Some local authorities also provide this service, often for a nominal fee. If its a combined drain thats blocked/causing problems and you are the person with the manhole in the garden, then make sure you get the neighbours to cough up too. The drainage company/local authority should advise which houses are connected to the combined drain. Its a while since I've had any dealings with drains (thank God) so I'm not sure what you would do if you lived in an apt. or in a development not taken in charge by the L.A. (i.e. run by a management company). Good call buying the rods yourself though - if the drains in your area are problematic, you will save yourself a fortune in €€€.