Month: August 2020

With colder weather and storm season approaching quickly, your roof will be what protects the rest of your house, so you’ll want to make sure it’s in tip-top shape! While roofs can last you decades at a time, damage can cause severe and costly problems for your home at any time.

Here are some signs to look for that will tell you that you need to have your roof looked at by a professional:

Curling or Missing Shingles

One of the telltale signs that your roof is deteriorating is if you notice shingles are starting to curl around the edges or shingles are missing and have fallen off your house. If you notice any patches of black asphalt exposed on the roof, it means that shingles are missing from that spot.

Excessive Granules

Another sign of shingles aging is when granules fall off. One way you can tell if this is happening is by checking the gutters and downspouts for small granules that have ended up there after falling off the shingles.

Missing or Cracked Tiles

If you have a tile roof, cracked or missing tiles are a sign that some renovations are needed. Cracked or missing tiles can lead to leaks and serious damage.

Ceiling Stains or Leaks

If you notice any stains on your ceiling, it could be a sign that a leak has sprung. The stain will likely be yellowish or brownish and should tell you that you need to have your roof looked at quickly.

Sounds of Wind From Inside

Another sign of an unstable roof would be the sound of the wind whistling from inside the house. This could mean shingles or tiles are missing, or there is a hole.

It’s Been a While…

If it has been a long time, more than 2 decades, since you’ve had your roof done, it’s time to get an inspection done. In that time, your roof has taken a lot of hits from weather, debris, and regular wear and tear. 

Roof Inspection in Connecticut

Are you noticing any of these problems? The experts at Landmark Exteriors can ensure that your roof is at its best and help you fix any problems. Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.

Everyone loves seeing a bright green lawn to frame your home! Ensuring your yard gets plenty of water is essential to achieving happy and healthy grass. While it might sound simple, there is a method to how you should water your lawn to ensure it grows properly and as healthily as possible!  

When to Water

Watering in the morning, before 10 a.m. is the perfect time to make sure your lawn gets the hydration it needs. This is the ideal time because the temperature is cooler, winds tend to be calmer, and the water has the best chance of soaking all the way into the soil to reach the roots before it can evaporate. If you aren’t able to water in the morning, try between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., so the water still has time to dry before nightfall. Watering overnight is when your lawn is most likely to develop disease causing serious problems.

In general, grass is very resilient and can survive for weeks without being watered before turning brown! Rain can also help ensure that your lawn is well hydrated, so watering every day is not essential.

How Much Water to Use

For an established lawn, it’s recommended to use enough water so that the top 6 to 8 inches of the soil is wet. Ideally, your entire yard should receive 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week from watering or from rain to soak that deeply. Make sure not to overwater!

How to Tell if Your Lawn Needs to Be Watered

If you notice your grass has lost its vibrant green color and is more dull or even grayish or brown, it’s asking to be watered! Another tip for seeing if your lawn is begging for water is by simply walking across it. If your footprints don’t quickly disappear, then the blades of grass don’t have the moisture they need to spring back up, and it’s time for a good watering.

How to Tell if You’ve Watered Enough

Use some of these techniques to see if your lawn has gotten the water that it needs:

• Check the soil – Use a screwdriver and push it into the soil to test how deep the water has soaked in. Once you’ve determined the water has soaked in about 6 inches, then that’s how long it takes for your lawn to be watered thoroughly.
• Use cans to measure – Believe it or not, empty tuna cans can be very useful in helping you see how much water various spots on your lawn are getting. Spread them across the grass and see how long it takes the cans to fill up.
• Do some math – If you use a sprinkler, doing a simple calculation can give a very accurate estimate of how much time it takes to thoroughly water your yard. Start by multiplying the square footage of your lawn by 0.62 gallons (which equals 1 inch of water per square foot). Next, divide that number by the sprinkler flow rate (which should be available on the packaging or from the manufacturer). This calculation will tell you how many minutes to run your sprinkler! Invest in a water time so that your sprinkler can be preset to water the correct amount all on its own!

Home Exterior Care in Fairfield County

The experts and Landmark Exteriors are here to help your home both look and function it’s best. Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more about how we can help you.

There’s always the potential of another severe storm to do some serious damage. While your house protects you from the elements, make sure there’s no lasting damage by taking the proper preventative measures beforehand. 

Here are 5 ways to protect your home from serious storm damage:

Check Doors and Windows

Ensuring that your doors and windows are properly sealed and locked is a must for any type of bad weather. Any small break or gap in the seal can let wind and water in causing potentially dangerous damage.   

Check Your Home’s Exterior

All the elements of your home’s exterior will be what’s directly bracing the elements, so you’ll want to make sure they’re in proper shape to withstand any severe storm. Check your roof regularly for any loose or missing shingles to prevent leaks or gaps. As well, inspect that your siding doesn’t have any breaks or loose pieces that can be taken off by the wind. Most importantly, check that your gutters and water drainage systems are properly functioning to keep water from building up anywhere.

Check Your Yard

Do you notice any debris, furniture, or items in your yard that could be lifted by strong winds? Make sure all those items are properly secured or removed before the storm arrives. Check your fence and look for any broken or loose pieces that could come off. Keep your trees properly trimmed to prevent branches from flying off and hitting your home or power lines.

Be Prepared

You can never be certain of how a storm will affect your home. Maybe you’ll lose power, or your basement will get flooded? Invest in a sump pump to drain out any built-up water from areas of your home that have started to flood. If you have a generator, check that it is in proper working order and have a safe spot outside for it ready to go. Gather flashlights, water, and other necessary supplies to have at the ready if your home doesn’t have power.

Update Your Insurance Policy

Make sure you know exactly what is insured for your home if there is damage from a storm, so you don’t have to worry later! Be sure you’re covered for all different weather-related damage and be certain your home is well-protected.

Home Exterior Care in Fairfield County

The experts and Landmark Exteriors are here to help your home both look and function it’s best. Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more about how we can help you.

Asphalt roofing is the most common type of roof and with good reason! Year after year, when homeowners are looking to renovate, asphalt shingles are often the top choice because of their full range of appealing benefits.

If you’re trying to decide which roofing type is best for your home, here are some reasons why asphalt shingles would be the best choice:

Affordability

If you’re looking for a very cost-effective roofing option, asphalt is the right choice! Asphalt shingles are very affordable compared to other options and offer great value for your money.

Beauty

With asphalt shingles, there are a wide variety of color choices to match any home’s exterior. There are also various textures and styles, making them very customizable to get the exact look you want for your roof. 

Performance

With this roofing type, you can expect your roof to be of really high quality. Asphalt shingles are durable, long-lasting, rarely leak, and have excellent uplift and fire resistance. 

Easy Installation and Maintenance

Asphalt roofing is the easiest roofing type to install and repair. One of the best benefits as well is that asphalt roofs don’t require much maintenance and won’t be a worry for years to come.

Recyclability

In case you needed yet another reason to choose asphalt shingles for your home’s roof, they can be recycled at the end of their life! A great choice if you’re looking for a more environmentally-friendly option.

Roof Installation in Norwalk, Connecticut

If you’re looking to redo the roof of your home, make sure it’s with a company you can trust and exceed your expectations. The experts at Landmark Exteriors can ensure that you’ll be pleased with the look and effectiveness of your home’s new roof for years. Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.