Stormin Mormon wrote:
CY: That's a good link. Came thorugh OK. So, you got the 50 footer?
Seems that 35 should go across a couple floors, and into the cellar.
Was it really worth $300? Musta been, since you bought one. I spent
$25 on a closet auger, and have got my value out of it already.

Well, I have had that tool for years. As I recall, it came with the
35foot snake. then when that got rusty, I replaced it with the 50
footer which is just a smaller diameter. You never want to use a rusty
or damaged snake for danger of breaking it off inside the pipe. The
thing to do is to clean the snake after each use and wipe it down with
oil to prevent rust, a nasty but necessary job. That snake has save
me a few times now but as to whether it was worth it? Just barely.
It probably cost about as much as one or two visits from a plumber if
you want to look at it that way.

A longer snake almost always does the trick for me. The rentals are
always crappy is how I ended up buying one. I've never had much luck
with the drain cleaners but for sure are worth a try.
CY: My concern is that a drain cleaner will make the crystals fluff
up, and clog the rest of the pipe. and then we can be down to zero
water flow, and caling a plumber.

The next step after using a longer snake is to snake it from
downstream. Since yours is on the second floor you might be able to
ask the downstairs people if their plumbing is ok, after doing all you
can upstairs. If it's not, they may not mind if you try snaking it
from their place.
CY: These folks have the entire house, so that's not an issue. I
wonder if there is a clean out in the cellar. PRobably yes, and
probably pointed in the down direction.

In another place I ended up snaking all the way out to
the street before we called in a real plumber who had a little camera
he used to actually look inside the sewer pipe. Turned out tree
roots
were blocking the pipe and the whole front yard had to be dug up.
CY: I hadn't thought of that. Ought try a pail of water in the kitchen
sink, and see if that flows. Might very well be a clog between the
cellar and street. Thanks for a valuable idea.

Welcome.