LANDMARK EXTERIORS

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.

Who doesn’t love a relaxing or fun dip in the pool on a hot summer day? Having a swimming pool may require a good amount of maintenance, but the good times are well worth it. Be sure the enjoyment never has to stop from a dirty, unkept pool with these inground pool cleaning tips: 

Skimming and Brushing

Skimming your pool consists of cleaning all the debris and built-up algae off the top of your pool. To do this, you first want to make sure that you have a telescopic pole with a net attachment. Use the net to scoop out any leaves or debris you notice on the surface. Skim the surface daily to ensure there is no contamination. Make sure you have a brush attachment for your pole to clean the pool’s ladder, steps, and sides at least once every week. Both of these attachments should be regularly rinsed off and cleaned after use.

Vacuuming

The purpose of a pool vacuum is to clean the pool’s floor of any debris that made its way to the bottom. You can use either an automatic or manual vacuum. Manual vacuums are cheaper, but automatic cleaners will save you time since you don’t have to operate them yourself. Like at the surface, a lot of bacteria and debris build up on the bottom, so make sure the pool is vacuumed weekly.

Managing the Chemicals

There are various chemicals in your pool that make it safe and clean for you to swim in. Ensure it stays that way by checking the pool’s pH levels with a tester at least 2 or 3 times a week since weather and contaminants can alter it. The pH levels should be between 7.2 and 7.8 for safe use. Make sure to properly chlorinate your pool to kill any germs and bacteria with items such as sanitizing chlorine tablets or pool shock.

Check The Filter

The filter works to remove debris from your pool as well, so regularly check and empty it to make sure it stays functioning properly.

Exterior Home Care in Norwalk

If you have any further questions or need help maintaining your property, give the experts at Landmark Exteriors a call at (203) 838-3838.

Your home’s roof not only serves a critical purpose but also plays a significant role in your home’s overall aesthetic and appearance. Ensure your home’s exterior is complete by picking the right shingle color for your roof to match the rest of your home!

What to Consider When Choosing Your Roof Color

• Where you live – In northern climates, natural sunlight has a slightly bluish hue, making gray and blue colors a safe option for your home exterior.
• Temperature – Dark colors absorb heat while light colors reflect it.
• Look at your neighbors – Looking at the roof colors of your neighbors can help you see what you like. Still, you may want to also consider how your home harmonizes with the surrounding environment, especially if you plan to sell soon.
• Look at the other exterior elements of your home – Let all the different aspects of your home’s exterior guide you in your decision process. Make sure the color you pick for your roof will match the other elements.
• Architectural style – Think about the architectural style of your home and make sure your roof color compliments that as well. Is your home more modern or traditional? Does it have a colonial, Spanish, or Mediterranean style of architecture?
• Hide or standout – Do you want your roof to stand out from the other exterior elements, or do you want your roof to blend in more?

Matching Your Roof Color To Your Home

Here’s some guidance on what colors look best together based on the color of your house:

1. Red – Dark brown, dark green, gray or black shingles.
2. Blue – Black, gray, or white shingles.
3. Beige/tan – Dark brown, black, dark red, gray, dark green, or dark blue shingles.
4. Gray – Dark gray, black, dark blue, dark green, or white shingles.
5. Brown – Dark gray, black, or dark blue shingles.
6. Wood – Dark brown, black, or gray shingles.
7. White – Just about any color shingles work!

Roofing in Fairfield County

If you are looking to get your roof redone, let the experts at Landmark Exteriors help you bring your vision to life. Give us a call at (203) 838-3838 for more information.

Are you interested in getting new siding for your home? 

We know that you want the exterior of your home to look attractive and leave a good first impression. However, we know you also want to make sure that you consider, like any other exterior home renovation, factors such as cost, installation, and durability. Siding is one of the critical components to your home’s exterior, and one of the first things you’ll need to decide is whether you want vertical or horizontal siding.

Here’s what you need to know when considering whether to get vertical or horizontal siding for your home:

Vertical Siding

• Aesthetics – If you are looking to add uniqueness to your home, vertical siding is the perfect way to do just that. Vertical siding work to elongate your home and will undoubtedly help it to stand out from your neighbors.
• Installation – Since this siding is more uncommon, the process will likely be longer and more difficult. There are also more steps in the process of installing vertical siding.
• Durability – Vertical siding is very durable and less likely to suffer from water damage than horizontal siding.
• Cost – The price for this type of siding will likely be slightly more expensive than with horizontal siding because it has more steps to the process and is much less common.

Horizontal Siding

• Aesthetics – If you want a more traditional, sleek, clean look for your home’s siding, horizontal is the way to go. Most homes have horizontal siding and will probably never go out of style.
• Installation – Since horizontal siding is just much more common, the installation process will most likely be quicker and easier.
• Durability – Horizontal siding is also very durable, but there is the risk of water seeping underneath the siding strips and causing damage to your home.  If the siding is wood, this also opens up the risk of mildew and mold growth and will lead to a need for routine cleanings.
• Cost – The price for this type of siding is often the cheaper option because it is much more common and quicker to install.

Contact us for an estimate on siding today

If you are looking to get new siding for your home, give the siding contractors at Landmark Exteriors a call at (203) 838-3838 and let us help you achieve your perfect home exterior.

New to pressure washing? We’re here to help! Pressure washers can even be fun to use and give you quick and effective results when cleaning the exterior of your home. Pressure washing enables you to remove dirt, grime, and other stains from your patio, deck, fence, or siding to help your home look good as new! 

Make sure you’re getting the most out of your pressure washing with these helpful tips:

Your Pressure Washer Options

The pump to the pressure washer can be powered by either gasoline or electricity. So is a gas or electric-powered power washer better for you?

• Gas – With a gas-powered pressure washer, you can clean more efficiently and faster than with electric because you there are a wide range of PSI (pounds of pressure per square inch) and GPM (gallons of water per minute) levels to use. Gas pressure washers are also cordless, and you don’t need to be near a power outlet. On the other hand, gas power washers require regular maintenance, need the oil changed periodically, are louder, and produce environmentally-harmful emissions.
• Electric – With an electric-powered pressure washer, there are no harmful emissions, and you won’t have to worry about maintenance and oil changes. However, they are less powerful, and you need to be near a power outlet.

Tips for Pressure Wash Effectively

• Preparation – Clear off any debris on the area you plan to pressure wash before starting. Lay tarps over any plants or furniture near you that you don’t want to get damaged.
• Choose the right nozzle – The nozzle you choose will affect the angle and strength of the spray and depend on what material you are pressure washing.
• Safety first – Always wear eye and hearing protection since pressure washers are very loud, and debris can spray back on to your face. Check that all the connections are secure, and your pressure washer has had proper maintenance.
• Grip tightly – Hold the sprayer with two hands when starting to make sure that it doesn’t fly out of your hands.
• Direction – Move the sprayer in an even, continuous motion up and down or side to side.
• Be careful – Avoid windows as they could break, don’t use too much force on your home’s siding to avoid moisture leaking through, and stay focused on the task to prevent damage or injury.

Exterior Home Maintenance in Connecticut

If you need help maintaining, redoing, or refreshing the exterior of your home, let the experts at Landmark Exteriors help you by calling (203) 838-3838.

A beautiful, healthy, green lawn can be hard to maintain during the summer heat and there can be a load of different factors that are affecting its health and color. Seeing that your lawn is a sickly yellow color can be concerning and seem like a tough fix. But don’t worry! We’re here to help you figure out what is the reason for your yellow lawn and how to correct it.  Which of these could be the most likely cause of your lawn turning yellow?

Dryness

The most common cause of your lawn being yellow is that it is dry and desperate for some water. Excessive heat and sunlight will quickly dry out and damage your lawn if it isn’t getting any hydration. Set up a sprinkler or water it regularly with your hose to bring it back to life! 

Over Fertilizing

Fertilizer helps your lawn be green, healthy and keeps it growing. However, if you over-fertilize, your lawn will have an excess of nitrogen and will turn an unattractive yellow color. Putting mulch over these yellow spots can help draw out the nitrogen and correct the discoloration.

Dog Urine

If you have a family pooch or even multiple, they may be the culprit for your yellow lawn. Similar to fertilizer, dog urine has high levels of nitrogen that can burn out your grass turning it yellow in any spots that your dog urinates repeatedly. Watch where your dog urinates and use mulch to help get rid of yellow spots.

Insects

If you still can’t find the problem, you may need to get up close and look closely at the grass for insects or larvae. These little guys can eat away at the roots of your grass causing the color change. Use a proper insecticide to get rid of any of the insects or larvae eating at your grass.

Disease

Another cause for your yellow lawn could be disease that affects the healthy growth of the grass. These diseases are typically fungal, with the most common being fairy rings or snow mold. Use a proper fungicide to correct the problem.

Expert Exterior Care in Norwalk

If you have any questions or need help making sure your home exterior is in tip-top shape, give Landmark Exteriors a call at (203) 838-3838.

Bird watching is a great way to appreciate nature and all the amazing wildlife in your surroundings. Some of the most beautiful birds can be found in your own Connecticut backyard! Here are some of the most common birds to look out for while enjoying some fresh air at home:

American Goldfinch

These sweet little birds are easy to spot with their bright yellow plumage. Their black heads and tails help the yellow to pop even more. You’ll likely hear them making a very high pitch, short, chirping sounds. Make sure to leave out some birdseed specifically with sunflower seeds in it to keep these birds coming back!

American Robin

The American Robin is the state bird of Connecticut, so of course, you’ll be seeing them around! Their coloring varies but they typically have a gray or black head, red chest, and brown back. Their diet consists of insects, worms, fruits, and berries. Because of their diet, they can stay up north much longer than other birds as they can rely on eating winter berries.

Baltimore Oriole

The Baltimore oriole, with colors of yellow and black that match their cities baseball team, might be far from their original home in Maryland up here in Connecticut, but can actually be found all over North America! Their thick, pointed beaks allow them to eat insects, fruit, nectar, and seeds. Listen for a loud, bold, echoing chirp if you think one might be around.  

Barn Swallow

Barn swallows are the most widespread of the swallow species and can be found all over the world. When it comes time for their breeding season, they often use man-made structures, often barns, to make their nests, hence how they got their name! They have beautiful, deep blue colored wings with sometimes white spots, with an even darker blue tail, and reddish-orange face and chest. Look out for these swallows as they dive down quickly to catch their preferred prey; insects!

Black-Capped Chickadee

These birds are highly characterized by their bold and curious nature. They can often be seen eating directly from people’s hands and are not afraid to get up close and personal. Just like the name, they have a black head and chin, with white by their cheeks and chest, and a dark tail. Black-capped chickadee’s love to eat their favorite caterpillars and other insects, but will resort to eating winter berries so they can stay up north during the cold-weather seasons. To help them survive, they also like to store food in secret hideaways that they can recall for up to 28 days after hiding food there!

Northern Cardinal

The iconic northern cardinal can easily be spotted with their bright red plumage and dark-colored face. These birds love to eat seed and will sometimes even feed each other when seeking a mate. These birds as well love to get loud and have a variety of different sounding chirps depending on what they are trying to tell their fellow northern cardinals.

If you need help fixing up your outdoor space so that you can enjoy being outdoors on your own property, give Landmark Exteriors a call at (203)838-3838 and let us know how we can help you.

Don’t let a rainy day dampen your mood even more than it needs to.  Heavy rain can cause serious damage to your home if you’re not doing what’s necessary. To ensure your home is ready for whatever summer storms we have ahead, here are some things to consider:

Get Your Roof Inspected Regularly

Your roof is what directly protects the inside of your home from the rain. However, a damaged or neglected roof can easily lead to a leak or flood. That’s why it’s important to get a roof inspection done, so you can avoid any costly problems down the road.

Make Sure Your Gutters Are Clean

Gutters work to drain rainwater from the roof away from the house. If they’re clogged, the backed up water can cause damage to the gutters, roof, yard, driveway, and foundation of your home making it very costly to fix. Clean your gutters at least twice a year to keep them functioning properly.

Check The Seals Around Your Doors And Windows

Look at all your doors and windows and see that they seal completely when closed. You can often feel a draft or breeze in poorly sealed areas. If not, make sure to reapply caulk to get the right seal so that no water can enter. If your windows or doors are made from wood, make sure they are properly repainted and stained to prevent rot.

Check Your Property For Low-Lying Areas

Have a professional, or do so yourself, and look for areas all across your property for low-lying areas that can easily become too saturated when it rains and can cause costly damage.  

Install a Sump Pump

Is your basement or crawl space subject to a yearly summer flood? It’s time to invest in a sump pump. Sump pumps are used to drain water out of the inside area where they’re installed to outside of the home and will make those summer floods less of a worry. 

If you need help protecting your home from heavy rain or need any repairs done, call Landmark Exteriors at (203) 838-3838 so we can help!