What a century-old Denver lateral actually looks like inside
Pull a camera through a lateral in Baker, Congress Park or Berkeley and you will usually see the same three findings: offset joints where the ground has shifted, bellies where a section has settled and now holds standing water, and root hair curtaining down from every seam.
None of those are emergencies on their own. Together they turn a normal Sunday load of laundry into a basement floor drain backing up.
Offsets versus bellies, and why the fix differs
An offset can often be managed with a scheduled cut and jet. A belly holds water permanently and eventually needs a spot repair, so knowing which one you have decides whether you are buying maintenance or construction.


