LANDMARK EXTERIORS

Did you know that according to real estate experts and various studies, the best time to sell a home is late spring?

If you’re looking to put your home on the market, here are some home updates that may boost your selling price!

1.Kitchen Renovations

For many years, kitchen renovation projects have served as a cornerstone of residential real estate improvement efforts. While kitchen designs and trends may change over time, having updated appliances, proper lighting, smart storage and enough counter space can always entice a buyer.

2. Bathroom Upgrades

Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint or a full bathroom reno, a nice looking bathroom can do wonders for your home. It’s also important to consider updating a bathroom to be user-friendly for all ages — a separate walk-in shower can help those in wheelchairs or elderly home buyers, for example.

3. Landscaping Improvements

Do your grounds appear eye-catching? Creating a park-like landscape can cause a serious boost in curb appeal. In-ground solar-powered lighting for walkways, trimmed shrubs, and a newly painted door can be quick improvements that really pack a punch.

4. Roof And Gutter Renovations

Repairing your roof and gutter system not only adds to the beauty of a home but the functionality as well. Installing attractive exterior siding in conjunction with new roofs and gutters can also add to your home’s curb appeal and resale value.

Contact the professionals at Landmark Exteriors!

When it comes to roofing, gutters, and siding, we know our stuff. We’d be happy to help you update your home before putting it on the market. Contact us at (203)838-3838 to discuss your options!

When you say “spring chores,” it’s likely that you think about all of the tasks you need to do inside your home. However, the exterior of your home needs a little TLC, too!

These following three tasks count as some of the most important ones you can do to maintain your home and it’s value. They’re practical and add to your home’s curbside appeal to boot!

1. Fix the Roof

Did your roof spring a leak over the winter? Did some shingles come undone? Is your roof, in general, starting to look a bit saggy? Then, once the spring thaw hits, it’s time to fix the roof!

As USA Today points out, leaks and other roof problems lead to even bigger problems (like mold or pests) and if left unchecked, will destroy your home and knock down its value.

2. Clean the Gutters

Each season, your gutters can easily collect twigs, leaves, and other debris, which can lead to drainage issues when it rains. If water has nowhere to go, it will fall down the side of your home. Any leftover or standing water can cause some serious mold and pest problems as well!

3. Take Care of the Siding

The siding on your home can take a serious beating during the winter months. From salt and sand to mud and other organic matter, you’ll want to get rid of the gunk. Depending on your siding, a hose or power washer can help tidy things up!

Need help with any of the above? Our Home Care division provides an extensive list of services to keep your home in tip-top shape. From roof inspections to siding repairs, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today!

From a missing chimney cap to flashing problems, chimney leaks are a common issue homeowners deal with — and certainly not one to be ignored. Be sure to give your local roofing company  — like our team here at Landmark Exteriors — a call at the first sign of a leak.

Here are some of the reasons why a chimney can leak in the first place!

Reason 1: Missing Mortar Between the Bricks or Stone

If you have a beautiful brick or stone chimney, then these items will have hardened mortar between the items. However, this mortar will degrade eventually due to freezing or expansion along with other problems caused by natural wear and tear. If the mortar is missing, when it rains or snow moisture will enter the interior of the chimney, running down into your home and causing additional damage.

Reason 2: A Damaged or Missing Chimney Cap

Today, many homeowners have a chimney cap to reduce moisture damage along with preventing birds, insects and animals from entering the chimney’s shaft. However, sometimes, a chimney cap was not installed when the chimney was originally built. Without this, your fireplace and flue are exposed to the elements!

Reason 3: Flashing Problems

If flashing wasn’t installed correctly, it can lead to serious structural damage — especially during the winter months or during rainstorms. Moisture can enter through the flashing, into the roof and attic, causing rot and damage. These leaks may not be as evident right away! Inspect your attic and look for signs of trouble, it’s possible your flashing may need to be resealed or replaced.

Call Us Today When You Notice a Chimney Leak

At Landmarks Exteriors, our professionals are here for all your roofing needs! Large or small, we take care of everything from routine maintenance items like gutter cleaning to emergency roof inspection and repairs. If you suspect a chimney leak, contact us today to schedule a roof inspection: 203-838-3838.

Now that you’ve found your forever home, next up is the home inspection. 

Home inspections are an important part of the home buying process — they help home buyers understand the true condition of the home and can identify if major repairs are needed. 

Here are some things to watch out for!

Siding Problems

An inspector will look at your home’s siding to ensure there are no issues with it. Over time, if the siding was not installed correctly, moisture can get behind the siding and cause damage. Moisture that is trapped in the walls can cause mold as well as damage to the wall, so it will be imperative to get this taken care of.

Roofing Issues

Over time roofing materials age, and if it’s installed poorly from the start, it can age prematurely. As this happens, it may lend itself to water leaks and other issues — which can result in expensive repairs or full replacements. It’s also not uncommon to see missing or poorly installed flashing in certain areas. 

Poor Electrical Wiring 

Faulty wiring has been a common cause of house fires, so any issues will require immediate attention. In older homes in particular, sometimes the home is not wired well and the previous home owner relied on extension cords (which can place a burden on the whole electrical system). Other times, wires are exposed and suffer from physical damage. Any electrical issues should not be ignored.

If any of these issues are found in your home, you will want to get them repaired as soon as possible. Luckily, where your siding, gutter, or roofing needs are concerned, Landmark Exteriors is just a call away! 

Contact us today at 203.838.3838 or fill out our online form here»

Although spring is a month away, the winter weather doesn’t seem to be leaving us just yet — how’s your home holding up? 

According to Houselogic, if a house isn’t properly maintained it could lose 10 percent of its appraised value! Translation: tens of thousands of dollars out the window. 

Make sure your home is in tip-top shape with this mid-winter home maintenance checklist:

• Check your plumbing for leaks or damage — and get them repaired!
• Wrap and insulate any exposed piping to prevent damage due to frozen or burst pipes.
• Ensure your electrical outlets are not overloaded.
• Prevent air leaks/heat loss by sealing windows and doors.
• Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
• Flush your hot water heater to remove sediment build-up — doing so helps improve efficiency!
• Make sure your attic is properly ventilated — especially important for preventing ice dams and mold!
• Change out your air filter in your HVAC and clean dryer filters to extend your unit’s life expectancy (and also prevent fires).
• Make sure gutters and downspouts are free of debris and not damaged from prior storms.
• Inspect roofing for leaks, damage, etc. and repair as needed.

In the event your roof or gutters fall damage to a leak, ice dam, or another problem, just know the professionals at Landmark Exteriors are just a call away. We’re here to help ensure your home not only makes it through the winter season but doesn’t lose its value in the process!

Contact us today at 203.838.3838 or fill out our online form here»

Your home is always there for you, shelters you, provides you with warmth and security.

So with love in the air, why not give your home a little TLC this season?

1. Consider an upgrade.

Whether it’s that new kitchen you’ve always wanted or a more structural need — like a hand-nailed cedar roof — show your home some love with an upgrade! Improving different areas of your home can not only improve resale value but can also make rooms much more energy efficient, saving you money on your monthly utility bills.

2. Enhance your curb appeal.

Speaking of improving resale value, consider giving the outside of your home a facelift. First impressions are key — the better your home looks from the outside, the more people will want to see the inside! Repaint your front door, replace old hardware (light fixtures, mailbox, etc.), install outdoor lighting, replace gutters and downspouts, build a walkway — the list goes on!

3. Improve lighting.

Winter weather can make your home feel a tad dreary. If that’s the case, spread some sunshine throughout your living space with smart light management — but what does that entail? Simple: keep your curtains open to let as much natural light in as possible, or opt to use some creative mirror placement to help reflect light toward dim areas in your home.

4. Don’t forget the essentials.

Sure, the fun stuff is well, fun, it’s also important to remember to check on check any pertinent detail in your home, such as thermostat and air filters, to name a few. Just like your car needs ongoing maintenance, so does your home! By ensuring your HVAC system is up to par, all leaks are fixed, your smoke detectors have fresh batteries, and there’s no debris in your gutters, you can count on a healthy and happy home.

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From roof repair to gutter installation, we’re just a call away! We welcome the opportunity to talk with you about your vision for your home and how our experience can benefit your project. Contact us today!

If you happen to live in a cold, snowy climate, you know that if you don’t eventually remove the snow from your roof, you might not see the shingles until spring. You’re probably also aware that the snow on your roof can get very heavy over time, causing strain to your roof’s structural integrity if it’s not cleared. But how do you know when it’s time to clear your roof? Let us explain:

Inch by Inch

Indeed, there’s no magic number for clearing the snow off your roof — but if it helps to have a ballpark figure, experts recommend clearing off the snow at a height of approximately 18 inches. This is especially true for homes with a low-pitched roof.

As a rule of thumb, roofs that are steep and pitched tend to hold snow less than roofs that are flat.

Weighing the Factors

Weight is a factor in determining a roof’s snow capacity, too. Light, fluffy, dry snow weighs considerably less than wet, heavy snow. In terms of weight, six inches of wet snow equates to a yard of dry snow.

While factors like your roof’s age and building materials affect its ability to support extra weight, most roofs can hold up to 20 pounds of snow per square foot. For an approximation, 10 inches of snow equals about five pounds of snow. So a new, sturdy roof can hold roughly four feet of snow!

Safety First

There are several hazards associated with removing snow from your roof. The first is your own safety. Climbing up on your roof is hazardous by nature — add in a steep slope plus slippery snow or ice, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Accidents and mishaps from rooftop snow removal are so common that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warns that quite often, attempting to remove snow from a roof causes more harm than good.

What Lies Beneath?

In addition to just posing a slip-and-fall risk, your roof can be dangerous if there is underlying structural damage that you can’t see. Before going out to the roof to clear it off, you can check inside for signs of damage. Go up to the attic and check to see if the rafters are bent or swayed. If you notice any leaks, there may be a crack in the roof, and it will be unsafe to climb up.

Finally, everyone worries about how much snow their roof can sustain after a storm. If the roof is in good condition, it can hold a surprisingly high volume of snow. Remember that wet, heavy snow weighs much more than lighter snow. Therefore, you should clear off accumulating wet snow to prevent roof damage. When in doubt, always call a roofing company to help out!

Are you looking for a helping hand to safely remove that snow? The professionals at Landmark Exteriors are just a call away! Contact us at 203-838-3838 and we can help take care of the problem with ease!

For over a decade, Landmark Exteriors has served people in many communities and suburbs by providing professional roofing services.

As dedicated, seasoned roofers, we built a solid reputation in a practical way using top-of-the-line supplies and tactical roof maintenance and repair techniques. We’ve also made an impact by avoiding the most common mistakes that affect general roofing companies.

Inconsistencies

Inconsistencies are major problems that can make an average home’s roof unappealing. Because we care about customer satisfaction, we always take strategic steps to avoid inconsistencies during all roofing jobs.

For example, if we begin a project with a particular type of roofing material, our contractors will finish the job using the same supplies. To avoid inconsistencies, we never swap out our main products with materials that have similar design elements as they won’t properly match the entire color scheme on a roof.

Legal Problems

In most communities, there are laws that impact residential and commercial roofing projects. When we work with our customers, we help them understand these laws during the preparation phase. If a property owner needs a permit in order to begin a roofing project, we’ll share information about the laws and requirements.

Local laws are also designed for contractors who tackle roofing projects. Since we’re seasoned roofers, we monitor local laws regularly in order to stay up to date. If there are any changes, we’ll make proper adjustment so that we can properly serve our customers.

Cutting Corners

All of our contractors take tactical steps to complete every job in a professional manner according to the laws in different communities. Throughout each project, we never cut corners to complete objectives faster.

If we run out of roofing materials, we won’t buy generic supplies in order to finish a project quickly and inefficiently. Instead, we’ll implement proper procedures to acquire professional-grade materials to complete the job effectively and efficiently!

Are you looking for the best roofers in the business? If so, the professionals at Landmark Exteriors are just a call away! Contact us at 203-838-3838 to discuss how we can help transform your roof with expert quality and care.

Whether you’re in Fairfield or Westchester counties (or Long Island), you’re no stranger to frigid winter storms — and the problems they can create for homeowners.

We tend to receive many questions from residents concerned about protecting their property from weather-related damage. So we’re here to help!

If you have not already done so, consider taking the below six steps to help prepare your home for freezing temperatures:

1. Caulk, Weather-Strip, And Insulate

You’ll stay warmer and prevent drafts by caulking around window and door frames and by installing weather strips beneath exterior doors. Also insulate walls and attics well. Taking these measures helps conserve heat. Make sure you insulate the attic floor well to prevent warm air from leaving the home rapidly and rising up to the roof (where it might promote the development of ice dams).

2. Maintain Effective Attic Ventilation

Keeping the attic in a well-ventilated condition also helps prevent dangerous rooftop ice dams. An experienced professional can assist you in installing an attic ventilation system.

3. Repair Roof Leaks Promptly

By maintaining your roof in a leak-free condition, you’ll help shelter your household against inclement weather. Leaky roofs allow moisture to enter the residence.

4. Keep Fireplace Flues Closed When Not in Use

When you don’t have a fire burning in the fireplace, consider closing the flue. This channel, designed to allow the release of smoke, enables cold air to enter the premises from outdoors through an empty fireplace.

5. Protect Exposed Basement And Crawl Space Water Pipes

Wrapping cloth and masking tape around poorly insulated basement and crawl space water pipes also helps prevent freeze damage.

6. Leave Indoor Faucets Dripping

If you reside in your home during the winter, consider leaving a small flow of water trickling through interior faucets. This action may help reduce problems associated with frozen pipes. Since water expands when frozen, the pipe may eventually sustain damage, and cause leakage problems in the future.

Taking these helpful cold-weather maintenance steps might even assist you in lowering high winter utility bills!

And remember, the professionals at Landmark Exteriors are just a call away! Contact us at 203-838-3838 about any cold weather roofing concerns.

Attic ventilation is a common problem in many homes. Unfortunately there are a number of misconceptions surrounding this topic, which can lead to higher heating bills as well as ice dams or mold for homeowners — yikes!

That said, here are the most common myths, debunked:

1. The more ventilation, the better!

Similarly to choosing the right air conditioning unit, the key with effective attic ventilation is balance — not size. Some people might think that they can’t go wrong with more ventilation. But bigger isn’t better!

Insufficient ventilation can lead to decreased energy efficiency and moisture problems. That’s why you’ll want to talk to a professional to ensure your home has the right amount.

2. Ventilation causes heat loss.

Heat does rise, but if you are losing heat through your attic, it is because of insufficient insulation and not a vent problem. Warm, damp air can further damage insulation that is already inadequate and may eventually lead to rot.

However, heat from the furnace should not reach the attic if it is properly insulated and ventilated.

3. All roof vents are the same.

It is not enough to simply have any type of roof vent, and certain types of roof vents can cause problems. For example, too little air may be circulated by gable vents. A contractor can identify the most effective type of vent for your attic.

4. I read research online, so it must be true.

While you can read plenty of research online about what kind of roof ventilation system is most effective in laboratory conditions, it all gets more complicated in real-world settings. Your local contractor, who is familiar with the weather systems, building materials and other challenges in your area, is more likely to know what solutions will work best in your situation! Trust us, this isn’t something you want to DIY.

Attic ventilation is important for regulating temperature and moisture, but attic ventilation that is poorly done can be just as harmful as no ventilation at all!

That said, make sure to give the professionals at Landmark Exteriors a call. We’ll be able to help with your ventilation needs and any roofing problems you may have!