Tub Drain Buying Guide: 5 Types of Drains for Your Bathtub


57" Erica Cast Iron Clawfoot Tub with Imperial Feet with Tub Drain in Brushed Gold 57" Erica Cast Iron Clawfoot Tub with Imperial Feet with Tub Drain in Brushed Gold

Feeling drained by your search for the right drain? We’ve got you covered.

Much like bathroom drains, you can find a variety of styles of tub drains. Before you select your drain style, you need to check the local state and city codes to determine whether you will need the functionality of a more complex drain with overflow openings.

Lift and Turn Drain


Lift and turn drains are exactly what they sound like. Using a small knob, you lift and turn to open the drain, and to close it, you turn the knob in the opposite direction until it goes down. Simple, inexpensive, and easy to install, this is a popular type of drain used in tubs today, compatible with a majority of styles.

Our available lift and turn drains include styles with an adapter sleeve and an extended swivel head in finishes to match your bathroom accents.

Lift & Turn Tub Drain with Adapter Sleeve in Brushed Gold

Pop-Up Drain


If you’re familiar with bathroom sink pop-ups, this tub pop-up drain looks very similar. Operated using a lever on the overflow plate, when moved, a rocker arm in the overflow drain pipe pivots, ultimately pressing it down to active the stopper. While inexpensive, this type of drain can be quite tricky to install and difficult to keep clean.

Pop-Up Tub Drain in Chrome
Pop-Up Tub Drain in Chrome
Pop-Up Tub Drain
Extended Press Type Pop-Up Bathroom Drain in Oil Rubbed Bronze
Extended Press Type Pop-Up Bathroom Drain
Alcove Tub Pop-Up Drain & Overflow Cover in Chrome
Alcove Tub Pop-Up Drain & Overflow Cover
Mushroom Pop-Up Straight Tub Drain in Polished Brass
Mushroom Pop-Up Straight Tub Drain
Pop-Up Tub Drain with Hub Adapter in Oil Rubbed Bronze
Pop-Up Tub Drain with Hub Adapter

Cable Drain


Cable drains utilize a metal cable that runs along the outside of the pipes to the drain. Using a simple knob, you can control the opening and closing of your tub drain with ease.

Find PVC and ABS cable drains available in multiple finishes.

PVC Cable Drain & Overflow for 17" in Brushed Gold

Straight Drain

Straight drains are installed and act essentially in the same way as sink drains. Where sink drains connect to P-traps beneath the sink or countertop, straight tub drains connect directly to a hub adaptor or metal drain pipe in the floor.

Installation is fairly simple and can be performed by most DIYers. Mushroom straight drains and lift and turn straight drains are available in many finishes and styles to complement any décor.

Extended Straight Drain

The extended straight drain is available in three options: pop-up with daisy wheel overflow, pop up with standard overflow, or lift and turn drain with daisy wheel overflow. These drains are used with freestanding tubs of varying styles and materials. Since this drain is external, meaning all of the pipes are visible, you should search for a finish that will match or complement the existing bathroom finishes.

Each of our extended straight drains feature an exclusive Signature Hardware design that can be opened to prevent overflow water from spilling onto the floor or closed to achieve greater water depth.

The swivel head feature on this drain makes it very versatile, as it can be paired with most freestanding tubs, regardless of tub shape and thickness. The drain pipes can be cut to length for a perfect fit for your application.

Extended Pop-Up Tub Drain with Swivel Head, Standard Overflow & 1-1/2" Tubing in Black

Tower Drain

Tower drains are used with clawfoot tubs with overflow openings. These drains have a pop-up release that is activated by a lever on the top of the drain pipe. Tower drains are usually placed at the back of the tub, so drain location will determine if this drain is a good option for you.

Accessories


For drains without a built-in stopper, you’ll need to add on a separate tub stopper to keep the water from draining during baths.

If your tub features an overflow drain, consider a stylish overflow cover. These allow more water in your tub, with some options including a convenient holder for the rubber stopper.

Alcove Tub Drain & Trip Lever Overflow Cover in Oil Rubbed Bronze
Alcove Tub Drain & Trip Lever Overflow Cover - Oil Rubbed Bronze
Alcove Tub Drain & Trip Lever Overflow Cover
Overflow Cover Plate with Single Screw in Brushed Gold
Overflow Cover Plate with Single Screw
Daisy Wheel Overflow Cover with Bolt in Oil Rubbed Bronze
Daisy Wheel Overflow Cover with Bolt
Overflow Cover Plate with Two Screws in Brushed Nickel
Overflow Cover Plate with Two Screws
Heavy Duty Overflow Cover with Bolt in Polished Brass
Heavy Duty Overflow Cover with Bolt
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