No matter how much you scrub and disinfectant, that creeping ring of grime at the base of your bathroom faucet just keeps growing. You look around your bathroom and realize, “Yes, it could all use a makeover!” Mosby Building Arts is excited to bring you The Right Bath, a bathroom remodeling process that gives you affordable design for peace of mind.

When introduced to The Right Bath, a common response is, “Well, aren’t they all the right bath?” To which Mosby responds, “You would think they are, but mostly they cover up real problems for short-term benefits. We do a bathroom remodel the right way at the right price with quality that lasts a lifetime.”

“My Bath Is Too Big a Project”

We live with our bathrooms every day, so we’re well aware of the annoyances of unsightly grime, decay, mold, rust and outdated fixtures and accessories. When we’re embarrassed for guests to see the hall bathroom or powder room, it’s time for an update.

But the very thought of a bath remodel can cause anxieties including fears of it being too expensive, too lengthy, and too inconvenient. These valid concerns are what bring some homeowners to bath-in-a-box companies who advertise fast and cheap bathroom cover-ups. Those seemingly easy solutions leave many dissatisfied clients, who become dismayed at the actual costs, the cheapness of the materials, and shoddy workmanship that soon reveals major problems that were not corrected.

Bath Remodeling Done the Right Way

The Right Bath by Mosby answers the need for an affordable, hassle-free bath remodel with long-lasting quality and beauty. Mosby’s 63 years of experience in designing and building bathrooms to be proud of is distilled into a convenient process that addresses these concerns:

Quality A bathroom is a high traffic area so fixtures must be durable as well as beautiful. Mosby provides classic Kohler fixtures and accessories at a reasonable price.  These are installed by seasoned carpenters and specialists who build sustainable and healthy bathrooms. Mosby does not cut corners by covering up problems, they solve the problems once and for all.

Convenience Do you really have the time to comparison shop for contractors, fixtures and accessories? Mosby relieves the stress of decisions by being your one-stop resource. Shop at home, choosing options from design packages created by Mosby designers. Gain confidence with upfront work scopes and budgets that eliminate surprises.  Get peace of mind from Mosby carpenters that obtain permits, build to code, and work in an efficient and respectful manner.

Collaboration Mosby works with you as a consultative team member, providing answers and education that guide you through the process. When completed, you will be proud of what was accomplished together as team and have a beautiful, clean bathroom from a reliable partner you can trust.

Affordability The value of doing it right the first time is far greater than the cost of a cheap, fast bath. There is no comparison between the value of The Right Bath by Mosby and a “bath-in-a-box” cover up. Consider the long-term sustainable solutions, quality and expert workmanship that Mosby brings to this comprehensive remodel, and know that you can have the bathroom you deserve at the right price.

Based on square footage, a bathroom is the most expensive room in the home to remodel. You can retain and improve the value of your home by improving it the right way.  A beauty treatment is only skin deep while a solution goes to the core. You can trust Mosby Building Arts for long-term, sustainable bath solutions which are affordable, safe, healthy and beautiful.

Mosby understands Metro St. Louis homeowners’ apprehensions about investing in a bathroom remodeling project, and so removes the stress and anxiety to bring you a bathroom you can be proud of and that will bring peace of mind for years to come.

To have The Right Bath at the right price, call Mosby Building Arts at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

For those in their Golden Years, a common concern is the seemingly inevitable life transition of leaving your longtime home for a retirement community. Add to this major dilemma an unsure housing economy, and the concern becomes all the more perplexing.

What if you could turn your existing home into the ultimate version of the retirement villa you would envision? Would you stay in your home if it met all the wants and needs of your life?

A recent AARP survey found that over 80% of people over 60-years old desire to stay in their own homes for the rest of their lives, meaning they prefer to age in place. Typically, the aging process is blamed for many problems we encounter with daily activities, when, often, it is the home that creates the difficulties.

Homes geared to younger adults do not properly support the physical and sensory changes we experience as we age. With even minor aging changes, an insignificant home feature can have significant effects. For instance, a change in lighting can change how well you see in your own home.

50+ living is all about independent, barrier-free comfort and function.  Accessible design benefits all the generations of family and friends who come into your home, and it will be as beautiful and stylish as you desire.

Interior Accessible Design Success Story

A St. Louis County couple had been in the same home for decades.  They had raised a family there, and their children and grandchildren all lived nearby.  Nearing retirement, they realized that they wanted to stay in their own home within their community, and worked with Mosby Building Arts on planning their home for life.

Working with a Mosby Certified Aging In-Place (CAPS) designer, they reviewed current needs and future concerns and decided to make the master bathroom their first accessible design project because this where we tend to first notice changing capabilities.

To look at this bathroom, you would not immediately know that it’s accessible, but it certainly is.  The His & Hers bathroom vanities have single-lever faucet handles for ease of use, and are separated by a chair-height counter top with open space below.  This can accommodate a chair now or a wheelchair if needed in the future.

The toilet is of taller height than average which makes sitting down and getting up much easier, and a stylish grab bar to the right adds to the ease of use. The push-button control pad mounted to the vanity controls flushing, heating and lid functions.

The walk-in shower has a low-clearance threshold, multiple brushed, coordinated stainless grab bars, a handheld shower wand and a retractable teak wood bench mounted to the wall.

See more photos of this accessible bathroom project.

Exterior Accessible Design Success Story

A long-time Mosby Building Arts client is currently vibrant and active, but is thinking ahead by teaming with Mosby to create a long-term plan for her home. Mosby moved her laundry room from the basement to a new ground floor addition off the garage, and even built new, shallow steps for easier access from the garage to the house (above).

She is also a veteran gardener with a gorgeous backyard, so Mosby came up with designs to make her outdoor living just as accessible as indoors.  The Mosby CAPS team designed and built a new patio with a lightly textured concrete surface for better traction, and a screen porch with a zero-clearance entry from the patio so that a walker or wheelchair can pass with no difficulty.

Her favorite feature is the concrete ramp that leads from the patio down into the garden.  She already enjoys how convenient the lack of steps is, which highlights how so many accessible design features just make good sense for everyone who uses them.

See more photos of this accessible outdoor living project.

Other features that add mobility and beauty to outdoor living include increased lighting, raised flower planters and beds, raised height water spigots and wide sliding or French doors leading out to the area. When done properly, nothing looks out of the ordinary because it looks extraordinary.

Mosby Building Arts has three CAPS team members – including Scott Mosby who was the first national CAPS ambassador – who are certified and experienced at helping you live more comfortably in your home for life. To explore your accessible design options, call 314.909.1800 or contact Mosby here.

We are pleased to be returning to the St. Charles Home Show, April 23-25, 2010.  This event is open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. each day (ends on Sunday at 5 p.m.), so you have an entire Spring weekend to come visit with us. Admission and parking are free!

Click here for driving directions to the St. Charles Home Show.

Mosby Solution Center

There are so many facets to remodeling and repairs, and you have many questions covering many topics. We bring together all the experts you need in one area so that you can efficiently discuss your home improvement needs and get the right answers.

Come to Aisle 400 with your list of questions and get answers about architecture and remodeling, flooring, kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures, skylights and junk removal. Talk with plumbers, electricians, designers and home consultants. This unprecedented level of knowledge and convenience is what makes the Mosby Solution Center your greatest one-stop resource for home enhancement.

Special Offers & Discounts

Visit with all the Mosby Solution Center Trade Partners to learn about special offers and discounts available exclusively to St. Charles Home Show guests.

On Stage: The Beauty of 50-Plus Living

Our lifestyles change as we age, and our homes can change right along with us. Join Scott Mosby at the Better Living Theater for a talk about how the 50+ Revolution is transforming the beauty and function of Metro St. Louis homes. Learn how to be safe, comfortable and independent in the home you love on Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at noon.

On Stage: Take Back Your Lawn from Moles & Voles

Mosby Solution Center Trade Partner Jeff Holper (aka The Mole Hunter) solves your indoor and outdoor pest problems the Better Living Theater stage and from booth # 415 inside the Mosby Solution Center.  Click for Jeff’s show times.

KMOX Live Broadcast from the Home Show

Watch Scott do his KMOX Home Improvement Show from booth #416 inside the Mosby Solution Center on Saturday, April 24th.  See the Answer Man in action from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Find Your Perfect Colors

You are drawn to different colors for personal reasons. Come to booth # 406 in the Mosby Solution Center to take a Porter Paints quiz that reveals the paint palette that will express your unique personality.

The Right Bath by Mosby

When it’s time to update your bathrooms, go with professional design and peace of mind. See the Right Bath display in booth # 410, and learn how you can have Mosby quality and expert workmanship at an affordable price.  Don’t just cover it up, do it right the first time with the Right Bath by Mosby Building Arts.

The place to be for all your home improvement needs and inspirations is the St. Charles Home Show, April 23-25^th, 2010. We are at your service, and hope to see you there!

Would you like more room for living and entertaining?  Well, simply walk out your back door to see an untapped resource for extending your living space. Your back yard easily transforms into an outdoor living oasis with the addition of a deck or patio, so let the planning begin.

Decks and patios can easily incorporate gazebos, pergolas, pools, fountains and gardens…the options are limitless!  Which is why collaborating with design professionals is the best way to get an “outdoor room” that truly enhances your lifestyle and the value of your home.

When you work with a Mosby Building Arts design planner, dreams become reality by exploring the details on paper before the first hammer swings. Areas of consideration include:

Size Matters Picture how you’d like to live with a deck or patio; will it be a private space for your family to relax, or a place for entertaining large groups? Or would you like a flexible plan that can accommodate a combination of the two? Answers to these questions will determine how much furniture and square footage is needed.

Follow the Sun South-facing backyards need shaded areas on the deck, while a northfacing backyard may not require the awnings, pergolas or overhangs that create cool respite. Observing the sun, shade and wind will inform the overall design and function of the area.

Water & Light If you long to spend evening outside, you’ll need good lighting for safety, security and ambiance. Plan ahead for fixtures and electrical outlet needs. And install the proper number of outdoor faucets for watering gardens or a sink in an outdoor kitchen.

Maintenance & Durability You deserve to enjoy your outdoor room, not maintain it.  Work with a planner to choose the materials, finishes and sealers that protect your investment and leisure time.

Design Harmony An outdoor living space is an extension of your home, so it should enhance the exterior. Select materials, finishes and colors that coordinate with roofing, siding and windows. Consider the size, color and placement of landscaping around the patio. Mosby planners can keep an eye on the big picture so your new spaces harmoniously integrate with the whole.

Build It Right There are multiple structural and safety concerns when attaching a deck or patio to your home. Mosby carpenters apply for permits and build to the regulations of your municipality so you have a safe, watertight deck that serves  your family for decades.

Imagine your family room expanding into the backyard and realize the boundless potential for outdoor living.  To begin your backyard adventure and improve your warm-weather lifestyle, collaborate with the Mosby Building Arts planning and design team by calling 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

Brick and stone are the oldest and most durable building materials, but they also absorb water like sponges, which makes them vulnerable to cracking and crumbling. Sealing brick and stone is the best way to protect it from the wear and tear of water damage.

Sealing Brick

Brick is hard and dense, but quite porous and easily penetrated by water. For certain types of brick, it takes 20 seconds for the water to seep through to the back side, while other types pass water immediately. When it rains, or the garden hose hits it, a brick wall simply soaks up the water. That moisture transfers to everything surrounding the brick, including the tuckpointing mortar and the understructure of your home.

A by-product of brick’s absorption is efflorescence (shown above), the white film that appears on bricks with water management problems. Efflorescence happens when water that has seeped into the brick reappears upon evaporation as salt on the surface, which usually looks like a powdery, white deposit.  Left uncorrected, this process will eventually break down the brick’s structural integrity. Sealing brick almost always solves the efflorescence problem.

A brick is only as good as the mortar around it, so tuckpointing needs protection, too.  The bonus is that brick and tuckpointing is sealed at the same time, creating a continuous, protective shield that keeps water out.  When you consider the expense of tuckpointing, removing that maintenance from your future is a cost-effective benefit.

Sealing Stone

From flagstone sidewalks, to fieldstone patios to stone foundation walls on older homes, natural stone is a classic and desirable material, but it is just as porous as brick.  You need to seal stone and mortar to protect this sizeable investment.

When exterior stone wicks up more water than it can handle, the physical expansion of the stone is what causes it to crack. The frequent freeze/thaw cycles in Metro St. Louis are what cause our pothole problems on the streets; this same process also affects our stone wall and walks.  Once those cracks happen, water will continually wear down the stone from the inside, leading to an eventual crumble.

The photo above is from a Mosby Building Arts water management project on a St. Louis County deck, and it shows the damage to the wood structure behind the cracked stone column pictured above of this photo. This is what happens when water gets the chance to penetrate a stone surface. Sealed stone has a protective barrier that repels and reduces this kind of harmful water absorption. This seal also has the added benefit of resisting mildew, algae and moss, which reduces clean up of these common stains.

Seal It Right the First Time

When installing new brick or stone, include sealing as part of the work scope. For existing stone and brick, have it sealed now to maintain and prolong the life of what is already in place.

Mosby Building Arts has a high-performance brick, masonry and stone sealing system that provides internal protection against water. Our ProTreat Sealer team has over 20 years of experience and diagnoses which sealer works best for your materials, and how to properly clean and prep the surface before applying that sealer.  We also offer you the option of a sealer that will not alter surface colors, or go with a sealer that enhances and brightens the colors of natural stone.

Because you’ve made a sizable investment in brick, stone and mortar, you should protect it by sealing it right the first time with Mosby Building Arts. For deep protection from our deep bench of professionals, call 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

Scenes from a deck collapse in South St. Louis City, Spring 2010.

With the recent collapse of a 2^nd story deck in South St. Louis City (injuring 7), that brings us to a total of two major deck collapses in St. Louis in less than a year. And the 2010 outdoor season has only just begun.

So, it is the season to get serious about deck safety. Did you know nearly 85% of homes in the United States have a deck, and the North American Deck and Railing Association estimates that 20 million of these decks are in need of repair or rebuilding?

In the past 10 years, there have been more than 800 reported injuries and at least 30 reported deaths as a result of deck collapses, and this number increases at an average rate of 21% per year. In many cases, the failing decks were built incorrectly, not properly maintained or were beyond their lifespan of approximately 10-15 years.

With every deck collapse that makes the news, Mosby Home Consultants are called out to evaluate deck conditions because they are experienced in evaluating both the deck and the contributing factors that may be overlooked by less experienced carpenters.

Mosby Home Consultants inspect several problem decks a month, and these are the 10 most common mistakes they see:

10. Unsealed wood
Unsealed wood decks can age and deteriorate faster than sealed decks. Proper sealing prolongs the appearance and life of a deck well beyond unsealed decks. Avoid the “worn out” look by sealing it.

9. Stairs with open risers or missing railings
Open space between steps invites accidents. Avoid injuries and create a tailored look by covering the risers. Hand railings are fundamental to the safety of a stairwell.

8. Improper railing height and baluster spacing
Building codes have very specific measurements for railings and balusters to avoid accidents and injuries.

7. Undersized structural members
An undersized structural member increases the risk of deck collapse and can create sagging and improper weight distribution. Avoid deck warping and collapsing by properly sizing all members and components of your deck.

6. Missing or improper joist hangers
Nails alone are not enough to counteract the shear forces on a structural member. Joist hangers are an essential element in creating reinforced connections and supported decking. Ensure the safety of your deck by using properly sized, engineered, and correctly installed joist hangers.

5. Improper Deck Materials
Weather resistant materials are necessary on exterior structures to prevent rot or deterioration. There are specific fasteners for exterior conditions and it is critical that the proper fasteners are used. Select materials that are expressly made to withstand all weather conditions.

4. Undersized footings
Footings create a solid base for the posts of your deck. Undersized footings can lead to sagging, warping or collapse.

3. Improper attachment to structure of house (incorrect fasteners)
How your deck attaches to your home determines its safety and durability. This is an area that you may want to overbuild beyond the minimum standards or requirements. Again material, size, and quality are critical.

2. Improper or missing flashing
Every deck must address water management. Water can soak into your home at the point where the deck connects to the house. Properly installed flashing will prevent erosion to the structural integrity of your deck and home.

1. Not obtaining a permit to build a deck
Obtaining a permit is the most overlooked step in deck building. Safety is the main focus of following the permitting process of your town.

The majority of deck building mistakes can be avoided by applying for a building permit through your City Hall. The permit process requires drawings and specifications of the proposed deck. Building Inspectors will verify that the deck plans meet the local building and safety codes. This crucial step will save you from making costly mistakes before the first hammer swings. The permit process requires on-site inspections during construction phases to insure the deck is being built according to code.

It is crucial for the safety of your family and your guests that a deck is built properly. Mosby Building Arts’ staff of planners will handle the design, drawings and permit applications. Furthermore our carpenters will build a deck of beauty, enduring quality and utmost safety for your family and friends outdoor enjoyment for years to come.

If your deck is showing even one of the 10 signs of an unsafe deck, call Mosby for deck inspection and repair at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

As spring unfolds, we venture outside to bask in the sunshine, leaving behind memories of being cooped up in the house all winter. And as we welcome the April rains that bring May flowers, we need to keep an eye on all that water.

The Midwest had a particularly wet winter, which is already manifesting itself as rising flood waters in the Metropolitan St. Louis area. Keep in mind that the upcoming rainy season will add even more moisture to saturated ground, and we face the threat of water damage to our homes if it’s not managed properly.

Signs of Water Damage

Falling plaster or puddles in the basement are obvious signs of a major water problem, but your home reveals other clues that alert you to developing water damage. Pay attention to the following warning signs in and around your home:

Ponding

Immediately after a heavy rain, survey your yard for standing puddles of water. This is referred to as ponding, and indicates inadequate drainage. Standing water has to go somewhere, and all too often it works its way into the foundation and, eventually, your basement or crawlspace.

Wood Rot

Inspect door and window jambs, noting the condition of the wood frames.  Wood that looks chewed or ragged is a surface clue to a continual water leak which may be happening behind the scenes.  Also check the flooring on the interior side of a door threshold; warping or stains often indicates water leaking in under the door jamb.

Black Spots

Shine a flashlight along the structural framing that comprises the perimeter of your basement ceiling, and look for black streaks or spots. This is often mold which means there’s a constant source of moisture that feeds it and allows it to flourish.  These black spots or streaks can also show up on the basement walls.

Drywall Blemishes

Interior drywall showing spots, marks or stains that weren’t there previously are usually a sign of substantial water leaks going on behind the walls.  Often the evidence showing on interior walls or ceilings is merely the end of the trail of a leak that has started elsewhere in the home’s envelope.

How To Prevent Water Damage

Water that invades the interior of your home can adversely affect your health (in the form of allergies and respiratory problems) as well as damage the surfaces and structures it comes in contact with.

Water is the Number One enemy of a home. It is always seeking a way inside, and efficient water management is the key to keeping it outside where it belongs.

Enjoy your spring free of water problems with smart water management ideas that include:

• Re-grading yards to minimize ponding, erosion and flooding

• Burying gutter downspouts to minimize surface water drainage near the house

• Landscaping with native grasses and plants that absorb excess water

• Sealing concrete, stone and wood to slow deterioration and damage to these materials

• Caulking concrete expansion joints to avoid erosion under the pavement

• Installing proper roof, window and door flashing

• Sealing brick and tuckpointing to minimize absorption of water into interior wall cavities

Your Water Management Experts

Do you need help with leaks or other water problems? Mosby Home Consultants specialize in identifying and solving water management problems, with decades of experience in detecting water damage and tracing it to the root cause.

Click for a pdf on Mosby successfully solving a mysterious water leak.

Mosby Building Arts will find the true cause of a water leak and repair it right the first time. Read a case study of a challenging water damage repair successfully completed.

For the detection, repair and maintenance of water leaks and damage, call the Mosby water management experts at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.