Questions to start with in an Edgewater home
- Is the house on a full basement, a partial cellar, a crawlspace, or a mix?
- When was the foundation built, and has it been waterproofed or repaired?
- Does a new, taller house next door drain its roof or yard toward your side?
- Has the basement or crawlspace ever been finished over without moisture control?
Old foundations close together
Edgewater is a small, separate city tucked between Wheat Ridge, Lakewood and Denver's Sloan's Lake neighborhood. Much of its housing predates the big postwar ranch boom: modest bungalows and cottages, small brick homes and early ranches on narrow lots. Many have partial basements or cellars that were dug under part of the house, with a crawlspace under the rest.
Those older foundations often lack the drainage and dampproofing of later construction, and side yards between houses can be only a few feet wide. Where a lot has been scraped and rebuilt with a larger home, the new roof, gutters and regraded yard can send more water toward the older house next door. Narrow side yards with no sun dry slowly after storms.
Typical trouble spots
| Location | Why it gets wet | What mold looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Partial cellar walls | Little or no exterior dampproofing | White crust and dark staining on masonry, mold on stored items |
| Crawlspace under the rest of the house | Bare soil, limited venting | Spotted joists and a musty smell in rooms above |
| Narrow side yard wall | Shade and runoff from the neighbor | Damp baseboards and spots on the inside of that wall |
| Enclosed back porch | Built on a shallow slab or piers | Floor and wall-base growth |
| Original bathroom | Old tile, minimal ventilation | Growth on grout, ceiling and behind fixtures |
Practical steps for older Edgewater homes
- Keep side-yard gutters clean and extend downspouts toward the street or back yard
- Talk with neighbors about drainage where lots meet; it is a shared problem
- Use plastic bins on shelves rather than boxes on cellar floors
- Add or upgrade bathroom exhaust ventilation
- Test old flooring and plaster for asbestos before tearing out moldy areas
- Ask the City of Edgewater whether repairs need a permit
Common questions
- Is a rebuilt house next door responsible for my wet basement?
- Sometimes drainage from a new lot does change what reaches yours, but older foundations also leak on their own. Document when the problem started and how water moves during storms before raising it with a neighbor or the city.
General information for Wheat Ridge, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.