Ryobi Has A Chemical Free Solution For Unclogging Drains, But Is It Worth Buying?

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Few things are worse than a clogged drain. Not only is there a risk of overflow and flooding, but it usually smells pretty bad, too. Chemicals have long been a common solution, but not only are many of them toxic and harmful to the environment, but the reaction they create can actually generate enough heat to damage sanitary ware and pipework.

There are a number of household items that may unclog your drain, but their effectiveness varies. The tool many plumbers turn to is a drain snake, otherwise known as an auger. It has a wire cable that should deal with even the toughest obstructions, when chemicals sometimes fail. Ryobi's 18V One+ 25' Drain Auger is designed for DIY use and is claimed to be an effective chemical-free alternative. It costs $89, plus another $89 if you don't already have a Ryobi battery and charger. If you consider that calling out a plumber just once could easily cost more than the price of the Ryobi drain auger, it does seem like good value.

So is it worth buying? On the one hand, those who know how often you should clean your drains might argue that an auger shouldn't be necessary. That said, while regular flushing can reduce problems, sometimes blockages happen anyway. However, before you make a decision one way or the other, it's worth taking a closer look at the tool and the other options available.

Ryobi's drain auger comes with 25 feet of ¼-inch reinforced cable. It can be extended and retracted manually or automatically, and there's a cable lock if you need to apply extra force for stubborn blockages. The fully enclosed drum reduces mess to a minimum and has a drain tab to let out any water that gets inside. There's also a useful LED work light. Having reviewed a number of rivals, we know the price is competitive.

Generally speaking, we like to look at customer feedback, but this model is new, so while the comments so far have been very positive, there aren't enough to draw firm conclusions. However, Ryobi does offer other drain augers, and one in particular, which has been around for some time, has similar specifications. That tool has a 4.3-star rating from over 2,000 owners, 88% of whom would recommend it. Assuming the new tool is made to the same standard, and why wouldn't it be, we would expect it to be equally good. Add the fact that Ryobi is considered one of the best power tool brands at Home Depot, according to customers, and their drain auger does seem worth the money.

You can find eco-friendly drain cleaners if you look hard enough. There are also hand-wound drain snakes you can buy for under $30, similar to the Drainsoon Drain Auger. But if you're looking for the convenience of a cordless, powered model, the Ryobi 18V One+ 25' Drain Auger is certainly an attractive proposition.

I am House Digest's expert remodeler, and having worked on a number of kitchens and bathrooms, it's fair to say I've encountered my share of blocked drains. I have a pretty good idea of what to look for in a tool of this type. To back up my own expertise, we researched the approach that professionals recommend, the kind of tools they use, and several DIY-focused rivals to the Ryobi drain auger.

As stated above, we checked buyer feedback, which is provided by Ryobi themselves and Home Depot, who is their exclusive retailer. As reviews of the new tool are limited, we also took into account what owners had to say about the previous model, which has proven popular and remains available.