Few plumbing emergencies can feel more frustrating than a blocked drain. Whether it’s a problem with your kitchen sink or toilet, finding a solution yourself often feels impossible. But as the team at Flo-Rite Plumbing Inc. serving the Flathead Valley explains, you don’t necessarily have to call a plumber right away.

Below, they offer a few methods to resolving simple home plumbing blockages:

• Baking Soda & Vinegar: This age-old trick is one of the most effective ways to unblock a sink. Start by packing a cup of baking soda into the clogged drain. Once the baking soda is firmly in place, add a cup of vinegar. Let this combination work for a few minutes before flushing it away with warm water to resolve many drainage problems.
• Plungers: Not just for toilets, a plunger is a handy way to unblock almost any drain in your house. Plungers are ideal for sinks or toilets where water has backed up to a higher-than-normal level. Rapidly plunge the drain to dislocate the blockage. 
• Cable Augers: Most households are better off calling a plumber for this option, though skilled DIYers may attempt it as well. Detach the J-joint that connects your sink to its horizontal pipe, then insert a cable auger to reach and remove the clog. Be careful though — unskilled use of a cable auger can cause unintentional leaks or damage.

For clogs both big and small, contact the expert team at Flo-Rite Plumbing. They offer professional hydro-jetting and video drain inspection to remove even the most hard-to-reach clogs. Visit them online to learn more about their repair services or call (406) 257-6897 for 24/7 emergency plumbing.