Need a new shower drain cover? These range from simple covers over the pipe opening to drain protectors that can keep hair and soap scum out of your shower drain to avoid stubborn clogs.
This small investment can save you a lot of money in professional drain opening services. Combine it with other drain stoppers and drain baskets, and you’re on another level.
Whether you’re looking for a basic aesthetic drain cover or one that offers straining protection, we’ve got you covered in this article.
In this PlumbingNav guide, we cover:
What is a shower drain cover?
What are the different types of shower drain covers?
What do you look for when choosing a shower drain cover?
This is the best “conventional” cover most showers will feature. This flat-style drain cover has a polished chrome finish fits a 4” drain. Connect the cover to the drain using two snap-in prongs. The cover contains 10 – 14 comparatively large openings in an attractive pattern that capture hair to a limited degree using hooks.
A conventional cover will simply guard the opening of a drain opening with large slats. However, a shower drain strainer, also known as a drain catcher, acts as a tub drain protector by catching foreign items and hair before they wash down the shower’s floor drain. It will still allow water to escape down the drain for proper water drainage.
The cover can ensure peak performance of your drain pipe and potentially prevent a clogged drain, which can also lead to pipe damage during clearing.
The most common items your strainer will collect include hair and soap scum buildup, along with small items that you don’t want to fall down the drain, such as toothpaste caps or razor blades.
You remove the junk the strainer catches as needed (in some cases, after every use).
The strainer usually consists of a thin covering with numerous holes throughout it for the water. A cover simply sits on top of your drain as opposed to other items that include a flange or drain strainer that fits into your drain.
A drain cover can pair with a drain stopper as long as the stopper doesn’t have a knob that protrudes from the drain, such as with pop-up drains. This will prevent the cover from going into place. Shower drain covers work best when paired with a flat drain.
You may not necessarily need a drain cover if you have an adequate drain assembly. However, it can come in handy as an extra precaution, especially in households with long hair.
Shower drain covers do not act as a drain stopper. A stopper is used to hold water in the tub or faucet, and in some cases also prevent sewage backup in areas with excessive rain. Keep in mind that your shower drain cover will be different than your kitchen sink hole cover since the drains are different sizes.
What Are The Different Types of Shower Drain Covers?
Snap In Shower Drain Cover
A snap in shower drain cover, as the name suggests, snaps into place for easy installation. You can also find replacement snap in shower drain covers with adjustable sizes. These can fit any drain in your home.
While not as secure as snap in options, these covers are easier to install and replace. They are also easier for accessible-friendly bathrooms and for regular cleaning.
Screw In Shower Drain Cover
A screw in shower drain cover is a cover that screws into place for optimal stability in a linear drain. Installation is still easy, but it’s not quite as user-friendly as snap in covers.
These drain covers have slotted patterns. You can find heavy-duty options that go through an additional sand casting process. Designer covers are square instead of circular.
Suction Cup Drain Cover
You may be able to find a suction cup drain cover that attaches to your tub with suction cups. These tend to take up more space and protrude higher than other options, making them less common.
What Do You Look For In Choosing A Shower Drain Cover?
Material
A plastic shower drain cover is inexpensive and won’t succumb to corrosion.
A metal shower drain cover made from brass, steel, or copper, is stronger and tends to last longer. However, metal shower drain covers tend to cost more. (You’ll replace them less often, tho.)
Finish
The finish on your shower drain cover should match the rest of your design aesthetic with the following options:
Matte black shower drain cover
Oil rubbed bronze shower drain cover
Brushed nickel shower drain cover
Chrome shower drain cover
Stainless steel shower drain cover
Copper shower drain cover
These finish types will allow you to match the faucet finishes in your bathroom, with brushed nickel and satin-nickel being the most common.
Drain Size
The cover you buy must fit into your drain. The standard shower drain size is 4.25”. If you have a different drain size, you will need to be mindful while shopping.
Watch How to Measure a Shower Drain Cover:
Drain Shape
Most of the drain covers you find will be circular. However, what if you have a square shower floor drain? (Yep, that’s a thing.)
Depending on the cover, you may still be able to attach a circular cover to the square shower drain. However, you can also find unique covers in a square shape.
Hole Sizes
Your cover will have holes that allow water to flow down the drain while also preventing large items from going down the bathtub drain. The best hair catcher uses lots of small holes to allow water to easily pass through, as larger holes can allow hair to wash down the drain as well. This will eventually create a hair clog. Large holes allow for better water flow and less standing water in your bathroom bathtub.
Do you already have a hair clog? Try this remover tool to fix it fast.
The Best Shower Drain Cover Reviews
Now let’s explore our favorite units so you can decide on the perfect choice for your situation.
This is the best “conventional” cover most showers will feature. This flat-style drain cover has a polished chrome finish fits a 4” drain. Connect the cover to the drain using two snap-in prongs. The cover contains 10 – 14 comparatively large openings in an attractive pattern that capture hair to a limited degree using hooks.
This cost-effective white plastic snap in shower strainer installs easily on 4.25” shower drains by fitting on top of the drain (no plumbers putty required). It’s great for a simple replacement or a temporary solution.
This long-lasting brass snap in shower strainer comes in an attractive matte black finish (multiple other finishes available). Works with a standard 4.25” shower drain with prongs a distance of 2 ⅞” apart from each other.
This stainless steel cover with a chip-proof matte black finish has been tested to last over 10 years, and it’s 1.2mm thick so that you won’t bend it if you step on it. Install in one simple step thanks to the easy snaps. No additional materials are required for installation.
Secure this cover into place with the included screws .375” long designed to fit into a ⅜” screw hole center. The product is made from brass and comes in a variety of different finishes, including oil-rubbed bronze. It has 30 drain holes ¼” in diameter.
Final Thoughts On Buying a Shower Drain Hair Catcher
A good defense is the best offense when it comes to caring for your drain pipes. A shower drain cover, especially when combined with a proper drain stopper and flange, can prevent a clogged drain.
It can also prevent items from washing down your drain such as shampoo bottle caps and large pieces of soap. After you consider the size and shape of your drain, the right cover will install easily while still staying in place. It will also be easy to use when you have to remove the shower drain cover for cleaning access.
Cover your shower drain with a shower drain cover or a drain stopper made to fit your opening size.
Can you replace shower drain cover?
You can replace a shower drain cover easily whether you have a snap in cover or a screw in cover.
Do shower drains need covers?
Shower drains don’t necessarily need covers as part of the residential code, especially if you have a proper drain already in place. However, shower drains do help prevent clogged drains by catching hair.
How do you measure a shower drain strainer?
You measure a drain strainer by the size of the shower drain as well as the prong distance (for snap in covers).
How do you install a Haircatcher in a shower drain?
To install a hair catcher in a shower drain, you will snap it into place or screw it into place.
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About Plumbing Navigator
We write about "all things plumbing," helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
About Plumbing Navigator
We write about “all things plumbing,” helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
