Month: October 2021

Leaf cleanup on your property is an important job every time fall rolls around, and it can seem like foliage just keeps on piling up. Instead of mindlessly filling up bags with your autumn leaves, turn them into something beneficial or fun!  

The team at Landmark Exteriors has some ideas for what you can do with your fall leaves, besides leaving them in a bag on your curb:

Make Mulch

Leaves are a natural mulch that can help protect your gardens! Add some leaves to the tops of your soil to prevent weed growth, and as an added layer of protection from the cold and snow, so your plants are healthy and happy once spring returns.  

Improve Your Soil

You can also take some shredded leaves and mix them right into your soil. As they decompose, your soil will become more nutrient-rich, leading to more earthworms and other microorganism activities that help your plants grow.  

Get a Compost Pile Started

If you’re not already composting, now is a great time to start! Take your fall leaves and pile them in an open corner of your yard to get your compost started; making a simple structure with wood or chicken wire helps them not to blow away. Keep layering other compostable materials such as grass clippings and kitchen scraps and watch them decompose throughout fall and winter. When spring arrives, you’ll have a great compost mix to add to your garden soil.  

Make a Scarecrow

If you’re looking for a fun fall project with the kids, try making your very own scarecrow! Use old clothes, some dry leaves, and grab a pole to display your new creation to ward off birds in your garden. 

Fall Decorations

Some of your fallen leaves may be more attractive than others, so take advantage of these! You can use leaves with different colors and shapes to make some gorgeous fall-themed decorations for both inside and outside your home. Try adding them into a vase with some fall flowers or lights!

Contact Landmark Exteriors for roofing inspections, repairs, and installations this fall season!

The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help ensure your home’s roofing systems look great and function properly for years to come! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 or visit our website to learn more.

Autumn is here, which means those leaves will fall and make a mess before you know it. With the many lists of things homeowners have to worry about, leaves piling up on your roof may not be one of them, but it’s something important to consider, and here’s why:

Why Do You Need to Remove Leaves From Your Roof?

If you ignore your leaf piles on the roof, the dead foliage will decay and eventually cause moisture to be trapped against any roof shingles. With this trapped moisture, mold and algae are likely to grow, causing serious and costly damage. 

Also, the leaves will eventually make their way into your gutter system, causing clogs and preventing water from being safely drained away from your home. This is especially a concern if you haven’t taken the time to clean out your gutters during the fall season. 

How to Get Rid of Leaves on Your Roof

Unfortunately, the strong winds may not be enough for them to blow off completely to let you avoid any concern. Taking a hands-on approach to removing your roof’s leaves is the best to ensure there are no issues — and here are your best options:

• Roof rake – You can buy a roof rake from your local store that helps you brush off leaves from your roof while safely standing on the ground. A broom attached to an extension pole can also work if you don’t want to purchase a roof rake.
• Blower – If you have a ladder handy and someone to help hold it steady, you can take your leaf blower up and quickly blow all the leaves off your roof. 
• Call a professional – Give your local roofers a call for help cleaning off and inspecting your roof, so you don’t have to worry. 

The tool you use will depend on the pitch of your roof and your comfortability, but calling a professional for help and advice is always your best bet. 

Contact Landmark Exteriors for roofing inspections, repairs, and installations this fall season!

The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help ensure your home’s roofing systems look great and function properly for years to come! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 or visit our website to learn more.

This season is one of the most beautiful and underrated times of the year, and for us living in Fairfield County, CT, and the surrounding areas, we get some of the best fall days of all. If you’re looking to make the most out of autumn, the team at Landmark Exteriors has some ideas for you to enjoy this great season to its fullest in the state we call home:

Apple Picking

If you’re looking to make the perfect apple crisp or pie, stop by one of the many great Connecticut orchards because apples are in season! Take a walk through the gorgeous fields and fill a bag with fresh-picked, delicious apples in various varieties to take home and enjoy.

Pumpkin Picking

There truly is nothing more classic fall than pumpkins! There are farms all over with fresh pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, waiting to find their way into your arms. Whether you’re looking for one to decorate your front yard, carve, or cook with, you’ll have plenty of fun picking out the perfect pumpkins with your friends and family.

Corn Mazes

Farms all over Connecticut turn their cornfields into mazes with complex turns and crazy patterns, so be sure to check one out and get lost! How long will it take you to get out?

Visit a Haunted House

If you’re looking for something more spooky to celebrate Halloween this season, visit one of the many incredible haunted houses around or take a local ghost tour. There’s plenty of frights and scary spots to choose from!

Hiking

‘Tis the leaf-peeping season! Embrace the gorgeous weather and scenery by taking a hike on some of Connecticut’s great trails. Breathe in the fresh, crisp air and experience the beautiful foliage from various heights and areas. Good luck determining which trees have the most colorful leaves along the many trails running through the state.

Contact Landmark Exteriors for roofing inspections, repairs, and installations this fall season!

The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help ensure your home’s roofing systems look great and function properly for years to come! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 or visit our website to learn more.

Grab your pumpkins and get your creativity flowing; it’s time to carve some jack-o’-lanterns! Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pumpkin carver, these tips can help take your skills to the next level. Happy carving!

Gather The Right Tools 

Thankfully, you don’t need to invest in a bunch of fancy tools to carve your jack-o’-lanterns. Depending on how intricate you plan on making your designs, all you need is a sharp blade for cutting and a tool to help you clean out the inside. You can run to your local store and find a convenient carving kit with these two tools to make the job easy.  

Open Your Pumpkin From The Bottom

Cleaning out your pumpkin can be difficult, but you can simplify the job by cutting the pumpkin open from the bottom instead of the top around the stem. When you open it from the bottom, lots of the seeds and strings will easily fall out, making the process much quicker and easier.

Trace Your Design

Once the face of your pumpkin is clean and you’ve picked out your design, use a marker or stencil to trace your template directly on the surface so it’s ready to be carved perfectly!

Be Patient

You may be excited to see your incredible new jack-o’-lantern, but don’t rush the carving process. To help avoid collapse or pieces breaking, don’t pull out the pieces as you go, but rather wait till the end for a final reveal. This will help ensure a perfectly executed design and better stability. 

Don’t Use Real Candles

Though they look great, real candles will cause your pumpkin to go bad quicker and they can be a fire hazard. Instead, choose a battery-operated candle, which will look equally great and is much safer.

Contact Landmark Exteriors for roofing inspections, repairs, and installations this fall season!

The experts at Landmark Exteriors are here to help ensure your home’s roofing systems look great and function properly for years to come! Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 or visit our website to learn more.