Gloved hand pulling away a piece of drywall heavily covered in mold

Gloved hand pulling away a piece of drywall heavily covered in mold. A general example of this kind of work, not a photo of a particular home, business or job.

Single-story living, different exposure

Much of Southmoor Park's housing is made up of ranch-style homes from the postwar decades, many on full or partial basements and many updated over time. In a one-story home, bedrooms, bathrooms and the kitchen share a single level, so a leak or remediation job is never far from where people sleep. That makes containment and air management especially important.

Common sources in homes of this era include original or partially replaced galvanized supply lines that corrode from the inside, cast-iron drains that crack, older windows prone to condensation and basements finished decades after construction with little attention to the foundation. Roofs with low slopes over additions or carports can also hold snow and leak at the transitions.

Where to look in a Southmoor Park ranch

  • Under the kitchen sink and behind the dishwasher, where old supply lines and drains meet
  • The wall behind the toilet and below the tub in each bathroom
  • Basement walls on the side facing the lawn or a neighbor's downspout
  • Ceilings at the joint between the original roof and any addition
  • Window sills and frames on north-facing bedrooms in winter
  • The furnace and water heater area, including the floor drain

Denver versus the suburbs next door

Topic
Local government
Southmoor Park
City and County of Denver
Cherry Hills Village
City of Cherry Hills Village, in Arapahoe County
Topic
Building permits
Southmoor Park
Denver's Community Planning and Development
Cherry Hills Village
Ask the City of Cherry Hills Village
Topic
Typical lot size
Southmoor Park
Suburban single-family lots
Cherry Hills Village
Generally much larger lots
Topic
Typical housing
Southmoor Park
Mid-century ranches, many updated
Cherry Hills Village
Mix of older ranches and large custom homes

Questions to ask before work in a one-story home

  1. How will containment keep dust out of bedrooms on the same floor?
  2. Where will air scrubbers exhaust, and will equipment noise affect sleeping areas overnight?
  3. Is there any reason the household should stay elsewhere for part of the job?
  4. Will repairs to plumbing or the roof need a Denver permit?
Map of Southmoor Park. It shows an area, not an office or a job site.

Common questions

Are galvanized pipes a mold risk?
Old galvanized steel supply pipes corrode from the inside and can develop pinhole leaks, often at threaded joints hidden in walls. A slow leak like that is a classic hidden moisture source, so ask a plumber to evaluate older piping if you find unexplained dampness.

General information for Cherry Hills Village, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.