Search results for "Weaknesses" in Home Design Ideas

Water damage generates mold inside the home which has serious implications on health. Starting from minor to moderate and to serious damage, mold can cause health weakness if not removed at the earliest. Read the complete blog for detailed information.
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Amy Strode Interiors, Mike Ballard Construction, Ken Jobe Flooring, Tom Pfeifer Carpentry, Cody Weakly Painting, Fehrenbacher Cabinets,

Soak away the day in the oversized Kohler drop-in tub. Plenty of space for spreading candles around the rim.
Mid-sized transitional master multicolored tile drop-in bathtub photo in Seattle with a two-piece toilet and gray walls
Mid-sized transitional master multicolored tile drop-in bathtub photo in Seattle with a two-piece toilet and gray walls
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Quality drawers often feature dovetail joints at the corners, smooth ball-bearing glides, and solid or well-constructed drawer boxes that feel sturdy when you open and close them. Stapled or weak joints, flimsy bottoms, and sticky slides are red flags that the piece may not hold up to everyday use.

This project highlights a complete garage door opener repair in Roselle, IL. The homeowner experienced intermittent operation, sensor issues, and a weak motor response. Our team diagnosed the problem, repaired the opener, recalibrated the sensors, and programmed a new remote. The final result is a smooth, reliable, and safe garage door system with improved daily convenience.

What does a roof deck look like when every part of the roof, even areas deemed uninhabitable and structurally weak, is utilized and optimized?
This large midcentury home on the edge of Presidio National Park in San Francisco had an incredible location and views. But the original roof deck suffered from poor design detailing that had rendered it a leaking, deteriorating mess. Even worse, the previous owner had covered three roof areas surrounding the deck with river stones, structurally overloading the building and endangering its occupants.
We removed the river stones and everything else down to the framing. An expertly detailed drainage and waterproofing system underlies everything above. The deck and access stairs are surfaced with durable and refined porcelain pavers. The guardrail is made from custom stainless steel supports with clear, low-iron, laminated glass spanning between for an unobstructed view. Heated seats make watching the chilly fog roll in through the gate comfy.
Planting and greenery surround the deck. The type varies depending on structural conditions- a deep planter sits on top of a structural wall, sedums in shallow soil occupy the strong edges of the surrounding rooftops, and faux grass turf fills out the middle in areas that can’t support the weight of wet soil.

Do you know what ends our time of enjoying the wonderful Fall colors? Rain. The other day when it rained, it took most of those bright yellow leaves and brought them to the ground. It saddened me not only because the colors were gone, but now the leaves have to be cleaned up. And with the trees being larger, those leaves went everywhere. All over the ground, in the tall bushes, stuck on the window sills, lodged in the gutters and up at the chimney. Nature’s going to happen so, what are the effects of Fall rain and the Chimney? Let’s take a further look.
Fall Rain and the Chimney
The Fall leaves are gorgeous and fall is many homeowners favorite time of year. But as with all seasons, it comes to an end. The Fall rain combined with wind takes those colorful leaves and distributes them…everywhere. Especially on the roof where your chimney is located. By having an annual chimney inspection, we’ll take a look to ensure the safety of your chimney stays intact for the upcoming harsher season: Winter.
The Exterior Chimney
With Fall, we have two of the elements to be concerned about and that’s the leaves and rain. Here are a few areas we check and the effects of fall rain and the chimney. Let’s start at the top:
Chimney Cap: The chimney cap is vital for protecting the opening of your chimney which leads to the interior of your home. We inspect the chimney cap ensuring it is tightly secured to the exterior chimney termination. The chimney is typically the tallest part of your home and gets exposed to the harshest winds, rain, snow, animals and blowing debris. All of that hits the chimney cap trying to find that weak spot so it can get inside the chimney. If it does, that debris is easily ignited and can cause harm to your home.
Chimney Crown: This is the slab of concrete that covers the chimney and extends beyond the bricks or materials that make up the chimney. This is to provide protection from the elements. But remember the chimney crown can also develop cracks over time. This is where crown coat can extend the life of the chimney crown ensuring the elements stay where they should… outside.
Brick, Stone and Mortar: The structure of the chimney can be made of brick, stone or other materials. If it is made of brick or stone, then mortar is involved. All of these materials are porous, meaning that it can absorb water and snow melt, which breaks down over time. As a result, this needs to be checked looking for loose bricks, missing mortar, cracks in either one of these materials and more. Tuckpointing is a good solution to ensure the elements stay out. The use of Chimney Saver is a great way to preserve the bricks, stones and mortar as it waterproofs and protects the materials for about 8 – 10 years and slows down the aging process.
Flashing: This is the material that protects the connection of the roof to the chimney. A critical and common area for leaks. The flashing moves the water away from the chimney and down the roof. The flashing adheres to the chimney with a seal, which dries out over time. This area needs to be checked to ensure the seal is strong and doesn’t allow water to get in.
Before the cold sets in and you want to turn on or fire up the fireplace, be sure to take into consideration the effects of fall rain and the chimney. Contact us today at 877-244-6349 to set up an appointment.

This Tacoma home underwent a complete roof transformation, ensuring long-term durability and improved curb appeal. The project began with a thorough inspection, revealing aging shingles, water damage, and areas of structural weakness. The roof was in dire need of a full replacement.
We started with a meticulous removal of the old shingles and underlying materials, exposing damaged decking that required reinforcement. After replacing compromised plywood sections, we installed a high-performance underlayment to provide superior weather protection and prevent moisture infiltration.
Next, we carefully placed new, impact-resistant shingles designed to withstand the Pacific Northwest’s unpredictable weather. The skylight was resealed to ensure no future leaks, and improved ventilation was added to enhance airflow and extend the roof’s lifespan. The finishing touches included ridge vents and flashing details to ensure maximum efficiency and water resistance.
The final result is a sleek, high-quality roof built for longevity. This project not only enhanced the home’s structural integrity but also boosted its visual appeal. With expert craftsmanship and top-tier materials, this roof replacement in Tacoma guarantees lasting protection and value.

"It was only later in the design phase that it became clear that the fireplace was a weak link, so we added a new fireplace surround uplift with a mantel treatment. It really pulled the whole space together," says Mann.
Fireplace — 6x24 Rock Ledger - Marble (CTW) SLA 6x24 LEDG ROC
Hearth top & inset space — Granite-Opalesene (1/4" Bevel)
She wanted happiness in how it looks even more than how it works—and she got both. Beautiful kitchen happy wife. Happy husband too.

This Tacoma home underwent a complete roof transformation, ensuring long-term durability and improved curb appeal. The project began with a thorough inspection, revealing aging shingles, water damage, and areas of structural weakness. The roof was in dire need of a full replacement.
We started with a meticulous removal of the old shingles and underlying materials, exposing damaged decking that required reinforcement. After replacing compromised plywood sections, we installed a high-performance underlayment to provide superior weather protection and prevent moisture infiltration.
Next, we carefully placed new, impact-resistant shingles designed to withstand the Pacific Northwest’s unpredictable weather. The skylight was resealed to ensure no future leaks, and improved ventilation was added to enhance airflow and extend the roof’s lifespan. The finishing touches included ridge vents and flashing details to ensure maximum efficiency and water resistance.
The final result is a sleek, high-quality roof built for longevity. This project not only enhanced the home’s structural integrity but also boosted its visual appeal. With expert craftsmanship and top-tier materials, this roof replacement in Tacoma guarantees lasting protection and value.

Mantels don't have to be hand carved out of limestone although as you can tell by now, we have a weak spot for limestone. For example this gorgeous mantel is hand carved from Belgian Blue stone Basalt making it very unique. We also custom make marble ones.

Moss as a lawn alternative, creates a soft texture ground cover in this garden where shade prevented grass from growing. Austin Ganim Landscape Design, LLC

This Tacoma home underwent a complete roof transformation, ensuring long-term durability and improved curb appeal. The project began with a thorough inspection, revealing aging shingles, water damage, and areas of structural weakness. The roof was in dire need of a full replacement.
We started with a meticulous removal of the old shingles and underlying materials, exposing damaged decking that required reinforcement. After replacing compromised plywood sections, we installed a high-performance underlayment to provide superior weather protection and prevent moisture infiltration.
Next, we carefully placed new, impact-resistant shingles designed to withstand the Pacific Northwest’s unpredictable weather. The skylight was resealed to ensure no future leaks, and improved ventilation was added to enhance airflow and extend the roof’s lifespan. The finishing touches included ridge vents and flashing details to ensure maximum efficiency and water resistance.
The final result is a sleek, high-quality roof built for longevity. This project not only enhanced the home’s structural integrity but also boosted its visual appeal. With expert craftsmanship and top-tier materials, this roof replacement in Tacoma guarantees lasting protection and value.

Are you looking for the perfect late spring and early summer wispy, white, fragrant flowering tree? If so, the fringe tree is what you are looking for! Not only do these trees create a beautiful addition to any yard, they can also make it look like it snowed when their petals fall. These trees don’t grow as tall as some other flowering trees, making them perfect for planting close to your patio, in small yards, under power lines, or as a shrub border. Our team at Five Star Tree Services has come up with some tips on how to care for these delightful trees and the different varieties they come in.
Fringe Tree Appearance
The average height of a fringe tree is about 10-20 feet tall. This makes it easy for it to fit into any garden nicely. The most prominent thing about this beautiful tree is its white fragrant flowers which bloom in May and early June. These flowers are grouped together in thin, fleecy hanging bands that are 6-8 inches long. These flowers appear all over the tree just before all the leaves start to sprout. After the flowers have fallen, you can enjoy the oval-shaped, dark green leaves for the summer and then the delightful yellow leaves during the fall.
The female trees can produce a blackish-blue fruit after the flowers fall, this is a great way to attract your local birds.
The bark on the tree is scaly and has red furrows with dark brown ridges. It does best in full sun with well drained but moist soil. It can also tolerate drought and is good with air pollution. With its strong branches but delicate flowers, in order to maximize your enjoyment of the flowers, make sure to plant this tree somewhere that is sheltered from the wind.
The Facts
Fringe trees are actually related to the olive family and are native to easters North America. They naturally grow on streambanks and hillsides in moist woods. Due to the tassel-like flowers, another name for this tree is Old Man’s Beard.
As a remedy for gallbladder inflammation, previously, the bark from the fringe tree has been used in herbal medicine. It has also historically been used as a way to treat wounds.
Varieties of Popular Fringe Trees
There are 2 popular fringe trees:
Chionanthus Retusus- this is a Chinese fringe tree. It is tall with lush branches and beautiful leaves. Other varieties under this are:
-Pizazz
-Carolina Moonlight
-Rubrum
-Emerald Snow
-Burgundy
-Snowdance
Chionanthus Virginicus- this is the native easters North American fringe tree we have been focusing on.
Care Instructions
Luckily, these trees are easy to care for. To have a happy tree and many blooms, follow these tree care tips.
Growth Zones- 3-9
Plant- in moist soil that has good drainage.
Height- 12-20 feet when mature. The growth rate is about 6-10 inches a year.
Sun Exposure- full sun
Flowers- May to early June. The blossoms usually last about 2 weeks.
Prune- Do not prune during dormant times. Once the tree is older, it won’t require much pruning. Simply cut out damaged, weak, or dead branches.
Deer Resistance- deer rarely damage these trees.
Threats
With this easy to care for tree, you don’t have to worry about much. However, there are a few pests to look out for.
In order to fight off pests like spider mites and scales, proper planting, watering, and fertilizing will keep it healthy and pest free.
If a tree gets stressed, borers will take this opportunity to tunnel inside the tree and eat the bark. To keep these trees safe, avoid injuring them. These trees can also act as a secondary host for the emerald ash borer. Avoid planting a fringe tree in known areas where these invasive insects like to live.
How Five Star Tree Services Can Help
If you have been looking for the perfect flowering tree to plant in your yard, the fringe tree might be the best one for you! If you have any questions about what trees are best for your property, make sure to give us a call at (416) 990-3355! Here at Five Star Tree Services, we can offer different options and also offer you our Richmond Hill Tree Planting Services!

Removed large fireplace from roof to basement to open up kitchen to expansive view and allow in much more natural light. Structurally supported weak ceiling above stairwell and room off of stair well with new beams and posts. Tore out all kitchen area walls and framing. Constructed half wall to extend out into living space giving kitchen more space and to create a raised bar top counter. Added new range hood and induction cook top and range. New Evoke flooring, Semi-custom natural cherry cabinets, Pental quartz counter tops and bar. New semi-flush light fixtures and pendants + recessed. Painted all walls and cleaned and oiled wood panels on stairwell.

Beautiful basement remodel on the east side of Providence. Water mitigation was what sparked this dream. weak spots in the exterior foundation were sealed. Then we began by "facing" the exposed foundation with a sealant and concrete. A waterproof membrane was installed and capped with tongue in groove OSB, then finally finished with a water resistant laminate floor. Walls were framed to separate living area from storage. Sliding barn style doors add a nice finish while being very functional, allowing airflow and heat into the space. Now the teenagers of the house have a perfect hangout!

This condo is in an industrial redevelopment district in Jersey City, right across from Manhattan. Before, the dated wooden cabinets and black granite was not in synch with the modern loft look. Ceilings were low (7'2"), light was weak. The peninsula/breakfast bar under stairs was awkward, and the laundry jut out, making the entrance too narrow and claustrophobic. First, we raised the ceiling 7 inches, and straightened the sight lines, widening the entry to the condo. We then put down white hardwood floors, white acrylic cabinets from IKEA, Caesarstone quartz counters, and Bosch appliances. The laundry was brought into the kitchen. We also added a second 1 foot wide 9 foot long counter space with cabinets underneath, making this a galley kitchen. We used stainless legs and uppers to make the 2nd row of cabinets, which kept the kitchen from feeling narrow. We extended the kitchen into the living room, extending it 5 ft longer, and making it open concept and functional. The floating staircase was covered to keep it sanitary. Finally, we used a large format tile as backsplash, making clean up a breeze and put in LED undercabinet lights. The most expensive part of the project was raising the ceiling and straightening the entrance, which cost about $10,000. We splurged on Bosch 800 appliances, top of the line flooring (Mohawk Architexture), countertop (Caesarstone), tile (Porcelanosa), and doors (Ringhult IKEA) but managed to stay under $20,000 otherwise. The kitchen was part of a full renovation designed by the owner, and undertaken by Nazco Interiors.

“Remodel for the Neighbors” Judkins Park
Project featured on “Renovation Nation” television show
Description
House lift and wholesale remodel of a structure that everyone called a teardown. This is one of four homes built in 1908, in an area where townhomes are on the march, and cottages on the way out.
Challenge
Everything in the house was ruined. On the outside the asbestos siding was crumbling, and the back addition was turning into a nurse log. There were rickety wooden stairs to get down to the back yard, disconnecting the main living space from the yard. Inside the kitchen floor was extremely weak and rainwater was sheeting down one wall.
Inspiration
We loved the history of the house and wanted to preserve the fabric of the neighborhood. There was great proportion to house. It had great structural bones with a box ceiling and beautiful inlaid floor. This was a move that you make from the heart, and it drove our decisions.
Solution + Innovation
We honored the spirit of the historic house, but added modern elements that fit the character, kept the relationship to the street, and the integrity to the other houses in the row. We lifted the house and built a full-height ICF insulated concrete form basement, then set it back down. We built an addition to achieve an interior staircase to connect the upstairs living space with the back yard which only added 8.5 feet in length to the house. We also created a hydronic heating system in the wood floor, making this a low load hydronic house.
How is it sustainable?
We didn’t tear down the house and instead made the best of what we had to work with. We recycled wood and used forest salvaged wood for the cabinets. We repurposed a laboratory sink as a bath tub, and made stairs out of Garfield High School bleachers that we salvaged from another project.
The overall energy usage is exceptional. We skinned the outside with insulation before the new siding went back on. We added solar, best in class windows, and LED lighting throughout. The entire 2200 square foot house uses one 50-gallon water tank, and the house is heated with this one tank.
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