Everything went quickly and well when I took another plumber's advice and called Bob Oates. Their dispatcher was warm and helpful, and they were here in under 30 minutes (probably lucky timing but still.) The plumber was friendly, professional and happy to tell me details about what he was doing.
He snaked (4 times for good measure!) and videoed my long sewer line, all for under $200! (Oct. 2009) Oh, and he also magically located his camera underground, and showed me the layout of my sewer line on his pocket computer...
more