Author: dirty
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A Hidden Problem at the Drip Line
If you own a home in Archuleta County, you live on soils that can move more than you might expect. Certain local clays swell when they get wet and shrink when they dry out. That constant movement shows up as cracks in slabs, sticky doors, and bowed or leaning foundation walls. The most active area…
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Expansive Soils: A Hidden Hazard Beneath Archuleta County Homes
If you own a home in Archuleta County, there may be a risk below the surface that is easy to miss: expansive soils, which swell when wet and shrink when dry. In Colorado, expansive soils and rock are recognized geologic hazards because repeated movement can crack foundations, distort structures, damage slabs, walls, and utilities. What…
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Juniper Shrubs and Fire Risk: What Southwest Colorado Property Owners Need to Know
If you live in Southwest Colorado, you’ve probably seen juniper shrubs used in landscaping around homes, cabins, and outbuildings. They’re hardy, drought-tolerant, and low maintenance. But there’s a serious downside that often gets overlooked: juniper is highly flammable, especially when planted close to structures. As wildfire risk continues to increase across our region, understanding how…
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Why French Drains Matter for Pagosa‑Area Homes
In Archuleta County, a lot of drainage trouble for homeowners comes from three main sources: roof runoff, snowmelt, and poor grading around the house. When roof shed or gutters dump water right at the foundation, snow piles melt along walls, or the yard slopes toward the home instead of away from it, water soaks into…