Whether it is next year or 20 years from now, certain home improvement projects are timeless because they are immune to trends or personal taste – it’s all about soundness, efficiency and comfort.

Here are improvements that create a reliable, safe and beautiful home for you right now, and will have true value for future buyers.

Exterior Renovation The outside of your home is a first impression. Improvements to your siding, roofing and windows set the tone of its value.

A Solid Foundation A weak or compromised foundation eventually affects the entire house by creating structural problems. Attend to foundation problems as soon as they become apparent.

A Dry Basement Wet basements breed mold which breeds health problems. A water proof basement is healthy, safe for storage and can be refinished.

A Reliable Roof Good roofing, ventilation and insulation reduce maintenance, helps the heating and cooling system work efficiently, and promotes healthy indoor air quality.

Heating, Cooling & Water Heater Investing in energy efficient HVAC lowers your utility bills, increases your comfort, and improves indoor air quality. It also helps reduce our dependence on natural resources.

Water & Moisture Management Protect your home with proper yard drainage and ensure that your roof flashing, gutters and downspouts are moving water away from the interior of your home.

Accessibility Improvements People of all ages and abilities benefit from accessible design features like 3 foot wide entries, zero-clearance thresholds, no-slip flooring and task lighting.

Kitchens & Bathrooms These are the rooms we use the most and that future buyers care about the most. Improvements and upgrades to these areas bring the highest return on your investment.

Spending on any of these home improvements will bring you immediate satisfaction as well as long-term benefits. But to reap the rewards, the work must be done right the first time to have lasting value.

In the Metro St. Louis area, there is one home improvement company that can take care of all projects on this list. Learn more about Mosby Building Arts’ services. Call Mosby at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Ever wonder what makes up a typical day for KMOX Home Answer Man Scott Mosby? The May 2012 issue of Small Business Monthly finds the answers, and gives readers an insight into Scott’s company.

SBM editor Jeremy Nulik spent an entire day following Scott Mosby from his home in Glendale, MO to a day of meetings at his St. Louis residential remodeling firm Mosby Building Arts.

The day included an interview with Nina Patel, of Remodeling magazine about Mosby’s use of Pinterest, company meetings and a presentation of bathroom drawings to a client.

SBM is a free publication available in various locations throughout Metropolitan St. Louis.

Read the entire article on-line here.  You’ll get a kick out of what he had for lunch!

We frequently hear from homeowners seeking answers to repair and maintenance problems. Many of these questions and answers are compiled in our Home Improvement Library. Here is a recent question.

Question
A large section of my asphalt shingle roof has to be replaced with new shingles because they went bad. But the rest of the shingles are fine.  It’s the same shingle across the entire roof, but why did some go bad and not others? And how long should asphalt shingles usually last?

Answer
Asphalt shingles can last from 12 – 30 years, depending on the conditions around your home. Because you are in Metropolitan St. Louis, our extreme weather conditions can shorten the life expectancy of your roof.

When only a portion of the asphalt roof shingles have failed prematurely, it suggests that the problem is not with the roofing material but possibly with your attic ventilation.

The roof is actually a multifaceted system working in tandem. The components are:
• Shingles
• Flashing
• Soffit, Fascia & Gutters
• Attic Ventilation
• Air Infiltration
• Insulation

Read about the pieces of your roof system and how they work in tandem.

If one of these links in the chain is out of whack, the entire roof system is put in jeopardy. Before replacing the failed shingles, you should have your attic inspected for proper ventilation. This is a service we offer at Mosby Building Arts – learn more here.

To set up a consulting visit, please call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

A homeowner recently contacted a St. Louis sealing technician about removing a year old olive oil stain from her granite countertop. She didn’t catch the spill at the time it happened, and because the granite was not sealed, the oil soaked into the stone and left a yellowish stain. Was it too late to remove this stain?

The sealing technician was able to pull out some of the stain with multiple applications of Tide with Bleach poultices. But because the spill happened on unsealed granite, it soaked deep into the stone and left a visible mark.

This story highlights the importance of sealing your granite countertops.  Natural stone is porous, and it’s expensive; protect your investment by shielding it from the countless items in your kitchen that can mar it.

How Do You Know If Granite Has Been Sealed?

If you move into a home that already has granite or natural stone countertops, your wisest move is to have it sealed right away. This is because the typical sealer needs to be reapplied every 6 month to 2 years, so erring on the side of caution by assuming it’s time to re-seal can save you from a stain.

You can save money and avoid stains by using a natural stone sealer that is applied once and lasts for  15 years. ProTreat Sealing by Mosby internally bonds with stone and stops stains from penetrating right at the surface. And it is applied by highly experienced Mosby sealing technicians who have perfected the science of sealing.

Learn how to care for granite countertops.

Even if your granite has been sealed with other products, the advanced technology of ProTreat goes through other sealers and creates a new bond. Learn more about Mosby Building Arts’ stone sealing service. Call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

From 10am to 1pm on Sunday, May 6, 2012, join KMOX Home Answer Man Scott Mosby under the tent in Millennium Park in Creve Coeur, MO for Breakfast with the Bassets, sponsored by Guardian Angel Basset Rescue.

If you have a basset hound, bring them along to romp with the other hounds. Or if you are interested in adopting a basset hound, check out the basset hounds who are looking for new homes.

In the picture above, Scott is hanging with Saffron, an adorable basset hound who shares a home with 2 other bassets (and the people who love them). They have had their home remodeled by Scott’s firm, Mosby Building Arts. Here’s a photo of the doggie gates they designed and built for Saffie’s home:

Mosby also created a custom dog ramp and gate for their backyard deck. See the pictures here.

Come to this free event and learn more about ways to rescue basset hounds that need a home, and learn unique ways to customize your home so you and your dogs can live a harmonious life.

Millennium Park is behind Barnes West Hospital on Olive Road in Creve Couer, MO. Click for a Google Map of the park’s location.

Look for the big white tent and a bunch of bassets romping in the park, and you’re there!

We frequently hear from homeowners seeking answers to repair and maintenance problems. Many of these questions and answers are compiled in our Home Improvement Library. Here is a recent question.

Question

I noticed mold growing only behind artwork I have hanging on the west and north walls of my home. These are both exterior walls, and there’s no mold behind artwork on interior walls. There are no signs of water leaking into my house, and the walls appear to be dry. The exterior is brick and the interior is finished drywall.  Do you have any idea what may be causing this mold growth behind my artwork and how I can eliminate the problem?

Answer

The reason mold accumulates only behind pictures on the exterior walls is due to condensation caused by the interior of your home being cool with a relatively high humidity level and the exterior being warm during the summer months. It works in exactly the same way that a glass of ice water sweats while sitting on the kitchen counter. Plus, the hanging picture restricts air movement which causes the space behind the picture to remain moist, and this is the ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew.

This is a common occurrence on solid masonry structures, or structures that are poorly insulated. The interior walls do not show these symptoms because everything inside is of uniform temperature so no condensation occurs.

Prevent Mold & Mildew Growth

If your display or storage space is particularly prone to mold growth, consider the following:

• Air circulation minimizes mold growth. Paintings or artworkshanging on the wall should therefore have a spacer behind them so that they are not in direct contact with the wall. External walls, in particular, transfer dampness from outside.
• Keep the fans on, especially at night, not just for your comfort but for the benefit of your artwork. Highest levels of humidity are reached during the early hours of the morning.
• Avoid placing objects in the corners of rooms because there is naturally less air circulation in corners.
• Maintain a clean environment by vacuuming to prevent dust, because mold settles and thrives on dust.
• Regularly inspect artwork for signs of mold and remove it immediately.

If mold is growing in particular areas of the room, even during the dry season, it usually indicates the presence of localized high humidity which may be caused by faulty plumbing, improper exterior wall coverings or improper flashing. Any of these factors will allow the wall to collect moisture and can create additional mold issues.

Moisture problems in your home can be corrected. Learn more about our water and moisture repair in the St. Louis area. Call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

Water leaks are a common homeowner problem, but perhaps the most frustrating is the leak that no one can fix.

Water leaks are illogical because they seldom come from where you think they should. Water is lazy, taking the path of least resistance into your home, which is why logical and linear repairs can often fail to fix the problem. To properly fix a water leak, you need someone who understands how houses are built, how everything is interconnected, and how water will take that easiest way into your home.

Water Leaks That Specialists Can’t Fix

At the first appearance of water damage on your ceiling or walls, it is typical to think the roof is leaking and call in a roof specialist. A roofer may make a spot repair or install a whole new roof. But if the leak comes back after the next heavy rain, you need to take a look at your roof flashing, especially around the chimney.

If you see water coming in around a window, it seems logical to call a window specialist, who may suggest a replacement window. If the water problem returns after having spent the money on a new window, you need to check the flashing and siding around the windows.

When there’s a persistent water leak in your basement, it makes sense to bring in a foundation specialist. Solutions can include patching cracks and waterproofing the foundation. If the water still continues to seep in after paying for these repairs, you need to check the landscaping against your home, or look for leaks behind the siding in that area.

In all of these scenarios, time and money has been spent without solving the problem, and requires another specialist to come in with suggestions that cost even more money. A logical question to ask in each of these scenarios is why did the specialist not check the pieces that connect to their area?

Why They Didn’t Spot the Real Source of the Water Leak

A specialist is trained to concentrate only on their area of expertise. Following the leaking window example, a replacement window installer may notice that the framing and wall boards around the window well are rotting from water exposure. However, they are there to install a window, not repair water damage.

You may have a conscientious specialist who notices problems outside their area of expertise and alerts you. When the problem is outside of their knowledge scope, it is good for them to err on the side of caution so as not to create an even bigger problem. But that still puts you in the position of having to hire a chain of specialists to tackle a reoccurring water problem.

You Need a Water Leak Detective

Those who know how homes are built and remodeled are the ones who understand how every piece of a house is connected to the other parts. Instead of a specialist, you need a general practitioner – also known as a general contractor – who sees the big picture of your home, and knows how to fix every link in the chain of your water leak.

St. Louis remodeling firm Mosby Building Arts specializes in detecting and correcting all interior and exterior water problems. They are deeply experienced in tracing water damage to its starting point and fixing the problem right the first time.

Here’s an example of how Mosby solved a mysterious water leak.

Learn more about Mosby’s water and moisture repair services.

If you’re in the Metro St. Louis region and have a reoccurring water problem that defies all attempts to repair it, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

A designer who creates furniture pieces unique to your room and adds a little flair to your personal style is a great addition to any remodeling team. This is why St. Louis remodeling firm Mosby Building Arts is pleased to have Jill Worobec join their Planning and Design team.

Jill began in the remodeling industry in 1998 doing hand renderings of kitchen and bath designs. She’s added a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and Certified Kitchen Designer through the National Kitchen & Bath Association to her resume. Jill’s kitchen design work has been published in Decorating Spaces and she has been a judge for St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles Kitchen of the Year contest.

Jill’s role as Planner & Designer at Mosby is about developing a project from start to finish.  She collaborates with the clients through every step of the design process, including design and construction drawings, product selections and overseeing all project details as they travel from design to construction.

Her passion is creating kitchens and bathrooms because those spaces have the most positive impact on a family’s lifestyle, and she takes great delight in designing furniture to go into those rooms. When asked what she loves most about remodeling, Jill replied, “It’s in my blood. I grew up in construction and have always enjoyed building things. I love seeing an idea blossom into reality.”

To collaborate with Jill Worobec on your remodeling idea, call the Mosby Building Arts office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

The hose that extends from the back of your clothes dryer to an opening on the exterior of your home is known as a dryer vent pipe. This hose carries the lint and moisture from inside the clothes dryer to the outside. This pipe can be made of flexible, accordion-like aluminum or plastic, or smooth metal tubing, and connects to both the dryer and the outside vent with elbow joints.

The photo above is what a St. Louis homeowner found when he disconnected one end of the vent pipe from the backside of his dryer. In his case, this was six years of build-up for a family of four (including two young boys) who are constantly running loads of laundry. Once they realized they were increasing drying time to avoid damp clothing is when he disconnected the hose and found these conditions (the photo below is the two foot span of pipe leading to the exterior vent).

A dryer vent pipe caked with lint does eventually affect drying times, but it can also be a fire hazard. This type of blockage can restrict hot air from venting properly to the outside, and because lint is flammable, this buildup of heat can cause a spark.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 15,000 home fires a year are attributable to clogged dryer vents. This is why it’s worth your time to investigate the state of your dryer venting hose.

Once you have disconnected both ends of the hose, you have two options for removing lint build-up. You can gently snake a wire dryer vent brush (similar to what is shown above) through the hose, which knocks out the lint. Or you can use the longest attachment on your home or shop vacuum to remove the lint.

If you have an accordion-style vent hose, be sure to completely unfold it so you can reach lint trapped in the folds. And be gentle to avoid puncturing the hose.

The photo above shows an hour’s worth of work by our homeowner to clear the entire length of his dryer vent pipe; he also vacuumed in the area around the lint trap on the front of the dryer.  The immediate benefit is a return to shorter clothes drying times. The lasting benefit is a sense of security knowing that a potential fire hazard has been removed.

If you have any questions about how to clean your own clothes dryer vents and air ducts, or would like professional help, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

There are a lot of questions when it’s time to install new siding on your home, and the most frequently asked question is also the most important one to get right: Should I remove the old siding, or can the new siding go over it?

If you want your investment in new siding to have lasting value, do not cover up old problems. We strongly advocate removing all the old siding, installing a wind and moisture membrane like Tyvek over the wall sheathing, and then applying the new siding.

Quite often, new siding is needed because the old siding has failed, or come to the end of its useful life. If in doubt, here’s how to determine if you need new siding.

Moisture behind the siding is a common reason for failing siding, so if you apply new siding over old, you are trapping the existing moisture problem. This can turn the old siding into a sponge that forces the water deeper into the structure of your home.

Removing the old siding also provides the opportunity to inspect and correct any moisture or mold problems that were hidden. A wet wall cavity can lead to rot, mold, mildew and can cause some very serious health and structural consequences. Areas to check and correct include the exterior wall sheathing, the insulation (or add it if none exists) and the flashing.

Once water problems have been addressed, applying new house wrap not only protects against wind and moisture, it boosts the effectiveness and endurance of your new siding.

Seldom do re-siding installers offer, advocate or remove the old siding for cost reasons. But how do we really know what is happening inside a wall cavity without opening up the wall? Removing the old siding prior to re-siding your house is good practice, good business and a wise decision to make for the best value in your new siding investment. You will be protecting the health of your family and your home.

You can get answers to all your siding installation questions and expert installation of new siding from Mosby Building Arts. Learn more about their siding services here, or call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800.