Why are old Denver homes all made of solid brick?

The answer to this question dates back to April 19, 1863 when a fire broke out in a building between Blake and Market Street in what we know today as LoDo. The fire spread rapidly due to the predominance of wooden buildings and destroyed approximately 50 buildings, including stores, hotels, and other businesses along Blake, Market, and Larimer Streets.

After the fire, Denver's residents and city officials realized that the extensive use of wood in construction posed a major fire risk. As a result the Brick Ordinance was born. The ordinance led to a shift away from temporary wooden structures toward more durable and fire-resistant materials, helping prevent future large-scale fires and improving public safety. The ordinance led to a shift away from temporary wooden structures toward more durable and fire-resistant materials such as brick and stone.

Given Denver’s abundance of clay, brick construction was accessible and became the standard of commercial and residential construction for nearly a century to follow. For more information on this piece of local history, check out the below article from Colorado Public Radio.

https://www.cpr.org/2019/07/01/denvers-brick-legacy-is-rooted-in-a-fire-and-the-smell-of-burning-bacon-in-the-air/

How Much Does A Standard Garage Door Tuneup Cost And What Does It Include?

A garage door and opener servicing generally costs between $120-$150, but many companies will run door service specials periodically for less than $100.  

Routine garage door and opener service typically includes a comprehensive inspection of panels, hinges, bearing, cables, drums, track and opener for any irregularities. This also typically includes re-tensioning the springs for proper balance as well as making any adjustments to the door to make things run as smoothly as possible. A garage door technician should also check the opener limits and sensitivity to ensure safe operation.

How often should a garage door be maintained and why is routine maintenance important?

Garage door professional, Louis Wilson, of Ascent Garage Doors recommends that garage doors should be serviced annually or at least every other year in order to maintain proper spring balance and make sure there isn’t any progressive failure of components that could cause larger problems. 

Many people don’t realize it, but a garage door is the largest moving part of a home and can present safety issues if not properly serviced. Regular service greatly reduces the risk of large problems with your door coming off track, getting stuck, or even panels falling, which is a huge safety hazard.