Hi,

Today, for the second time in about 1-1/2 years, I had a problem with
drains backing up (flush toilet, tub and sink gurgle, water backs up
into tub). The sewer guy was full of advice, but I thought I'd get
some input from some of you more experienced homeowners.

He says he had to run an extremely long amount of cable (180 feet) to
reach the clog, so it must have been "across the street somewhere."
Thus, my first question: In your experience, does the village likely
have any responsibility for dealing with this? Or is it on me to keep
it cleaned out? (He says I will have to pay extra because of his
having to use a lot of cable, the logic of which is somewhat lost on
me, but I guess that's a different story.)

Secondly, he said I need to install a ground-level cleanout. Is this
really necessary, or is it a matter of convenience for whatever unlucky
sewer guy gets sent out? (I consider his advice a little suspect
because we started this project with him saying he would have to charge
me extra to remove and replace the toilet because I didn't have a
ladder long enough to reach the roof vent. After some questioning on
my part, it developed that he was supposed to have a ladder with him,
didn't, and wanted me to pay the extra so he wouldn't have to go back
to the shop and fetch a ladder.)

Nevertheless, I see the logic of a ground-level cleanout, although it
sounds like an expensive proposition. Anyway, my final question: If I
have a ground-level cleanout installed, am I likely to be able to deal
with this problem myself in the future, without calling someone else to
roto-root any stoppages?

Thanks in advance for all advice, opinions, general rants about sewer
service....

Jo Ann