Crestmoor at a glance
- Government
- City and County of Denver
- Typical housing
- Postwar ranches and some split-levels, with remodels and newer replacement homes mixed in
- Common basement finish history
- Finished in stages over several decades
- Nearby open space
- Crestmoor Park, with large mature trees along many streets
- ZIP to confirm
- Most of the neighborhood is commonly listed under 80220; confirm for your address
What is different here
Crestmoor developed slightly later than parts of Hilltop, and its streets are lined with long, low ranch houses, many of them brick, built for growing postwar families. Those homes almost always put the furnace, water heater and laundry in the basement, and many basements were later turned into family rooms, offices and guest bedrooms. Each round of finishing typically added a layer: paneling in one decade, drywall in another, carpet over the slab, a drop ceiling hiding pipes.
Because ranches spread their footprint wide, basement walls run long and much of the foundation sits close to lawn and planting beds. In a neighborhood with big trees and well-watered yards, the long sides of the house are where irrigation overspray and gutter overflow tend to soak the soil. Main-floor bathrooms usually sit directly over finished basement rooms, so a slow drain leak under a tub can show up as a stain on a basement ceiling rather than in the bathroom itself.
Some Crestmoor houses have been replaced with larger new homes. The same drainage changes that come with any teardown can affect older neighbors, and new homes bring the ventilation questions common to tighter construction.
Crestmoor-specific checks
- Basement ceiling below each main-floor bathroom and the kitchen
- The long foundation walls facing the lawn and sprinkler zones
- Laundry area: washer hoses, utility sink, floor drain
- Behind any remaining paneling on exterior basement walls
- Window wells along the side yards, especially those shaded by trees
- Basement bedroom closets on outside walls in winter
Questions before remodeling a Crestmoor basement
- Has anyone looked behind the current finishes for past moisture or growth?
- Do the original materials need asbestos testing before demolition?
- Will the new wall assembly keep wood and paper-faced drywall off the foundation?
- Does the project need a permit from Denver Community Planning and Development?
- Is the lot graded and are downspouts extended so the new finish stays dry?
Common questions
Are Crestmoor homes likely to contain asbestos?
Houses from the postwar decades often used materials that sometimes contained asbestos, such as certain floor tiles, adhesives and ceiling textures. Only testing tells you about a specific house, so sample before disturbing original finishes.
Is a sump pump common in Crestmoor basements?
Many older homes in this part of Denver were built without one. Whether adding drainage makes sense depends on where the water is coming from; fix gutters and grading first and ask a drainage contractor if seepage continues.
General information for Hilltop, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.