About Denver
Denver is Colorado's capital and largest city, sitting at about 5,280 feet, which earned it the nickname the Mile High City. Its housing ranges from historic bungalows and Victorians to modern infill and high-rise construction.
Regional considerations
Parts of Colorado's Front Range are known for expansive clay soils and claystone bedrock that swell when wet and shrink as they dry. That movement can affect foundations, basement slabs, driveways and sidewalks, and it is one reason many local homes are built with deep foundations or floating basement slabs.
Front Range weather brings freeze-thaw cycles, spring snowmelt and summer storms. Keeping water away from the foundation with working gutters, extended downspouts, grading that slopes away from the house and careful irrigation near the foundation is a common first step before or alongside any repair.
Services Denver visitors ask about
- Foundation Cracks: How to think about foundation cracks, which patterns tend to get attention, and what an evaluation usually looks at.
- Foundation Settlement: What causes foundation settlement, common warning signs, and how repair options are typically evaluated.
- Bowing Basement Walls: Why basement walls bow or lean, the warning signs, and the bracing and anchoring options homeowners often hear about.
- Foundation Pier Systems: An overview of the pier types used in foundation repair and how contractors typically choose between them.
- Basement Waterproofing: Interior and exterior basement waterproofing approaches, what each addresses, and questions to ask before hiring.
- Foundation Inspections: What a foundation evaluation usually includes, who performs it, and how to use the results.
Points to keep in mind
- Finished basements may need finishes removed to access walls. More on basement waterproofing.
- Bracing may affect finished basement space. Ask how it will look and whether it can be covered. More on bowing basement walls.
- An independent engineer's report can help compare proposals. More on foundation settlement.
- Exterior excavation can be disruptive and may affect landscaping and walkways. More on basement waterproofing.
- Carbon fiber straps are generally used for walls with limited movement. Ask about limits for your wall. More on bowing basement walls.
- Ask about warranties and whether they transfer to a new owner. More on foundation settlement.
Getting ready to reach out
- Have any inspection or engineer reports handy, such as from a home purchase.
- Note the age of the home and whether it has a basement, crawl space or slab.
- Note when you first noticed the problem and whether it seems to be getting worse.
- Mention any doors or windows that stick, no longer latch or show new gaps.
- Note where gutters and downspouts discharge and whether irrigation runs near the house.
Good questions to ask any provider
- Do you recommend an engineer's evaluation?
- What repair do you recommend, and why that approach?
- What did you observe, and what do you think is the cause?
- Is the foundation actively moving?
- Do you recommend interior drains, exterior waterproofing or both?
Verify before you hire
Licensing, permit and insurance requirements are set by the state and local jurisdiction where the work happens, and they can differ between neighboring cities. Ask any provider which requirements apply in Denver, and confirm details with the relevant agency when it matters.
Nearby areas
We also take inquiries from Fort Collins, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Pueblo.