I discovered that Klein Tools launched a new “drain snake auger hair clog removal tool” (model 53020) on Amazon.
There are a number of hair clog drain clearing tools at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other home centers. The new Klein tool is familiar but also seems to combine features from a couple of different design approaches.
The starter set comes with a rotating handle and 3 barbed refills. I couldn’t find any info on where you can get more refills.
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Each of the included 3 snakes features 18 inches of reach.
Klein says that the dual action tip has micro-hooks that grab while the barbs pull, helping to remove tough drain clogs.
Price: $12
I’m reminded of the Drain Weasel. Amazon has a handle with 5 refills for $20, and Home Depot has a handle with 2-refills for $7.
There’s also the Zip-It barbed tool, which doesn’t require a handle.
Side note – does this type of tool work as well as advertised?
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Will
I’m a plumber, and I recommend the Drain Weasel to each of my customers.
TomD
I don’t know if the rotating handle helps but these things work if you have long haired people in the house. Try and see!
Jared
I’ve also used the non-rotating variety to good effect. Conceptually, a rotating version seems like it ought to work even better.
My one reservation is just the necessity of spending that much to solve the problem if you’re not a plumber. The barbed non-rotating-wire variety you just stick down the sink and pull up works pretty darn well and is so cheap you can buy one to unstick a drain and then toss it rather than keeping it around for next time.
If you need that regularly – then an upgrade seems warranted. If you might have to unstick a drain once a year… why invest this much?
Aaron SD
Zipit works pretty well for me. Mine is going on 10 years or so. Some barbs are bent but overall works well pulling hair out.
I’m not sure I’d like the micro part as that looks hard to clean. I suspect as much because they sell replacements.
Dave
I’ve used something similar to the Zip-Its, I think they’re called Rip Stix or some such. Okay for small hair clogs, I usually try to keep a few on my truck and give one along with a quick tutorial to any of my tenants that call me out on a hair clog in a bathroom sink or shower.
Thebear
This makes absolutely no sense, how many people are going to drop those down the drain or in the toilet after using? There are decent hand/electric drill powered reusable augers for less than 30$ and they are so much better than this garbage. Klein should be ashamed…
Rob H
This is mainly intended for sink drain use. These types are not really snakes. Someone would have to try awfully hard to “drop” one down a drain. They are long and somewhat stiff.
That said, I have gotten one of the zip it type units hung up in a drain before and was pretty stressed trying to get it back out for a few minutes. Decided not to use one of that type in our shower again.
Jerry
I agree, these are for unclogging a sink that has the trap plugged up with a wad of hair. In many of these instances, a full sized snake is not only massive overkill, but is much harder to use. I use one of these pretty often as my wife and daughters wash their hair in the sink. Just poke it down the drain, pull it out and the sink works again.
CA
I could have used one the other day on a shower trap but all I had was one of those spring claw grabbing things. It worked but I think one of these would have gave me a longer reach and better clearing.
Chris D
I have a wife and two daughters. Highly recommend the Zip-it. I’ve had the same one for years and have to zip the shower drain about once per year.
Phil H.
I just pull the trap. Clean it back to spotless. No tools required. You just never know what else you’ll find in sink traps, like a penny, or Bobby Pins. Don’t ask me how I know that.
Andy
Unclogging drains is probably 10% of my job. The most entertaining thing I’ve found is not one, not 2, but 3 toothbrushes shoved into the bathroom sink. Normally I would have been pretty annoyed by that, but in this instance those 3 toothbrushes kept all the marbles that were ALSO there from going into the plumbing proper, and I was able to just shop vac those out. The good times never end when every one of your tenants has at least one young child 😛
TomD
A friend had a whole display of plumbing retrievals – the thing he hated the most were “sewer mice” as people should know better than to flush tampons.
Bonnie
I used these regularly when I had long hair. Can’t easily get to the trap in most showers which is where the clogs end up.
Jim Felt
While I’m not particularly against brand extension in general but this seems both out of and beneath their lane. Seems an odd combination of opportunity vs. low bar of entry and any real expectations.
Am I being too curmudgeonly?
S
I’ve got a working theory that Lowe’s is pushing Klein to be to them as Milwaukee is to home depot– where it’s a trusted non-house brand that has an variety of tools in every departments tool section.
Bonnie
On one hand I agree. But on the other I think Klein extending from electrical into plumbing makes pretty good sense if they actually commit to it.
BG100
Zip it: absolutely they work as well as they claim. A relative of mine that used to manage hotels gave me a few Zip it’s, and I was converted instantly. My wife has very thick, long hair and I always keep some around now.
Kyle
I’ve carried a Zip-It tool around for years. Very handy for cleaning the first few inches of tub drains that you can’t reach through the overflow, and for slipping in to grab gunk from bathroom vanity pop ups/tailpieces. Useful to have around although it’s not pleasant to use, the big hooks are prone to snagging in unhelpful ways. Never tried a Drain Weasel style, might pick one up.
Doresoom
I’ve used both the Drain Weasel and the Zip It with good results.
The Drain Weasel clogs up quickly with hair if there’s a lot of it though, and they’re impossible to clean.
The Zip It doesn’t grab everything as well as the Drain Weasel, but gunk and hair can be removed from it easily so you can perform multiple passes during the snaking process.
I throw both of them away when I’m done, they’re just not worth cleaning well enough to store.
I’ve also used a long zip tie in a pinch. Just notch it with a sharp knife diagonally to resemble the Zip It and go from there.
JayS
I’ve used a Drain Weasel once. It worked very well for all the hair clogging the drain but I’m not entirely convinced on the rotating aspect. I might try a zip it next time I’m in need.
Lyle
These kind of tools really do work for me. I just used a similar one yesterday for a slow draining above the counter sink.
PW
I’ve used several different brands of the handle-less type. I’ve found them generally pretty effective for clearing hair-based clogs out of sinks or even shower drains.
I have found a difference between brands – some of them use a softer plastic that IME is more likely to lose “teeth” and be less effective.
Not sure how the rotational aspect would assist, but I’d be willing to try.
I’m not so sure why I’d pick a random, imported Klein-badged option over a USA made option for less money though. Like many of these Klein badge jobs I’m left scratching my head.
MtnRanch
I used to automatically assume that any tool marked “Klein” was a high quality, American made product so I could just buy it knowing it would be great. Now that Klein seems to be in a rush to the bottom, I can no longer make that assumption.
Walt Bordett
I have used the Zip-Its. My experience is the same as others; they work but are prone to Jamming in the drain. I am going to try Drain Weasel when I next need one.
If you can get the sink pop-up out, a long screwdriver or a huge set of tweezers works even better than a Zip-It.
I am unlikely to spring for the Klein tool as I already own a drill powered snake.
Yadda
In a pinch you can use a long zip tie to do the same thing by cutting the notches on each side. Not as good, but definitely useful if you have nothing else.
Unmesh Agarwala
Stuart,
Your text for the Drain Weasel correctly states that the Home Depot sold one has two refills but the clickable button says three refills
Stuart
oops. Thanks – *fixed*!