Ok, so I got myself in big trouble over the weekend. To keep this short, I had a backup in my main clean out drain to the house. Rented a Electric Eel to which has 8 foot section (the look like large springs) with a bit at the end. Ran it down the drain, and when I pulled it out, the bit was missing. Come to find out, I lost two of the 8 foot sections down the drain. Had to have a plumber come ($200) and snake the blockage and try to fish out the lost sections. He was able to clear the bloackage, but not retrieve the section. This is after I attempted to retrieve it myself using an extractor bit from the rental place. SO now I'm faced with possibly boroscoping ($200), then having it duge up ($300-$1000). Of couse I had to pay for the lost section at $62 a piece as well. I can't leave the sections down there either, since they will most likely cause future back ups. So, my question. Does anybody have any creative ideas as hwo to get them out without digging? Are there plumbers out there that may have this as a specialty? I was thinking of calling around to ask, but the last thing I want to do it is pay someone another $200 just to come out and "try" only to come up empty handed. Any ideas welcome as I'm deperate.

Thanks

I am wondering about the plumber who came out and snaked the drain, broke up the clog but could not get you 2 sections out. The clog was likley ahead of your sections so maybe he pushed them forward. Push them far enough and maybe they will get past the city riser and into the city sewer. Boroscoping or a SeeSake could tell you if the missing sections are still in the pipe and maybe even push them to the city. I would not dig unless the SeeSnake idea fails.