Searching through the muck for a solution to a foul problem

Something's foul in Danny Trowbridge's house. Figuring out what it is wasn't the hard part, but the ensuing disagreement over who is responsible and who should pay to fix it - now that may cause a bigger stink.

Trowbridge first noticed the problem at his home, at the Silver State Mobile Home Park on Highway 50 East, in December when his drains became slow and eventually stopped.

"I had a slow drain in the master shower, but it would go down so I didn't think much of it until I flushed the toilet in the second bathroom and raw sewage came bubbling up through the shower drain," Trowbridge said.

According to Trowbridge, he called a plumber who came to snake the lines and clear the clog and in the process, found a much bigger problem.

"The sewage had backed up from the main line into my pipes and it was causing sewage to flow in the sub-basement insulation and under the floors," Trowbridge said.

The sewage was collecting under the house, creating bubbles stretching to the ground below. The pressure buildup was so strong that it cracked the seals on one of his toilets and eroded the drain in the master shower.

Trowbridge said the plumber told him that one section of the park's pipe system had most likely collapsed, but was still able to temporarily repair the problem.

While Trowbridge does have homeowner's insurance, his policy specifically excludes damage caused as the result of the park's sewer system and the company determined that was the case.

After the park's owners, who live in Southern California, refused to speak with Trowbridge about the problem, he called the Carson City Health and Human Services Department for help.

"I went out on Jan. 5 after he complained of unsanitary conditions in his home," Teresa Hayes, environmental health specialist, said.

Hayes said that she informed the managers of the park, David and Jeannie Wright, and was told that once Trowbridge told them there was a problem, they took steps to correct it.

"They have a receipt showing that on Dec. 11 they called a plumber and had their lines cleared," Hayes said. "But because there wasn't a clearing line under Trowbridge's home the plumber couldn't clear his pipes. They have taken steps above and beyond to help this problem."

When contacted by the Nevada Appeal, the Wrights said they had no comment.

Hayes said the problem had been going on for some time and because of a lack of plumbing knowledge, Trowbridge waited to call a plumber until significant damage was already done.

"I feel strongly for him but there is nothing the health department can do," Hayes said.

According to Dante Pistone, public information officer with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, the health department can intervene only if the problem creates a health risk and is reported to the department. Until that happens, it is a private dispute between the land and property owners.

Trowbridge said that he wishes the park would simply allow him to file a claim against their insurance and take care of it.

"That's the reason you have insurance. The men who own this park have to have insurance and that should take care of it," Trowbridge said. "I just want people to understand that's what insurance is for and they should use it."

If the two parties are unable agree on a solution, the matter can be taken to the State Department of Business and Industry to mediate the dispute.

Until then, Trowbridge said he will continue to live with the problem, even as it continues to get worse.

"The way it's going, I figure about another month before I can't use the other bathroom and then I don't know what I will do," Trowbridge said.

n Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

Who to call

• The Carson City Health Department has authority to investigate potential health problems in public buildings and areas but cannot investigate problems on private property unless a complaint is filed with the office by calling 887-2190.

• The State Department of Environmental Protection investigates problems dealing with entire septic systems of 5,000 gallons or more and can be reached at 687-4670.

• The State Department of Business and Industry, Housing Division can mediate problems between land and property owners and can be reached at 687-4258.