Metal Roofing, Is It Right For My Home?

Have you ever been curious about getting metal roofing? Initially, the cost is a bit steep per square foot compared to other roofing materials such as shingles, yes, but it pays out in the long run. Let’s take a journey.

copper roofing
Metal roofs are fire resistant, shed off snow and ice, maintain cooler temperature during summer months, are almost always wind resistant (due to interlocking panels), lasts a lifetime, and will not leak (when properly installed). The lifetime of most metal roofs are anywhere from 40 to 70 years. Compared to regular asphalt roofing is 12 to 20 years. It’s lighter in weight which will assist your structures integrity overtime.  Realizing this now almost makes you wonder how long and why the information Gods have been holding out on you!

When comparing shingle roofing, imagine your metal roofing in a large storm. The metal roofing will absorb the abuse much easier. High wings, rain is riding in horizontally, and now hail is in the mix. What would be happening to those slightly cheaper shingles you decided to use as a roof? Once the storm finally passes and you can go look at the evidence and why you should have said “yes” to the metal roofing.

You can come back to reality and clearly see why metal roofing is always a fantastic choice for roofing. Not to mention, the installation of metal roofing is far less time-consuming than that of the labor of shingle roofing. Let’s not forget that it is fire resistant! Not to mention how gorgeous and shiny copper roofing looks if you go that route.

              Hands down, metal roofing is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for roofing. It lasts a lifetime, resist many weathering and natural disaster effects, and is cost efficient in the summertime by maintaining a cooler temperature than that of a house with regular shingles.  Contact Landmark Exteriors for a quote or if you have any questions at all.  https://www.landmarkexteriors.com/roofing

 

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day

January 10 is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day. Celebrate saving money! Now that the holiday excess is over, it’s time to think about reality and get efficient.

Simple Tips to Cut Your Energy Costs

  1. Turn the thermostat down to 67 or lower before you go to bed.
  2. Close off vents and doors to rooms rarely used.
  3. Turn down your thermostat when cooking with the oven.
  4. Only use energy efficient LED and CFL bulbs.
  5. Wash your clothes in cold not warm or hot water.
  6. Open curtains and drapes on sunny days and let the sun do its job!
  7. Change your furnace filter on a regular basis and keep it clean.

It doesn’t seem like much but, you’ll see a big difference when the energy bill comes in.

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day is a good time to assess the outside conditions of your home, too. Snow and ice are a way of life for us, and accumulations of it can have serious consequences to your home and how you live.

Roofs and Snow and Ice, Oh No!

Do you see icicle formations hanging from the roof around your home? Those icicles have the potential to damage your shingles and the gutters around the roof. Proper gutters are crucial for correct roof drainage. Gutters should be clean and free of debris and have no cracks to work effectively.

As warm air from your heating rises, or the sun shines, the shingles warm and cause snow and ice to melt. This snow, freeze, thaw cycle places stress on your roof and it can crack and leak. When freezing water expands it adds pressure to your roof and the size of the crack increases.

What About Siding?

Remember heat expands and cold contracts. During the times the sun comes out finally and gives us some warmth the siding on your house can take a beating.

If there are small gaps or cracks in your siding, they can widen during the snow, freeze, thaw cycle. Cracks and gaps in your siding allows a cold breeze in and if that area has plumbing, your pipes can freeze and burst.

Get started today on National Cut Your Energy Costs Day. Find out what you can do to save every day and contact Landmark Exteriors.

Getting Your Roof Through the Winter

One of the main results of poor winterization of roofs here in Connecticut is interior leaking. As in-home heating is running, it escapes the home because heat rises. Poorly insulated walls or attics allows the heat in-home to escape. 

The snow on top of your home will liquefy and enter through any nooks or breaks in the structure. Here are some tips to prevent any roof catastrophes this winter.

Do Not Use Rock Salt On Your Roof

Many people try applying rock salt or calcium chloride to melt the snow on the roof. This technique’s drawback is that it can damage your current shingles. One broken shingle may not sound like a problem, however, shingles work together to protect your roof! A single missing or broken shingle is a spot where water can get in.

Replace Cracked Shingles

Asphalt shingles are a very common choice for roofing.  When the temperate drops below freezing, they get brittle and tend to break or crack easily. When the water settles into these cracks, it freezes and expands, causing the cracks to become bigger. A cracked shingle, therefore, becomes counterproductive in the process of preventing leakage. It allows for the water to penetrate the cracks and flow into the inner side of the roof.

Add More Insulation

Missing insulation in the roofs of old houses and buildings makes the roof much more susceptible to mold and damages. Any amount of heating used to warm a room without an insulated roof and walls can leak outside. Thus, losing any heat created by your in-home heating unit. Getting insulation installed into your roof and walls will prevent spikes in your heating bill.

Make Necessary Repairs

If your roof is in disrepair, don’t wait until next season to address the problems — now is the time to fix these common roof repairs: 

  • Roof leaks
  • Damaged flashing
  • Clogged gutters
  • Lifted, missing or cracked shingles
  • Tree damage
  • Animal infestation

Have Your Roof Inspected Regularly

You can prevent any leaking by getting a routine inspection. A professional roofing contractor will be able to inspect your current siding and can look to see if there are any adjustments needed. 

It is a precarious undertaking to attempt these winter tips yourself and many homeowners can attest to the high risk of safety in doing so. Do not jeopardize your well-being and leave these dangerous tasks to professionals with the expertise and appropriate equipment.

Experienced and trained technicians at Landmark Exteriors can assist you with your winterization process right when you need it. For any roof inspection, roof repair, or roof replacement needs, contact the pros at Landmark Exteriors today. Make sure to enjoy your winter hassle-free!

Snow Removal Services for Winter

Keep your home’s roof safe this winter. With winter rapidly approaching, many people feel as if they are not prepared for the snow and ice that will blanket their homes.

The most common services that can assist these homeowners in making the winter more bearable are:

  • Roof snow removal
  • Snow Guard Installation

Having snow removed from a home’s roof can prevent ice damming from occurring. Ice dams typically form from snow accumulation in dirty gutters and can back up water on a roof, forcing it into the home. This can cause damage to the home’s roof, ceilings, wiring, walls, and floors. Snow guards are also used to prevent snow and ice from suddenly breaking free from the roof and causing damage to structures below. These products can hold the snow in place until it can be removed by a professional.

Shoveling Snow

Some homes may require maintenance to be performed on them due to damage incurred in past winters. It is important to have these problems fixed as soon as possible so that a small problem does not turn into a huge expense. Areas most commonly in need of repair due to inclement conditions are:

  • Roofs
  • Siding
  • Gutters
  • Decks 

What causes damage to roofs?

Snow dams and ice-laden branches can damage a roof. If the roof is not properly repaired, water and ice can find their way into the interior of the home. This will damage drywall, rot wooden support beams and even affect the foundation. Water that has found its way into a crack in a house’s siding can quickly turn to ice in the winter. As water freezes, it expands and this expansion can crack or pop loose siding, leaving a bigger exposed area for more water to get into.

Also, snow and ice can bend or dislodge a gutter due to the weight of large icicles and heavy snow. Once a gutter is removed in this fashion, it creates a place for water and ice to seep in, which will further damage the home. Lastly, large chunks of ice or fallen gutters can break boards in decking and knock loose deck railings. This can present a safety hazard for those living in the house and can cause mold to form in the spring. Wood rot can also occur.

What are Ice Dams and how do I prevent or treat them?

Typically, an ice dam will simply start as snow laying on a roof. Wind and frozen rain may allow the ice to slide down the pitch of the roof and rest in the gutter. If the gutter is not cleaned, then the water and ice mixture will have nowhere to drain off of the roof. This causes the water to remain in the gutter and freeze.

ice damn in the gutter After time, more ice and water will accumulate and work its way up the roof. As the water and ice accumulates, the stress of the weight on the roof and gutter increases. When the weight becomes too heavy for the support structure of the gutter it can no longer be held in place and the gutter will come crashing down onto the ground or any structure below. The remaining weight that is on the roof from the backed up ice can also cause roof trusses to warp and splinter.

We want you to know that this can cost the homeowner many thousands of dollars in the initial repair of your roof and gutter system. If left unchecked, water can enter into the home and ruin drywall, paint, wood floors, and even concrete. Not only this, but when spring comes those areas will be at an added risk of mold which can cause respiratory problems.

The first line of defense that we recommend in preventing an ice dam is to make sure that your gutters are cleaned and that your downspouts are clear of obstruction. This will allow the water to flow off of the roof which will decrease the likelihood that it will build up and cause an ice dam. However, sometimes ice dams will still form in stubborn areas.

There are heated wires that can be placed in these areas to melt the ice dam by running electricity through the wires. This is an effective means to get to a specific trouble spot. Bear in mind that it is going to increase your electric bill since the system converts electricity into heat.

Calcium chloride, which comes in many sidewalk and driveway ice melting products, can be sprinkled on the area to melt the ice dam. It is important to prepare the area by removing a strip of snow parallel, but above, to the direction of the ice dam so that the product will not melt the snow which will dilute it and may cause it to run off the roof before working on the ice dam.

Contact us today if you have any concerns or need someone to inspect your gutters for possible ice dams or ice dam prevention. Visit https://www.landmarkexteriors.com/ or give us a call at  (203) 838-3838.

 

Holiday Events in the Norwalk, CT Area

If you are in the Norwalk, Connecticut area, there are plenty of ways that you can celebrate the holiday season. Here is a look at some of the special events happening around the city. party event

1. Menorah Lighting Celebration

Stew Leonard’s Norwalk is having its annual Menorah Lighting Celebration to help celebrate Hanukkah. The festivities begin with the Rabbi Yehoshua Hecht lighting a large menorah. There will be an evening long celebration of singing and dancing. Kosher refreshments will be served, along with chocolate gelt and dreidels. Officials from Norwalk will attend to partake in this large menorah lighting celebration.

2. The Magic of Christmas

The Magic of Christmas at the Spinning Wheel combines food with fellowship. Those who attend will enjoy a three course dinner, along with a holiday themed show featuring music and comedy that the whole family will be able to enjoy. Among the dishes being served are; Chef’s Seasonal Soup, Roast Prime Rib, Bourbon Salmon, Chicken Chardonnay, and warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream.

3. Norwalk’s Saltwater Sweater Party

The Saltwater restaurant and bar is hosting a sweater party. Try to find a unique creative sweater, as there will be prizes given out to those who wear sweaters that stand out. A fraction of the proceeds will go to the Love ALL Project. The Love ALL Project strives to end the damaging impact of hate by bringing together the entire community to help develop understanding while building relationships.

4. The Nutcracker Dream

Come out and enjoy a musical adaptation of the classic Nutcracker, where Marie heads to The Land of Sweets while dreaming. Directed by Carole Alexis, the performance will be a showcase for students from the Ballet des Ameriques School. Come out and enjoy this spectacular display of ballet.

If you are having any issues with your roofing, Landmark Exteriors will take care of your roofing needs and ensure that you have the opportunity to enjoy the holidays. Landmark Exteriors wishes you and your family a happy holiday season.

Why Preparing Your Roof For Winter Is Crucial

Every homeowner that lives in a region where it snows a lot knows that every season they need to prepare their home for winter. They need to make sure their heating system works, their insulation is correct, and to ensure that their home can take a big snow storm and still heat the home. One thing many homeowners do not think about when they think about winter and their home is roofing.

snow on roof

The roof of your home is crucial when it comes to big snowstorms because it has the insulation and it is what keeps snow from falling on your head when you are in your home. Every snow season you should inspect your roof to make sure that it is not damaged, and if there are damages / leaks, that you repair those damages so that snow does not get into our house. You really do not want to discover that your roof has any leaks and would allow water or debris into your attics, insulation, or crawlspaces before a snow storm arrives. Let Landmark Exteriors look at your roof.

Common problems with roofing are that the gutter is clogged up so that excess rain and snow cannot escape the roof, or that the roof is physically damaged. Both of these are quick and easy fixes but are not always cheap fixes. You should hire a person that is knowledgeable in offering to come to your home and inspect the roof to ensure that it is safe for the winter and if there are updates that are needed that they can be quickly put onto the roof.

Many homeowners do not focus on their roof because they believe that it is an expensive part of the home to fix, but not always. Very old homes should be candidates for a whole new roof because it might not be able to withstand the force of many pounds of snow. A lot of snow on a roof can cause the roof to actually collapse which is a very expensive and really dangerous situation.

This winter, make sure that your home is up to the challenge of winter weather. Make sure that your home can properly heat and that the roof can handle pounds of snow on top of it. Getting in front of your repairs ahead of time can save you a world of headcase and costs. Make sure that your roof is ready for the winter season. Contact us today, Landmark Exteriors is here to help.

 

How Snow Can Damage Your Home

The approach of winter brings with it the promise of a beautiful Winterland and hours of invigorating snow play; however, as beautiful as the snow is to gaze at and get lost in, it can present various problems for your home if left unattended. In fact, there are various ways that snow can damage your home, including:

Roof Damage

Persistent or heavy snowfall can accumulate several inches of snow on your roof, which can cause your roof to become weighted. In fact, you witness this weight yourself each time you shovel the snow. If left unattended, the weight of the snow can cause your roof to collapse if it is not sturdy enough. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you promptly remove the snow from your roof following each snowfall in order to prevent roof damage.

Structural Damage

As snow melts, it creates a large amount of water, which requires proper drainage in order to remove. Clogged gutters can hinder proper drainage, which can lead to water build-up. When this occurs, it allows water to accumulate on your roof and in your gutters, which can then saturate the ceiling and other structures and cause them to warp, split or crack. It can also seep into slates, tiles, fixtures and other gaps and cause condensation inside your home.

Gutter Damage

Through the seasons your gutters collect their share of debris, which if left unattended can present various issues during the winter. When your gutters are clogged, it prevents melting snow from properly draining, which in turn allows packed snow and water to build up in your gutters and down spouts that can freeze and split or crack your gutters and pipes and lead to costly repairs. Having your gutters cleaned on a regular basis helps prevent water build-up, which can help preserve your home during the winter.

Siding Damage

Siding protects your home from damage, mildew and mold, and helps keeps your home cozy during the colder months. However, if snow gets behind the siding, it can dampen the wood, which can cause bowing in your ceiling, walls and floors. Keeping your gutters properly cleaned and promptly removing snow and ice after each snowfall can help preserve your siding as well as your home.

Professional roofing, gutter and siding service and repair by Landmark Exteriors can help protect your home, so you can enjoy the joy of winter as it was meant to be.

Prepping Your Home for Winter

When winter hits, it can be an expensive time of the year when it comes to that energy bill. You can assist your budget by addressing any leaks, gaps, cracks and minor repairs that will drive up your heating bill. Here are a few tips to prep your home for this winter season.

Roof Inspection and Repair

Because most ceilings are not air tight or insulated well enough, heated air will escape into the attic. When the attic is warming up with this air, any leaks or cracks in the roof will allow that hot air to further escape the rooms below. People then crank up their thermostats without realizing it’s because heat is constantly leaving the home through the ceiling. Up to 25% of heat escapes the home through the roof, so when snowfall arrives, this escaping heat can melt the snow as well, allowing moisture to enter the home through the roof. This can cause mildew / mold build up in the attic, causing a whole other headache of problems. Having a trained technician come out and inspect the roof and repair any damages could greatly help out your heating bill in the long run.

Reverse Ceiling Fans

Heat rises, which means the warmest point of a room can be the ceiling. If you have any rooms with ceiling fan, flipping the blades or running the blades in clockwise direction (check your owner manual for seasonal instructions) will assist the hot air to stay in the room longer. This is really beneficial for rooms with high ceilings, the air will begin to circulate instead of staying at the top of the room.

Window Repair

Check your windows for any cool breezes / cold spots you might feel coming in from the outside. Take the precaution and add caulk around all the windows inside and out. One of the better options is to have a trained technician inspect your windows inside and out. Some windows might need more than just caulk that would repair any leaks.

Clear the gutters

Clear out your gutters of debris. All the waste, leaves, rubbish that is in the gutters can cause water to back up against the house and damage the roofing, the siding and trim. This build up can also cause ice dams to build up. Avoid damage to your home by clearing these out.

At Landmark Exteriors, we have a team of trained specialists that are able to assist with any roofing, window, siding, and gutter repairs. Look no further than Landmark Exteriors to help your home get ready for winter! To learn more about our services, check out our website or speak with one of our professionals at 203.838.3838.

What Happens When a Tree Falls on Your House?

You may be safe inside your home when a storm hits, but what about your property? High winds, rain, thunder, and lightening can all take a toll on your home — and even large trees! That’s right, sometimes a storm can be so bad that a tree ends up falling on top of your roof. Here are the necessary steps you should if this ever happens to you.

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Safety

We know it hurts to sit back and not do anything, but removing a tree from your property can be really dangereous. Wait for the pros who have the qualifications and experience necessary to get the job done right.

Check Inside

Check inside your home for signs of damage and then call a professional. You may not find anything substantial, but sometimes damage may not be visible, so it’s important to make sure your property is thoroughly checked just in case.

Document Everything

You will want to take pictures all around your home for your insurance claim and your own personal records. Try to snap some shots of every angle — even inside your home and after the tree is removed.

Fix Your Roof

Contact a roofing specialist to repair or replace your roof. Landmark Exteriors Home Care division provides an extensive list of services to keep your home in great shape. Large or small, we take care of everything from routine maintenance items like gutter cleaning to emergency roof repairs. At Landmark Exterior Home Care, we take pride in finding solutions to your problems and helping you sustain the beauty of your home.

If you’re looking for a dedicated, experienced, and dependable roofing contractor, look no further than Landmark Exteriors! To learn more about our services, check out our website or speak with one of our professionals at 203.838.3838.