The Serious Health Risks of Sewage Exposure
Raw sewage isn’t just disgusting. It’s genuinely dangerous. Understanding the health risks helps explain why professional cleanup is essential and why you should never attempt to handle sewage contamination yourself.
| Pathogen Type |
Diseases and Health Effects |
Exposure Routes |
| Bacteria |
E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter causing severe gastrointestinal illness, dysentery, typhoid fever |
Ingestion, contact with mucous membranes, inhalation of aerosols |
| Viruses |
Hepatitis A, Norovirus, Rotavirus causing liver disease, severe vomiting, diarrhea |
Ingestion, contact with contaminated surfaces then touching face |
| Parasites |
Giardia, Cryptosporidium, roundworms causing intestinal infections, abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea |
Ingestion of contaminated water, contact with contaminated materials |
| Fungi and Mold |
Rapid mold growth in sewage-contaminated materials causing respiratory problems, allergic reactions |
Inhalation of spores from contaminated materials |
| Toxic Gases |
Hydrogen sulfide, methane, ammonia causing respiratory distress, dizziness, nausea, asphyxiation in confined spaces |
Inhalation in poorly ventilated areas |
Children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems face particularly serious risks from sewage exposure. Even healthy adults can develop severe infections from the pathogens present in raw sewage.
Cross-contamination is a major concern during sewage cleanup. Pathogens spread easily to unaffected areas through foot traffic, contaminated tools, and improper handling. This is why professional containment procedures and proper protective equipment are essential.
Common Causes of Sewage Backups in Las Vegas
Understanding what causes sewage problems helps property owners recognize warning signs and take preventive action when possible.
Sewer line clogs from tree root intrusion are extremely common in Las Vegas. Mature trees seek moisture, and their roots infiltrate even small cracks in sewer lines. Over time, roots grow inside pipes, catching debris and eventually causing complete blockages that result in backups into homes and businesses.
Main sewer line breaks occur when aging clay or cast iron pipes deteriorate and collapse. Many Las Vegas properties built before 1980 have original sewer lines that are now failing. When main lines break, sewage has nowhere to go except back up into your property.
Municipal sewer system overflows sometimes affect entire neighborhoods. During heavy monsoon rains, municipal systems can become overwhelmed, causing sewage to back up into properties connected to those systems. While less common in Las Vegas than other cities, this does occur during major storm events.
Toilet and drain clogs that seem minor can quickly escalate into sewage backups. Flushing inappropriate items, accumulated grease in kitchen drains, and foreign objects in pipes all contribute to blockages that lead to sewage overflow.
Sump pump failures in properties with below-grade bathrooms or laundry rooms can allow sewage to flood when pumps fail during power outages or mechanical breakdowns.
Septic system failures affect properties not connected to municipal sewer systems. Septic tanks that haven’t been pumped regularly, drain fields that have failed, and systems that are undersized for property usage all lead to sewage backups.
Our Emergency Sewage Cleanup Process
Sewage cleanup requires systematic procedures that protect health and safety while thoroughly decontaminating affected areas.
1. Immediate Emergency Response
When you call Mold Eliminators for a sewage emergency, we respond immediately. Our 24/7 availability means you get help when you need it, not when it’s convenient for us. We arrive prepared with all necessary equipment, protective gear, and specialized cleaning agents designed specifically for sewage contamination.
Our first priority is assessing safety. We identify immediate hazards including electrical dangers from standing water, structural damage, and toxic gas accumulation. We never put our team or property occupants at risk.
2. Containment and Safety Protocols
Before beginning cleanup, we establish containment barriers to prevent cross-contamination to unaffected areas. Our technicians suit up in full personal protective equipment including waterproof coveralls, rubber boots, heavy-duty gloves, respirators, and eye protection. This isn’t standard water damage gear. This is biohazard-rated PPE designed for the most hazardous contamination.
3. Sewage Extraction and Removal
We use powerful extraction equipment to remove standing sewage water and solid waste. This includes truck-mounted extractors, submersible pumps, and wet vacuums specifically designated for sewage use. Contaminated water is extracted completely, and solid waste is removed and properly disposed of as biohazardous material.
4. Removal of Contaminated Materials
Porous materials that have contacted raw sewage cannot be adequately cleaned. Industry standards and health department guidelines require their removal and disposal. This includes carpeting and padding, drywall that wicked sewage, insulation, baseboards, and any other porous materials that absorbed contamination.
We carefully remove these materials, double-bag them in heavy-duty plastic, and dispose of them properly. This isn’t trash that goes in regular dumpsters. Sewage-contaminated materials are biohazardous waste requiring proper disposal at licensed facilities.
5. Deep Cleaning and Disinfection
All remaining surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected using EPA-registered antimicrobial agents specifically designed for sewage contamination. This isn’t surface-level cleaning. We perform multiple passes with progressively stronger disinfectants to ensure complete pathogen elimination.
Structural materials like concrete, wood framing, and subflooring are scrubbed, pressure washed when appropriate, and treated with antimicrobials that penetrate porous surfaces. We don’t cut corners or skip areas. Complete disinfection is essential for safe occupancy.
6. Structural Drying
After cleaning and disinfection, we deploy commercial dehumidifiers and high-velocity air movers to thoroughly dry all affected structural materials. Moisture left behind will promote mold growth within 24 to 48 hours. Complete drying is essential to prevent secondary damage.
We monitor moisture levels using professional meters and continue drying until materials reach acceptable moisture content. This process typically takes 3 to 7 days depending on contamination extent and materials affected.
7. Odor Elimination
Sewage creates persistent odors that simple cleaning can’t eliminate. We use professional-grade deodorization equipment including ozone generators, hydroxyl generators, and antimicrobial fogging to neutralize odors at the molecular level. Your property will smell clean and fresh, not like it’s covering up sewage odors with fragrances.
8. Final Inspection and Air Quality Testing
Before declaring cleanup complete, we conduct thorough inspection to verify all contamination has been removed, all surfaces have been properly disinfected, moisture levels are acceptable, and odors have been eliminated. Air quality testing can be performed when necessary to verify that airborne pathogens have been eliminated.
Why You Should Never Attempt DIY Sewage Cleanup
We understand the impulse to save money by handling cleanup yourself. But sewage contamination is not a situation where DIY is appropriate or safe.
Sewage contains pathogens that cause serious illness. Without proper protective equipment, you risk exposure to bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can make you severely ill. Standard household cleaning supplies and equipment aren’t adequate for sewage decontamination.
Cross-contamination happens easily during improper cleanup. You track pathogens throughout your property on shoes and clothes. You contaminate tools and equipment that then spread sewage to previously clean areas. Professional containment procedures prevent this spread.
Hidden contamination in wall cavities, under flooring, and in HVAC systems won’t be addressed by surface cleaning. Sewage that wicks into porous materials continues harboring pathogens even after surfaces appear clean. Professional detection equipment and knowledge of building systems are necessary to identify all affected areas.
Insurance coverage can be jeopardized by improper DIY attempts. Many policies require professional remediation of sewage contamination. Attempting cleanup yourself may void coverage or result in claims being denied.
Your health and safety are worth far more than the cost of professional cleanup. Call the experts who have proper training, equipment, and experience handling sewage emergencies safely.
Insurance Coverage for Sewage Cleanup
Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover sewage backup cleanup when appropriate endorsements or riders are in place. Standard policies often exclude sewer backup coverage, but it can be added for minimal additional premium. Property owners should review their policies and add this coverage if it’s not already included.
Commercial property insurance typically includes coverage for sewage cleanup as part of water damage provisions. Business interruption coverage may also apply when sewage contamination forces temporary closure.
We work directly with insurance companies throughout the claims process. Our team provides detailed documentation including photographs, moisture readings, itemized invoicing, and certifications required by insurers. We’ve worked with every major insurance carrier operating in Nevada and understand their documentation requirements.
Even when insurance doesn’t cover sewage cleanup, professional remediation costs less than the long-term health problems, property damage, and liability issues that result from improper cleanup.
Sewage Emergencies Specific to Las Vegas Properties
| Las Vegas Factor |
Impact on Sewage Problems |
| Aging Sewer Infrastructure |
Many properties built during rapid growth (1990s-2000s) now experiencing sewer line failures as original pipes deteriorate |
| Extreme Heat |
Accelerates bacterial growth in sewage; intensifies odors; creates urgent health hazards during summer months |
| Monsoon Storms |
Sudden heavy rainfall can overwhelm municipal systems; causes flash flooding that backs up into sewer lines |
| Tree Root Problems |
Mature trees throughout valley seeking moisture aggressively invade sewer lines through any small opening |
| Clay and Cast Iron Pipes |
Older properties have sewer lines made from materials that crack, corrode, and fail after 40-50 years |
| Septic Systems |
Properties outside municipal sewer areas rely on septic systems that require regular maintenance many owners neglect |
Summer heat in Las Vegas makes sewage emergencies particularly hazardous. Bacterial growth accelerates in warm temperatures. Odors intensify. The combination of sewage contamination and extreme heat creates dangerous conditions that require immediate professional response.
Preventing Sewage Backups in Your Property
While not all sewage emergencies can be prevented, property owners can take steps to reduce risk.
Schedule regular sewer line inspections using video camera technology. This identifies root intrusion, cracks, and other problems before they cause backups. Properties with mature trees should have lines inspected every 2 to 3 years.
Install backwater prevention valves in floor drains and basement fixtures. These one-way valves allow sewage to flow out but prevent backflow into your property when municipal systems become overwhelmed.
Avoid flushing inappropriate items including wipes (even those labeled flushable), feminine hygiene products, paper towels, diapers, or anything besides toilet paper and human waste. These items contribute to clogs that lead to backups.
Never pour grease down kitchen drains. Grease solidifies in pipes and accumulates over time, eventually causing blockages. Dispose of cooking grease in trash containers instead.
Maintain septic systems properly if your property isn’t connected to municipal sewer. Have tanks pumped every 3 to 5 years, avoid overloading systems, and address any problems immediately.
Call for Immediate Sewage Cleanup Services
Sewage emergencies require immediate professional response. Every minute that sewage remains in your property increases health risks, spreads contamination, and causes additional property damage.
Call Mold Eliminators at (702) 442-1126) any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We maintain round-the-clock availability specifically for emergencies like sewage backups that can’t wait until morning.
Our OSHA-certified biohazard technicians respond immediately with all necessary equipment to handle your sewage emergency safely and completely. We’ve been Las Vegas’s sewage cleanup and sewage removal experts since 1996. When you need help fast, we’re the ones to turn to during sewage emergencies.
Don’t risk your health or your family’s safety by attempting DIY sewage cleanup. Contact the professionals who specialize in biohazard remediation and have nearly three decades of experience handling the most challenging sewage situations.
