:
- Pop-up and push pop-up assemblies: designed for bathroom lavatory sinks with a clean, hands-free closure.
- Lift-and-turn and plug styles: often used as simpler replacements for worn pop-up mechanisms.
- Single and double sink kits: can group strainer, tailpiece and connectors for kitchen installs.
- Finish options: chrome, brushed nickel, matte brass and oil-rubbed bronze can support matching existing faucet trim.
Pair the drain with the right basket strainers for kitchen sinks to round out the install.
Bathtub Drains and Trim Kits
Tub drains combine a working stopper mechanism with visible trim, so both function and finish matter. Available options may include:
- Trip lever kits: intended for tubs with an overflow-mounted lever that raises and lowers the stopper.
- Foot lok stop and lift-n-turn drains: designed for simpler tub setups without a trip lever linkage.
- Roll ball and triad assemblies: often used as direct replacements for common factory tub drains.
- Half packs and face plates: if the underlying plumbing is sound but the finish is worn, a trim-only kit can help refresh the look without a full tear-out.
For mechanism repairs, drain valves and replacement pull rods are typically sold separately.
Shower Drains for Pans, Tile and Linear Installs
Shower drains vary by pan type and finish profile. Common picks include:
- Standard round shower drains: for prefab shower pans in chrome ABS or polished finishes.
- Tile-in and tile ring drains: designed for custom tile shower floors with a flush, low-profile look.
- Linear and square drains: often used in curbless and modern walk-in shower designs.
- Shower pan liners: can support waterproofing under tile builds before the drain is set.
Match the drain with the right drain grates and covers to finish the look.
Floor Drains, Trap Seals and Accessories
For utility, basement and commercial floors, the focus shifts to drainage capacity and backflow protection. Selections typically include:
- General purpose and bell trap floor drains: for basements, laundry rooms and utility spaces.
- Backwater devices and trap seal inserts: can help reduce sewer gas and backflow in floor drains that dry out.
- Pop-up pull rods and ball rods: intended for repairing existing sink and tub mechanisms.
- Tub box enclosures: often used to protect overflow access during rough-in or repair.
For clearing slow drains, drain cleaners can help break up buildup, and outdoor runoff often calls for catch basins and covers.
What Size Drains Do You Need for Sinks and Tubs?
Bathroom lavatory drains are typically 1-1/4 in. while kitchen sinks usually take a 1-1/2 in. or 3-1/2 in. basket drain. Bathtubs commonly use a 1-1/2 in. drain, and shower pans are typically 2 inches. Always match the new drain to the existing tailpiece or pan opening before buying.
Shop Drains Near You at Ace Hardware
Order online for fast home delivery or store pickup, with sink, tub, shower and floor drains available for your next project. You can also shop drains near you at your neighborhood Ace, where our team can help you match drain size, closure style and finish to your existing fixture.
