Central Denver at a glance
- Typical housing
- Late 1800s and early 1900s brick homes, Denver Squares, 1910s to 1930s bungalows, older apartment and condo buildings
- Common odor sources
- Old basements and storage rooms, decades of smoke in plaster, older drain lines, closed-up rooms in large houses
- Local government
- City and County of Denver, a single consolidated government
- Questions about permits
- Denver Community Planning and Development
How the age of these houses shows up
Many central Denver homes have original plaster walls and ceilings. Plaster is harder and less porous than drywall, which is good news for smoke residue: it can usually be washed thoroughly and then primed, rather than replaced. Old wood trim, built-in cabinets and window frames, on the other hand, have absorbed decades of whatever the household did, and are worth extra attention in cleaning.
Basements in older Denver houses were often built for coal storage and utilities rather than living. Low ceilings, rubble or brick foundation walls, old floor drains and storage rooms are common, and many have been partly finished over the years. These spaces are where buyers notice musty smells, and where efflorescence on old masonry tells an inspector that water has moved through the walls.
Older sewer laterals are another theme. Clay pipe was common in homes of this era, and root intrusion and joint separation can cause sewer odors and slow drains. Many buyers' agents in older neighborhoods recommend a sewer scope, so sellers with any drain odor may want to understand the line before listing.
Some large old houses were converted to duplexes or apartments, then sometimes back again. Conversions can leave unused plumbing, closed-off chimneys and odd ventilation paths, all of which deserve a look when an odor has no obvious source.
Older-home features and odor
| Feature | Odor connection | What to check before listing |
|---|---|---|
| Plaster walls and ceilings | Holds smoke film on the surface | Wash, then stain-blocking primer; check for cracks |
| Brick or stone foundation | Moisture and efflorescence, musty basement | Gutters, downspouts, grading, mortar condition |
| Old floor drains | Dry traps let sewer gas in | Refill traps; ask a plumber about cleanout caps |
| Unused chimneys | Damp, sooty smell in humid weather or wind | Chimney cap and damper; chimney inspection |
| Boilers and radiators in some homes | Dusty smell at first heat; less duct-borne odor | Service records; clean radiator surfaces |
| Alley garages and carriage houses | Stored fuel, chemicals, animal activity | Clear out and air before showings |
Questions for central Denver sellers to check
- Does any planned work, such as removing basement finishes or replacing drywall, need a permit from Denver Community Planning and Development?
- Is the house in a historic district, and if so, does any exterior work, such as a new vent, need review?
- Has the sewer lateral been scoped recently, and is there a cleanout accessible?
- Do textured ceilings or old materials being disturbed need asbestos testing first?
- For a condo, what does the HOA control in shared walls, hallways and exhaust shafts?
General information for the Denver area, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.