Why sewage needs professional handling
Restoration standards classify sewage as Category 3, or "black," water. Carpet, pad, upholstered furniture and the lower portion of soaked drywall generally cannot be safely cleaned and are removed. Hard surfaces are cleaned and disinfected, and the area is dried and checked before rebuild. Professionals wear protective gear and use containment so contamination is not tracked through the rest of the house.
Common causes in Henderson homes
- Main line clogs from wipes, grease and paper products.
- Root intrusion in older sewer laterals, especially in established neighborhoods with mature trees such as older parts of Green Valley and the original townsite.
- Cracked or sagging lateral pipe under the yard or slab.
- A blockage in the public sewer main, which can push water back through the lowest drain in the home.
What to do before help arrives
- Stop using water in the home: no flushing, showers, laundry or dishwasher.
- Keep children, older relatives and pets out of the affected area.
- Do not try to vacuum or mop sewage with household equipment.
- Turn off HVAC fans if the system could spread odor and contamination.
- Photograph the damage for your insurer.
If the backup came from the city's sewer main rather than your private line, the City of Henderson's utility services department is the place to report it. A plumber can usually tell you which side of the property line the blockage is on.
Sewage Backup Cleanup coverage by ZIP code
Referrals for sewage backup cleanup are available in these Henderson ZIP codes:
Questions about sewage backup cleanup
Is sewage backup covered by homeowners insurance?
Often only if you added a water backup or sewer backup endorsement. Many standard policies exclude it otherwise. Check your declarations page.
Can I clean a small toilet overflow myself?
A small overflow of clean bowl water onto tile can usually be cleaned with disinfectant. If waste reached carpet, baseboards or another room, or came up from a drain, professional cleanup is the safer choice.
Who fixes the sewer line?
A plumber clears or repairs the line. The restoration provider cleans, removes contaminated materials, disinfects and dries. Some companies offer both.