Gunnison, CO Service Area
Restoration Services for Gunnison, Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley
Gunnison sits at about 7,700 feet where the Gunnison River and Tomichi Creek meet, surrounded by national forest, Blue Mesa Reservoir and some of the best fishing, hunting and skiing in Colorado. It's also home to Western Colorado University, and 30 miles north, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte draw skiers and summer visitors from all over.
Valley Restoration & Construction is a locally owned restoration company based in Olathe, Colorado, and we serve Gunnison, Crested Butte and the communities in between. When water, fire, smoke or mold damages your home, cabin or business, call us any time at (970) 964-4437. Our technicians are trained to IICRC S500/S520/S700 standards for water damage, mold remediation and fire and smoke restoration.
Why Gunnison Valley Homes Take a Beating
The Gunnison Valley is known for long, cold winters. The valley floor traps cold air on clear nights, and Gunnison regularly records some of the coldest temperatures in the country. Crested Butte, at roughly 8,900 feet, gets heavy snow on top of the cold. That climate creates a specific set of problems:
- Frozen and burst pipes. Deep, long-lasting cold can freeze pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces and garages, and in homes where the heat fails or is turned down too far. Homes that sit empty for weeks are at the most risk because a leak can run for days before anyone notices.
- Ice dams and roof leaks. Heavy snow loads, heat escaping into the attic and sunny afternoons create ice dams along the eaves. Meltwater backs up under the roofing and leaks into ceilings and walls.
- Spring runoff and flooding. Snowmelt can push the Gunnison River and Tomichi Creek high, and ice or debris can block channels. Saturated ground can push water into basements and crawl spaces.
- Wildfire and smoke. Dry summers bring wildfire risk to the forested areas around the valley, and smoke can damage a home without any flames reaching it.
Crawl Spaces, Cabins and Condos
Gunnison has older homes near downtown and the university, newer homes in subdivisions around town, and plenty of rural properties and cabins up the river drainages toward Almont and out toward Powderhorn. Many sit over crawl spaces. In a cold climate a crawl space is often where the trouble starts: a frozen supply line, a torn or missing vapor barrier, condensation on cold surfaces, or moisture that leads to mold on the joists and subfloor.
Crested Butte adds older mining-era homes in town, newer mountain homes and many condos and second homes that sit empty for part of the year. A leak in an unoccupied unit can affect neighbors below and next door, so fast response and clear documentation matter.
Colorado is also known for elevated radon levels, and crawl spaces and basements are where radon usually enters a home. Testing is the only way to know. Our radon mitigation team installs crawl space and sub-slab systems.
Our Services in Gunnison and Crested Butte
- Water damage restoration: burst pipes, ice dam leaks, appliance and water heater failures, and runoff flooding. We extract water, dry the structure and document everything for your insurance.
- Mold cleanup: containment and removal of mold in crawl spaces, attics, basements and living areas.
- Fire and smoke restoration: smoke, soot and odor cleanup and repairs.
- Radon mitigation: testing and mitigation systems, including crawl space systems.
- Property cleanup, junk removal and remodeling, including the rebuild after a loss.
Communities We Serve in Gunnison County
We serve Gunnison, Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte, Almont, Ohio City, Pitkin, Parlin, Powderhorn and the area around Blue Mesa, as well as Telluride. If you're not sure whether we come to you, call (970) 964-4437 and ask.
Winter Checklist for Gunnison Valley Homes and Cabins
- Keep the heat at 55°F or higher, even when the home is empty. Consider a remote temperature or water-leak alert for second homes.
- Know where your main water shut-off is, and shut it off and drain the lines if a cabin will sit empty in deep cold.
- Insulate pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls, and keep crawl space vents and access doors closed for winter.
- Keep snow cleared from roof edges and downspouts where it's safe to do so, and watch for icicles and ceiling stains, which can be signs of an ice dam.
- Have someone check on the property after every hard cold snap.
For more, read our guide to preventing frozen pipes and ice dams in mountain homes.
Working With Your Insurance
Most water and fire losses involve an insurance claim. We document the damage with photos, moisture readings and notes, and we work with your adjuster to keep the claim moving. Our guide on working with your insurance company explains what to expect.
Gunnison and Crested Butte FAQ
Yes. We serve Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte and the rest of the Gunnison Valley, including Almont and the communities around Blue Mesa. Call (970) 964-4437 any time.
We answer 24/7 and send a crew as quickly as we can. Travel time depends on road and weather conditions over the passes, so we'll give you a realistic arrival time when you call and walk you through what to do in the meantime.
Keep the heat at 55°F or higher, have someone check on it after cold snaps, and consider shutting off and draining the water if it will sit empty for a long stretch. A water-leak or low-temperature alert can warn you before a small leak becomes a big one.
Ice dams form when heat escaping into the attic melts snow on the roof and the water refreezes at the colder eaves. Coverage depends on your policy, so call your agent. We document the damage and work with your adjuster.
Yes. We find the moisture source, dry the space, clean up mold and can install or repair a vapor barrier.