how to tell if my ISP is blocking email & web ports

[fbsd_user]

I am thinking about enabling my gateway's sendmail email 
server to receive email directly from the public internet and 
also installing apache to serve my own home page. 

I have 24/7 cable internet connection plus an registered 
domain name which goes no place right now. 

I know I can not ask my ISP's tech support if they block 
ports 110, 25, and 80, because they will get suspicious 
and monitor my account. Want to stay under their radar.

So I need a way to test if the ports are blocked or not using an 
friends PC and my current  IP address. 

What do you recommend?