Open wall cavity with black mold growing on the framing and sheathing

Open wall cavity with black mold growing on the framing and sheathing. Example of the work involved; the photo does not show a specific property or a job for this site.

Why slopes change the mold picture

Applewood is an unincorporated community in Jefferson County, west of Wheat Ridge and east of Golden, on rolling terrain that rises toward the foothills and Table Mountain. Much of it was built from the 1950s through the 1970s, with ranches, split-levels and custom homes on larger, often sloping lots. Mature trees are everywhere.

On a slope, the uphill side of a house is effectively buried and the downhill side is exposed. Walkout basements and split-levels put living space against the uphill soil, which collects runoff from the yard above. That uphill wall, and the room behind it, is where seepage and mold most often show up. Leaves from mature trees also clog gutters fast, sending roof water down beside the foundation.

Checking a hillside home

  1. Walk the uphill side in a rainstorm

    Watch where water flows. Swales, patios and planting beds that direct it toward the house are the first target.

  2. Clear gutters in fall and spring

    Tree-heavy lots need more frequent cleaning, and downspouts should discharge downhill, away from the foundation.

  3. Inspect the buried wall from inside

    Look behind furniture and under carpet along the uphill wall of a walkout or lower split-level room.

  4. Check retaining walls

    Older timber or block walls can trap water against a house or fail and change drainage.

Who handles what in an unincorporated area

Building permits
Jefferson County, not the City of Wheat Ridge or Golden
Water and sewer
Local districts; check your bill for the provider
Mailing address
Many addresses say Golden or Wheat Ridge despite being in Applewood
Gas emergencies
Xcel Energy or 911
Map of Applewood. It shows an area, not an office or a job site.

Common questions

Do split-level homes get more mold?
Not necessarily, but the lower level of a split-level is partly below grade, so it behaves like a basement for moisture. It is often finished as a family room, so problems hide behind carpet and paneling.
Do the mature trees in Applewood cause mold?
Not directly, but they shade roofs and walls, drop leaves that clog gutters, and their roots can crack old sewer lines. All three can add moisture around a house, so tree-heavy lots deserve more frequent gutter and drainage checks.

General information for Wheat Ridge, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.