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
- Helical Piers: How helical piers work, where they are used in foundation repair, and what to ask before installation.
- Helical Piers for New Construction: How helical piles are used as foundations for new homes, additions and other structures, and what to discuss with builders.
- Push Piers vs. Helical Piers: Comparing push piers and helical piers for foundation repair, and how contractors decide between them.
- Helical Piles for Decks and Porches: Using helical piles as footings for decks, porches, sunrooms and light structures, and questions to ask.
- Helical Pile Load Testing: How helical pile capacity is verified, what torque correlations mean, and when load tests are used.
- Expansive Soils and Foundations: How expansive soils affect foundations on Colorado's Front Range, and approaches to reduce movement.
Points to keep in mind
- Engineers familiar with local soils can be valuable. More on expansive soils and foundations.
- Building departments often require permits and inspections for decks. More on helical piles for decks and porches.
- Frost depth requirements apply. Ask how the piles meet them. More on helical piles for decks and porches.
- Helical piers can be installed with smaller equipment in some cases. More on push piers vs. helical piers.
- Engineering design is common, especially for larger structures. More on helical piers.
- Some homes have floating slabs and slip joints designed to accommodate movement. More on expansive soils and foundations.
How to prepare your inquiry
- Describe whether water shows up in the basement, crawl space or against the foundation, and when.
- Note the age of the home and whether it has a basement, crawl space or slab.
- Mention any doors or windows that stick, no longer latch or show new gaps.
- Take photos of cracks, gaps, sloping floors or sunken slabs, with a tape measure or coin in frame for scale.
- Note when you first noticed the problem and whether it seems to be getting worse.
Good questions to ask any provider
- What happens if a pile does not reach target torque?
- Can you support an existing porch that has settled?
- How will capacity be verified for my project?
- What equipment is needed, and will it fit on my site?
- Is a load test planned, and who decides?
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 Aurora, Lakewood, Littleton, Arvada, Westminster.