//What to Look For
Common Defects
What to look for at your property, and why Colorado makes it worse.
Mechanical
Leaks, frozen pipes, or uneven heating.
06
Structural
Sagging floors or cracked beams.
06
Roofs
Leaks after storms or snowmelt.
01
Windows
02
Foundations & Soil
Cracked slabs and sticking doors.
05
Drafts, stains, or rot around frames.
Decks & Balconies
Soft decks or loose railings.
03
Exterior & Siding
Cracks, stains, or bulging.
04
//Challenges In Colorado
Why Colorado is Hard on Buildings.
A shortcut that might go unnoticed for years in a mild climate often shows up here within a few seasons.
Expansive Clay Soil.
Much of the Front Range sits on clay that swells when wet and shrinks when dry, pushing on foundations and slabs.
01
Quick building timelines along the Front Range leave less room for error, and shortcuts show up within a few seasons.
02
Fast Growth.
03
Hail, Snow, Wind & Sun.
Parts of Colorado see frequent hail, heavy snow, high winds, and strong high-altitude sun that wears down roofs, sealants, and coatings.
04
Freeze-Thaw Cycles.
Water that gets into a small gap freezes, expands, and works deeper with every cycle, turning small flaws into rot and cracked concrete.
//Photo Gallery
What Common Defects Look Like.
View Gallery
Roofs.
Warning Signs
Water stains on ceilings, leaks after storms or snowmelt, ice dams, missing or lifting shingles, and water ponding on flat roofs.
Common Issues
Improper flashing, poor ventilation, missing underlayment, and flat roofs that don’t drain.
Windows.
Warning Signs
Stains or rot around frames, drafts, fogging between panes, and windows that stick or won’t latch.
View Gallery
View Gallery
Common Issues
Missing or improper flashing, poor sealing, and windows installed out of square.
Exterior & Siding.
Warning Signs
Cracks, streaks or stains below windows, bulging, soft spots, and mold. EIFS is a synthetic, stucco-like exterior finish.
Common Issues
No drainage layer behind the finish, missing flashing, and finish coats applied too thin.
Structural.
Warning Signs
Sagging floors or roofs, cracks in beams or walls, and doors and windows pulled out of square.
Common Issues
Undersized framing, missing connections, and work that doesn’t follow the approved plans.
View Gallery
Decks & Balconies.
Warning Signs
Soft or spongy surfaces, sagging, loose railings, rust stains, and water dripping onto the space below.
Common Issues
Missing waterproofing, poor slope and drainage, and weak connections to the building.
View Gallery
Foundations & Soil.
Warning Signs
Cracks in foundations, slabs, and drywall, sticking doors, uneven floors, and heaving sidewalks.
Common Issues
Soil that wasn’t tested properly, foundations not designed for clay soil, and poor drainage.
Not Sure What You’re Seeing?
Mechanical.
Contact Us
Warning Signs
Leaks, frozen or burst pipes (including fire sprinkler lines), uneven heating or cooling, poor ventilation, and failed inspections.
Many defects start small or stay hidden behind walls and under surfaces, so it’s hard to tell from the outside how serious a problem is. Our team will look at what you’re seeing, explain it in plain terms, and tell you honestly whether it’s worth pursuing.
Common Issues
Pipes run through unheated spaces, improper installation, and undersized systems.
View Gallery
View Gallery
View Gallery
//The Bottom Line
Different Defects, One Pattern.
A shortcut that might go unnoticed for years in a mild climate often shows up here within a few seasons.
Deadlines don’t wait for certainty.
Colorado sets deadlines for these claims, so waiting to see if a problem gets worse can use up valuable time.
Visible damage is rarely the whole story.
Defects often do their work behind walls, under surfaces, and underground. An inspection shows what’s really going on.
Finding out where you stand is free.
Our Four Step Process includes an inspection, research, legal review, and a written report, before you commit to anything.
//Reach Out
Seeing signs of a defect?
Have more questions? Call (303) 993-6835 or email info@hearnfleener.com.
Document What You See.
Take dated photos and keep repair records. They help show what’s happening and when it started.
Start With a Free Inspection.
Our Four Step Process gives you clear answers before you decide anything.
