Water Damage Restoration in Lakewood, CO

Lakewood is Jefferson County's largest city, with about 156,000 residents in the 2020 census. It incorporated in 1969, but many of its neighborhoods are much older, built out in the decades after World War II along West Colfax, Wadsworth Boulevard and West Alameda Avenue. To the west the city climbs toward Green Mountain, which rises to 6,854 feet, and the Denver Federal Center sits near its middle.

Why water damage in Lakewood is different

Older plumbing in established neighborhoods. Homes from the postwar era may still have galvanized steel supply lines, cast iron drains or clay sewer laterals. These materials corrode and crack with age, so leaks often start slowly inside walls or under slabs.

Several waterways run through town. Bear Creek feeds Bear Creek Lake on the city's southwest side, and Lakewood Gulch, Weir Gulch, Sanderson Gulch and Turkey Creek all carry storm runoff. Homes near these channels see more water during summer thunderstorms and spring snowmelt.

Foothill exposure on the west side. Neighborhoods near Green Mountain and along C-470 sit higher and catch colder winds. Pipes in exterior walls and garages are more likely to freeze during cold snaps.

Mold follows slow leaks. Many Lakewood basements were finished years after the house was built. A slow leak behind paneling or drywall can feed mold growth long before anyone sees water.

Common water damage problems in Lakewood

Tips for Lakewood homeowners

• Check for galvanized pipe. If the pipes near your water heater are gray steel with threaded joints, ask a plumber how much life they have left.
• Camera your sewer line. In homes with clay or cast iron laterals, a video inspection shows root intrusion and cracks before they cause a backup.
• Clean window wells. Leaves and snow in window wells hold water against basement windows. Clear them before spring and add covers if they fill often.
• Know your flood zone. If you live near Bear Creek or one of the gulches, look up your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and consider flood insurance.
• Keep heat in the garage. On the coldest nights, keep the garage door shut and let faucets on exterior walls drip slightly.

Condos, apartments and shared buildings

Lakewood has many condo and apartment buildings, especially near Belmar and along the light rail. In a shared building, a leak in one unit can damage the units below. The building's master policy and each owner's HO-6 policy may both be involved, so tell the provider and your association about every unit affected.

Getting help in Lakewood

The steps for water damage restoration in Lakewood are the same anywhere: stop the water, extract it, dry the structure to verified readings and repair what got wet. Lakewood sits north of Ken Caryl, and providers that work the west and south metro often cover Englewood as well. For winter prevention, read at what temperature pipes freeze.