Edgewater's housing and why it matters
Edgewater covers less than a square mile, wedged between Lakewood to the west and Denver to the east, just west of Sloan's Lake. Much of its housing dates from the 1920s through the 1950s: small bungalows, cottages and postwar homes on narrow lots. Basements in these houses are often partial, with low ceilings, rough concrete or older masonry walls, and a floor that may have been poured or patched at different times.
Spaces like these were built for coal, storage and the furnace, not for living. When they are later used for laundry, a home office or a bedroom, they bring moisture and odor problems the original builders never planned for. Older basement walls may have no exterior waterproofing at all.
Edgewater has also seen a lot of scrape-and-rebuild construction. A new house next door may have a deeper foundation, a different finished grade or new downspouts and patios. Changes like that can alter how water moves between lots, and owners of older homes sometimes notice a new damp spot or smell after neighboring construction.
Checks for a small older basement
- Look for crumbling mortar, efflorescence or damp patches on masonry walls.
- Check where an old coal chute or window opening was filled in; patches can leak.
- Confirm the floor drain still has water in its trap; some old drains are connected in unusual ways.
- See whether the laundry vents outdoors or into the basement.
- Compare grade and drainage with any newly built house next door.
- Keep stored items on shelves; low basements have little air movement.
Odor sources more common in very old basements
| Source | Clue | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Masonry walls wicking moisture | Powdery white deposits and damp spots | Exterior drainage review; avoid sealing walls without knowing where water goes |
| Old floor drain or abandoned pipes | Sour smell near the floor | Plumber to identify where they connect and cap or trap them |
| Dryer venting into the basement | Humidity spikes on laundry days | Vent the dryer outside according to the manufacturer |
| Dirt or patched floor sections | Earthy smell in one area | Evaluate covering or replacing that section |
| Change in drainage from a neighbor's rebuild | New damp spot on the shared side | Document with photos and talk to the neighbor or the city |
Common questions
- Who handles permits in Edgewater?
- Edgewater is its own city. Ask the City of Edgewater which office reviews building permits for drainage, plumbing or basement work at your address.
General information for Lakewood, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.