Dear Glenn: We just bought an older home. The inspector said we should go up on the roof and force water down the roof vent pipes because they were plugged. Some of the drains are slow. This is a two-story house. Should we pay someone to go up and put a hose down the pipes?

-- Bob, Birmingham

Dear Bob: You want to hire someone to get up on your roof, but leave the hose behind. Call a plumbing service and tell them that you need to have your roof vents snaked out. Not every plumber is willing to climb on the roof, so you may have to call several places. In the north Woodward Avenue area, try Nelson Brothers, (248) 541-0819, or Sumner Plumbing, (888) 844-7473.