Plumbers are a breed apart. You would think they use gold for soldering your pipes with the prices they charge. My grandfather was a plumber and I trustworthy drain leak repair was on the truck with him at nine years old. A plumber may or may not give you a free estimate. With a little digging, it can be done. Just give them the work if indeed you do buy the house.
Block homes can tell you very quickly if they are stressed out just by the appearance of the mortar joints. Those giant unsettling cracks can and do tell a story. This does happen and mortar cracks maybe 10-years old. You need to investigate further.
Ask the plumber company if they are properly licensed and insured and then explain your problems. If you can explain your draining issues, appliance fixtures, or any piping repairs that need looked at then your contractor will have a better idea of rates. Rest assure that even for home flooding, gas lines, and big water damages you'll still be able to get a hold of the emergency plumbing services in your area by searching local water heater repair service on the net.
For the ultimate in gutter cleaning safety, make sure to check the environment near the roof, particularly where you will be cleaning. Be aware of antennae and power lines that may be present. If you're not careful, you could suffer from electric shock in case you touch a power line.
You are better off hiring a well-known drain repipe company that you trust over a random person off the street. There are many dishonest people out there, so find a company that you can depend on and you will have peace of mind.
Glycol (Ethylene glycol) is the most common automotive anti-freeze but it requires safe handling. Ethylene glycol is a toxic substance that can cause death if ingested. It also pollutes the environment and should never be dumped in sewers or storm drains. Propylene glycol is a relatively recent alternative to ethylene glycol. It's less toxic but it's still a hazard and should be handled with care. In particular, keep both chemicals away from pets and children. Always dispose according to your local hazardous waste regulations. Don't pollute!
A reputable plumbing service will often make suggestions when you initially contact them. In the case of a clogged drain, for example, they have seen hundreds or even thousands of cases just like yours and they know that most bathroom sink clogs are the result of by hair building up in the drain. Accumulated hair can create a plugged drain and it can be a fairly straightforward job to loosen up the clog and have a free flowing drain again.