Month: November 2017

The approach of winter brings with it the promise of a beautiful Winterland and hours of invigorating snow play; however, as beautiful as the snow is to gaze at and get lost in, it can present various problems for your home if left unattended. In fact, there are various ways that snow can damage your home, including:

Roof Damage

Persistent or heavy snowfall can accumulate several inches of snow on your roof, which can cause your roof to become weighted. In fact, you witness this weight yourself each time you shovel the snow. If left unattended, the weight of the snow can cause your roof to collapse if it is not sturdy enough. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you promptly remove the snow from your roof following each snowfall in order to prevent roof damage.

Structural Damage

As snow melts, it creates a large amount of water, which requires proper drainage in order to remove. Clogged gutters can hinder proper drainage, which can lead to water build-up. When this occurs, it allows water to accumulate on your roof and in your gutters, which can then saturate the ceiling and other structures and cause them to warp, split or crack. It can also seep into slates, tiles, fixtures and other gaps and cause condensation inside your home.

Gutter Damage

Through the seasons your gutters collect their share of debris, which if left unattended can present various issues during the winter. When your gutters are clogged, it prevents melting snow from properly draining, which in turn allows packed snow and water to build up in your gutters and down spouts that can freeze and split or crack your gutters and pipes and lead to costly repairs. Having your gutters cleaned on a regular basis helps prevent water build-up, which can help preserve your home during the winter.

Siding Damage

Siding protects your home from damage, mildew and mold, and helps keeps your home cozy during the colder months. However, if snow gets behind the siding, it can dampen the wood, which can cause bowing in your ceiling, walls and floors. Keeping your gutters properly cleaned and promptly removing snow and ice after each snowfall can help preserve your siding as well as your home.

Professional roofing, gutter and siding service and repair by Landmark Exteriors can help protect your home, so you can enjoy the joy of winter as it was meant to be.

When winter hits, it can be an expensive time of the year when it comes to that energy bill. You can assist your budget by addressing any leaks, gaps, cracks and minor repairs that will drive up your heating bill. Here are a few tips to prep your home for this winter season.

Roof Inspection and Repair

Because most ceilings are not air tight or insulated well enough, heated air will escape into the attic. When the attic is warming up with this air, any leaks or cracks in the roof will allow that hot air to further escape the rooms below. People then crank up their thermostats without realizing it’s because heat is constantly leaving the home through the ceiling. Up to 25% of heat escapes the home through the roof, so when snowfall arrives, this escaping heat can melt the snow as well, allowing moisture to enter the home through the roof. This can cause mildew / mold build up in the attic, causing a whole other headache of problems. Having a trained technician come out and inspect the roof and repair any damages could greatly help out your heating bill in the long run.

Reverse Ceiling Fans

Heat rises, which means the warmest point of a room can be the ceiling. If you have any rooms with ceiling fan, flipping the blades or running the blades in clockwise direction (check your owner manual for seasonal instructions) will assist the hot air to stay in the room longer. This is really beneficial for rooms with high ceilings, the air will begin to circulate instead of staying at the top of the room.

Window Repair

Check your windows for any cool breezes / cold spots you might feel coming in from the outside. Take the precaution and add caulk around all the windows inside and out. One of the better options is to have a trained technician inspect your windows inside and out. Some windows might need more than just caulk that would repair any leaks.

Clear the gutters

Clear out your gutters of debris. All the waste, leaves, rubbish that is in the gutters can cause water to back up against the house and damage the roofing, the siding and trim. This build up can also cause ice dams to build up. Avoid damage to your home by clearing these out.

At Landmark Exteriors, we have a team of trained specialists that are able to assist with any roofing, window, siding, and gutter repairs. Look no further than Landmark Exteriors to help your home get ready for winter! To learn more about our services, check out our website or speak with one of our professionals at 203.838.3838.

You may be safe inside your home when a storm hits, but what about your property? High winds, rain, thunder, and lightening can all take a toll on your home — and even large trees! That’s right, sometimes a storm can be so bad that a tree ends up falling on top of your roof. Here are the necessary steps you should if this ever happens to you.

Safety

We know it hurts to sit back and not do anything, but removing a tree from your property can be really dangereous. Wait for the pros who have the qualifications and experience necessary to get the job done right.

Check Inside

Check inside your home for signs of damage and then call a professional. You may not find anything substantial, but sometimes damage may not be visible, so it’s important to make sure your property is thoroughly checked just in case.

Document Everything

You will want to take pictures all around your home for your insurance claim and your own personal records. Try to snap some shots of every angle — even inside your home and after the tree is removed.

Fix Your Roof

Contact a roofing specialist to repair or replace your roof. Landmark Exteriors Home Care division provides an extensive list of services to keep your home in great shape. Large or small, we take care of everything from routine maintenance items like gutter cleaning to emergency roof repairs. At Landmark Exterior Home Care, we take pride in finding solutions to your problems and helping you sustain the beauty of your home.

If you’re looking for a dedicated, experienced, and dependable roofing contractor, look no further than Landmark Exteriors! To learn more about our services, check out our website or speak with one of our professionals at 203.838.3838.

Autumn can wreak havoc on your home. All of those beautiful leaves, branches, and seeds falling off the trees end up on your roof, clogging your gutter system. Thankfully you can simplify your gutter cleaning by installing gutter guards.

What Are Gutter Guards?

Gutter guards are designed to minimize gutter cleaning. They cover the gutter to keep out debris and allow rainwater and snow to flow freely through and away from your home.

What Are The Five Types Of Gutter Guards?

1. Screen gutter guards are the most common and inexpensive type. However, they don’t filter out smaller items like pine needles.
2. Foam gutter guards are extremely porous foam strips, inserted in the gutter. Water will pass through the foam, but solids will be trapped on the top.
3. Brush gutter guards are similar to foam. They are placed inside the gutter, allowing only water to pass.
4. Micromesh gutter guards have tiny holes in them, which allows them to filter out almost every size of debris. *This should ONLY be installed by an experienced roofing pro*
5. Surface tension gutter guards are curved covers that guide water into the gutters and solids on the floor of your home.

We will work to ensure that the gutter system allows for proper drainage while remaining architecturally appealing. Landmark Exteriors will determine the proper pitching and the correct number of downspouts for your property. Meanwhile, our Landmark Exteriors Home Care division can help to maintain your gutters with regular cleanings. To speak with on one of our professional staff members, give us a call at 203.838.3838.