Month: May 2021

When Do Roofs Need To Be Replaced?

Homeowners often forget to think about a roof’s needs until it’s too late and there is a serious issue. However, proper care and maintenance can help ensure your roof stays strong for years to come. Are you thinking about getting a replacement done soon? 

When Should My Roof Be Replaced?

Determining when a well-cared-for roof needs to be replaced will depend on the roofing material. Here is the general timetable for each type of roof:

  • Asphalt shingles – 15-30 years
  • Metal roofs – 25 – 35 years
  • Copper roofs – 30 – 50 years
  • Slate roofs – 50 – 100 years
  • Cedar roofs – 18 – 25 years

Getting yearly professional inspections, fixing any issues as soon as possible, and getting any required maintenance done when it’s recommended will all help you extend the life of your home’s roof.

Signs Your Roof Needs Replacement

It may be time for a replacement if any of these are the case for your home’s roof:

  • You have a leaky roof – Check the inside of your home, specifically the attic, for signs of leaking. Any leak, especially one that went untreated, will likely require a total roof replacement.
  • Shingle problems – If you notice there are missing, curled, or cracked shingles, a repair is needed as soon as possible. If problems with shingles and granules are progressively falling off, a replacement will be required soon.
  • Rot – A noticeably drooping or sagging roof will need to be replaced right away to prevent a collapse and further home damage.
  • Your roof is turning green – Green patches on your roof aren’t a good sign. This means that moss, mold, or fungi have started growing because of trapped moisture, which can ruin your roof.
  • It’s been a long time – Check your paperwork and see when it was that your roof was last replaced. If it’s past the average time that your roofing material lasts, it’s time to contact your local roofers for a replacement.

ROOF REPAIR AND INSTALLATION IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT

If you’re looking to have your roof fixed or redone or your gutters replaced or cleaned, we’ve got you covered! The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help ensure your home’s roofing and gutter systems both look great and are functioning properly for years to come! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.

Tips To Prevent Carpenter Ants

Have you noticed any large black or reddish ants wandering through your home’s interior or exterior? You may want to get a close look at those ants because if it is indeed a carpenter ant, you’ll need to ensure they don’t cause your house any severe damage. 

Carpenter ants are wood-destroying insects that love to make their nests in the wooden parts of your home, such as decking, cabinets, siding, fencing, and more. Actively preventing these ants from hurting your home should be on the list of to-dos for any homeowner. 

Why Carpenter Ants Are A Serious Problem

Many homeowners shrug off seeing one or two carpenter ants crawling around, which is a mistake. Just because you only see a couple of these little ants doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty more eating out at the wooden areas of your home. 

Carpenter ants don’t eat through wood the same way that termites do, but they still can leave you with a lot of damage. These ants create tunnels throughout the wood to create comfortable nests. When this happens, support beams can break, floors can dip, walls can bulge, and much more severe destruction can ensue.  

What You Can Do To Prevent Carpenter Ants

Before these carpenter ants start infesting your home, it’s ideal to take preventive measures to ensure they never find their way to your house in the first place. Here are some ideas to help you prevent a carpenter ant infestation:

  • Relocate wood items – If you have any firewood, construction materials, or any other wood products, consider storing them outside of your house at least 20 feet away, and if possible, elevate them off the ground. 
  • Cut back branches – Keep branches and brushes cut short and away from your home, so shade is reduced. The sun can dry up any exterior moisture and prevent rot, which attracts carpenter ants. 
  • Keep your gutters clean – Obstructed gutters with any breaks throughout the system create puddles and moisture outside your home, which create rot.
  • Fix any issues – If there are any water issues near your home or any rot, have them fixed as soon as possible. 
  • Get an inspection – Have a professional inspect your home for any issues or signs of carpenter ants frequently to ensure your house is safe and protected.

ROOF REPAIR AND INSTALLATION IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT

If you’re looking to have your roof fixed or redone or your gutters replaced or cleaned, we’ve got you covered! The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help ensure your home’s roofing and gutter systems both look great and are functioning properly for years to come! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.

How to Start Composting at Home

If you’re looking to reduce your food waste at home and live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle, composting is for you! Easily done at home, composting helps give items you would typically throw out in the garbage a new life.  

What is Composting?

Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter and turning it into a beneficial fertilizer to help enrich your soil and help plants grow. The composting process involves putting items such as food scraps, paper waste, and yard waste into a bin or pile where worms and microorganisms can break down the scraps and turn them into nutrients. 

How Can I Start Composting at Home?

Are you ready to start composting? Here’s how to get started:

  • Select your food scraps and be ready to store them – Think about what foods you eat and cook with and what scraps you’ll have available. When composting, you’ll learn that there is a decomposition time frame that requires you to layer your scraps over time rather than throw it all together at once. So, gather some containers and make space in your fridge and freezer to store these scraps.
  • Choose the right location for your compost – Depending on your space available, you’ll want to decide if a compost bin or pile is right for you. Luckily, both options work great! Determine which part of your home or backyard you’d like to keep your compost.
  • Make your mix – Start making your compost mix with both green and brown organic material. The green would be considered food scraps, while the brown would be paper or yard waste. Ideally, you want to layer the browns on the bottom with the greens on top.
  • Wait and aerate – The decomposition time varies based on the temperature. If it’s hot, it can be as short as two months. Another crucial part of composting is allowing air to flow throughout, so turning your compost every seven to ten days will bring you success.

What Items Can and Can’t be Composted?

There are plenty of different items from your home that can be composted that you would normally throw away. This includes: 

  • Vegetable scraps
  • Fruit scraps
  • Cooked food without oil, dairy, or meat
  • Coffee grounds
  • Teabags
  • Eggshells
  • Grass clippings
  • Flowers
  • Tree leaves
  • Wood shavings or sawdust
  • Black and white newspaper clippings
  • Printed paper

Be sure not to add these items to your compost:

  • Oils and butter
  • Dairy
  • Meat and fish
  • Bones
  • Diseased yard waste

ROOF REPAIR AND INSTALLATION IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT

If you’re looking to have your roof fixed or redone or your gutters replaced or cleaned, we’ve got you covered! The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help ensure your home’s roofing and gutter systems both look great and are functioning properly for years to come! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.

5 Most Commonly Asked Roofing Questions

Roofs are easy to forget about when caring for your home, but they have an important job and can get damaged easily! Doing your research to understand the maintenance needed for your roof and what to do if there are any issues can be very beneficial. Take a look at these most frequently asked questions about roofing.

How can I tell if my roof needs to be replaced?

Typically, roofs, especially asphalt roofs, should be replaced at least every 25 years. By this time, shingles can curl or fall off, mold can grow, and leaks and cracks can develop, leading to more costly damage to your home. If you notice any of these signs, it may be time to speak with a local roofing contractor about repairs or a complete roof replacement.  

If there’s a leak in my roof, do I need a whole new roof?

It depends on what has caused the leak. Older roofs that are leaking because of severe wear and tear and damage will need to be replaced soon. If the leak is due to an issue with the chimney, or a missing or damaged shingle, repairs can be done. Your roofing contractor can help determine the severity of the leak and damage and recommend the best course of action.

What is the best type of roof?

Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to this question. The best roof for your home is the one that suits your needs, budget, and house the best. Every roofing type such as asphalt shingles, metal, tiles, cedar, slate, and more all have their positives and negatives. When considering which roof type to install for your home, be sure to think about the budget you have available, beauty and curb appeal, durability, weather resistance, longevity.

Why are the shingles discolored?

If you notice your shingles are changing color, there is likely algae, fungus, or mold growing. This growth occurs when the weather is very humid. It’s essential to have a roofing contractor come and clean the issue and determine if more serious damage is a problem that will persist the algae, mold, or fungus growth.

How long do roofs last?

On average, asphalt roofs last up to 30 years, metal roofs last up to 70 years, and cedar roofs can last up to 50 years. With any roof, proper maintenance and routine inspections can help extend the lifespan of your span. When it does come time to get a roof replacement, being proactive is key to ensuring a quick, easy, and successful new installation.

Call us for an inspection today

If you’re looking to have your roof fixed or redone or your gutters replaced or cleaned, we’ve got you covered! The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help ensure your home’s roofing, and gutter systems both look great and are functioning properly for years to come! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 to learn more.