Making Your Yard More Social

As the summer weather continues to roll in, you’ll probably find yourself planning get-togethers with family and friends. While many of these gatherings take place inside or in your backyard, why not use the other part of your property that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves —  your front yard?

All it takes is a few steps to make your yard more social and create the perfect setting for summer fun with friends and family.

Add a Pathway

While it may seem pretty to have your front yard be entirely grass, is often a good idea to have a pathway that directly leads guests to your front door or patio area. If you aren’t too keen on adding stones or more defined pathway materials, you could simply trim the lawn a bit shorter in a line to create that path.

Add a Patio Set

If your front yard features an area where guests can sit and relax, take advantage of it by adding an inviting furniture set. Unlike your backyard, your front yard typically only needs a few chairs and a small table to create a social environment for guests to sit, drink a lemonade, and chat.

Create Shade

While most of us like spending time in the summer sun, that doesn’t mean we want it beating down on us the entire time we’re outside. Consider adding a porch cover or retractable awning to your yard to offer guests some nice shade. If that’s a bit out of your price range, you can also just add a large standing umbrella.

Light Things Up

While you want to give your guests some relief from the shade during the day, you also want to have some outdoor lighting so the party doesn’t have to stop once the sun goes down. Some hanging lights, accent lighting, or even a couple of solar lights are a great way to do this.

For all your roofing and siding needs near Norwalk, CT, contact the professionals at JM Roofing & Siding. Give us a call at 203-299-0716 for your FREE estimate today.

Caring for a Flat Roof

Over the past few years, homes are being built using more modern architectural styles and characteristics — one of which being flat roofs. While flat roofs add a certain flair to homes, they can also pose a certain number of problems as well, such as leaks and water damage. In order to keep your roof in good shape and protect your home, follow these tips for caring for a flat roof.

Make Inspections Regularly

One of the best things you can do to keep your flat roof safe is to inspect it on a regular basis. While all roofs need inspections, flat roofs need it a bit more to check for pooling water, cracks, or leaks. If you find any of these issues up on the roof, you’ll want to have repairs made right away before any further damage occurs.

Keep Drains Clear

While you’re inspecting the roof, take a good look at your drains. Clear any leaves, twigs, or other debris from them so water can easily flow off your roof. If the drains are clogged, water will pool and can cause leaks and water damage.

Take Care of Nearby Trees

Nearby tree branches can be a danger to any roof, but flat roofs are particularly vulnerable. If branches scrape against your roof or fall onto it, your drains can be blocked and water can pool on your roof. To prevent this, have tree branches cut back to be at least six feet from your home.

At JM Roofing & Siding, we can install and repair your flat roof in Norwalk, CT. Give us a call today for your free estimate!

Common Exterior Paint Problems

When homeowners are looking to create a brighter, more rustic look for their home, many of them opt to paint their home’s exterior.  While this seems like a good idea, exterior paint faces a number of problems in terms of durability and appearance. These are just some of the most common exterior paint problems.

Frequent Upkeep

No matter what climate you live in, your home takes a serious beating from Mother Nature. Between  pouring rain in the spring, blistering sun in the summer, and heavy snows and chemical melters in the winter, the sides of your home need to be covered in something very durable.

Even the toughest exterior paint needs to be refreshed every two to three years in order to maintain its integrity. While that may not seem like too often, if you’re the one who has to paint your entire home or pay someone to do so, those two years can fly by and the maintenance can start to be frustrating.

Sagging Paint

A big issue that comes about when people try to make exterior painting a DIY project is that they put on too heavy of a layer of paint. This can cause the paint to sag or droop creating an unsightly appearance.

Peeling Paint

If your paint was applied to a surface that was still wet or dirty or the paint was low-quality, it can start to peel.  Not only is this unsightly, but it leaves your home vulnerable to damage.

Blistering Paint

When paint starts to blister, tiny air bubbles start to appear under the surface of the paint. This is typically caused by applying the paint in direct sunlight or because of moisture that gets underneath the paint due to any number of issues.

For all your siding near in Norwalk, CT, look no further than JM Roofing & Siding. Give us a call today for your FREE estimate!

Protecting Your Home from Water Damage

Essentially, everyone loves the warmer weather that spring and summer bring — but not everyone is the biggest fan of the inevitable rainstorms that roll through as well. While it’s bad enough to have your day plans ruined by a downpour, if you don’t take certain precautions, more than your day can be ruined: your home can be, too. It’s essential to protect your home from water damage, so here’s what to check.

Your Roof

First and foremost, your roof needs to be in good condition in order to protect your home from water damage. After all, that’s the first place water hits. On a regular basis, walk around your home and see if your roof has suffered any damage in the form of warped, torn, or missing shingles or has any spots where water could make its way into your living space. If it does, have repairs made so your home is safe.

Your Gutters

After your roof, your gutters are your home’s next line of defense against water damage. Your gutters need to be cleaned and your downspouts need to be extended five feet away in order to easily allow water to flow away from your home. If your gutters are clogged, water can spill over the side of your home and cause water damage to your siding or foundation.

Your Pipes

Especially if they’re behind a wall, it can be difficult to tell if you have a plumbing leak — but letting one go unrepaired can do some serious damage to your home. If you notice your water bill suddenly increases, or your water pressure decreasing, get your pipes inspected to ensure you don’t have a leak. Otherwise, the excess moisture can eat away at your drywall and risk mold growth.

When you need repairs made to your siding or roof in Norwalk, CT, look no further than the experts at JM Roofing & Siding. Give us a call at 203-299-0716 for your FREE estimate today.

Spring Home Chores to Do Now

As Spring continues to grace us with warmer weather, you’ve probably come up with a list of chores you want to get done before summer hits. Well, if you’re having trouble actually starting that list, don’t stress. These are some slightly easier spring home chores to do right now to get your living space in better shape.

Check Your Smoke Detectors

Although a smoke detector’s batteries tend to last several years, it’s still important to check them regularly to ensure they’re working properly. Test every detector in your home and if they don’t ring, install fresh batteries. Also, be sure to do this with your carbon monoxide detectors as well.

Empty Your Closets

After months of packing your drawers and closets with bulky winter clothes, packing all those items into boxes and place them into storage for the summer. You’ll have a much easier time finding your favorite summer outfits if you don’t have to go through a bunch of sweaters first.

Change Your Washing Machine Hoses

These hoses, especially if they’re made of rubber, can wear down, crack, or burst if they’re not replaced enough. In order to avoid a clog or mess, it’s best to replace your rubber hoses with new ones or with longer-lasting stainless steel-braided.

Clean Your Gutters

All those spring showers can clog up your gutters with leaves and other debris, so make sure you clean out your gutters regularly. This can be done in a few hours over the weekend, but should definitely be done after any big storm.

Wash Your Interiors

After taking a beating from snow and salt, your siding needs a good wash. Use a soft-bristled brush, soap, and water to wash any grime off your siding and keep it in good shape.

For all your roofing and siding needs near Norwalk, CT, contact the professionals at JM Roofing & Siding. Give us a call at 203-299-0716 for your FREE estimate today.

How to Maintain Your Shingles

From the condition of your lawn to the color of your garden plants, your home’s exterior look probably matters a lot to you. While your shrubbery is important, there’s another exterior item that needs a little more attention than the plants: your roof. Roof shingles need to be well taken care of in order to stay in good condition and protect you and your family. Here are just a few of the many ways you can maintain your shingles.

Keep an Eye on Them

This is probably the simplest task of them all. Either when you leave the house in the morning or have a few minutes over the weekend, walk around your home and take a good look at your shingles. If you spot any damage, such as flared, torn, or missing shingles, have repairs made as soon as possible.

Trim Away Hanging Branches

If you have any trees whose branches brush against your roof, have them trimmed back a bit. Not only can branches scratch and damage your shingles, but if a big storm causes that branch to fall, it could damage your roof even more.

Clean Your Gutters

Not only can dirty gutters pull  at your fascia, but if water isn’t able to flow off your roof through them, it can flow back up and under your shingles. This can cause your roof to experience water damage, as well as cause shingles to become loose or come off your roof entirely

For more tips on maintaining and caring for your roof, make sure to keep up with our blog. And for all your Roofing and Siding needs in Connecticut, contact the experts at JM Roofing and Siding!

Pros and Cons of Tile Roofing

When deciding on what material to choose for your roof, an option that is becoming more and more popular are tiles. With their attractive appearance and flair, it’s no wonder more and more homeowners are leaning towards tiles. However, no roofing material is perfect, so before you invest in them, it’s wise to know the pros and cons of tile roofing.

Pros

Long-Lasting

This is one of the best perks of tile roofing. When used in the right climate and installed properly, tile can last for decades, sometimes even over a hundred years. Oftentimes, tile roofing with be the only roof you’ll have to buy in your lifetime for that house.

Environmentally-Friendly

While asphalt shingles are made using non-organic compounds, tiles are made using organic, Earth materials, such as concrete or terra cotta. When they need to be replaced, the tiles are able to be recycled without harming our planet.

Low Maintenance

Since it’s so durable, tile roofing requires little to no regular maintenance, making them a solid investment.

Cons

Expensive

Tile roofs can cost a lot more than shingle roofs. While they do last longer and you won’t have to replace them as much, you’ll pay more upfront for tiles.

Heavy

Before setting your sights on tiles, you’ll have to have your roof inspected to ensure it can hold the weight of the tiles, since they’re significantly heavier than shingles. If your roof is determined to not be able to hold tile shingles, you won’t be able to have them installed.

For all your roofing needs in the Norwalk, CT area, trust the experts at JM Roofing & Siding. With over 15 years of experience under our belts, we have the knowledge and know-how to offer you the best experience possible. Give us a call today at 203-299-0716.

Tips for Inspecting Your Roof

If there’s one home maintenance task you should be doing (at least) at the start of every season, it should be a roof inspection. Every season brings with it new challenges for your roof — winter hail, spring rain, and blazing summer heat — so it’s important that you properly inspect your roof each season to ensure it’s in the best condition possible to keep you and your family safe.

Do a Walk Around

When you first go to inspect your roof, simply start by walking around the perimeter of your home and using your eyes to check for any damage. You’ll want to look at three areas specifically to ensure your roof is in good shape.

Your Shingles

Your shingles are susceptible to a lot of different types of damage during the year. During your walk around, take note of any areas where your shingles look loose, cracked, out of place, torn, or missing altogether. Those areas should be repaired as soon as possible so your home doesn’t suffer water damage or a critter infestation.

Your Flashing

Your flashing is the area when two slopes of your roof meet, typically near walls or your chimney. If the flashing is loose in any areas, missing its rubber cover, has exposed nails, or coated with cracked cement (a sign on improper installation), you’ll need to schedule a repair.

Your Gutters

Your gutters are a very important part of having a well-functioning roof. However, if they get clogged, the weight of the sitting water can cause your gutters to become loose, pull at the seams, and even weigh down your fascia. Make sure your gutters are in good condition and clean them regularly so water can easily flow off your roof.

For all your roofing needs in the Norwalk, CT area, trust the experts at JM Roofing & Siding. With over 15 years of experience under our belts, we have the knowledge and know-how to offer you the best experience possible. Give us a call today at 203-299-0716.

Siding Colors to Make Your Home Pop

When you drive down the street, you probably see house after house with grey or tan siding. Talk about boring! Who wants to fit in when you can stand out? If you want to make your home stand out from the rest of the neighborhood, consider choosing a siding color that has a little flair to it and makes your home pop.

Yellow

Make your home look like a ray of sunshine! Yellow is a happy color that will brighten your street and give your home a classic feel. When you add a certain color of trim, such as white or light grey, you can give your home a modern, fresh feel as well. You can also pair yellow siding with a metal roof if you’re going for an even brighter look.

Red

Red siding looks great when paired with a dark roof. That combination paired with a white trim often gives your home a very colonial feel. Red siding can also pass for brick from a distance, so it’s a great option if you like brick but aren’t looking to spend the money on it.

Blue

A rich blue can give your home a regal, modern feeling. Depending on the color trim you choose, such as white, your home can look very picturesque, like it came straight out of a movie. Blue is also a calming color, so seeing that when you pull into the driveway after a long day at work can put you in a better mood.

For all your roofing and siding needs near Norwalk, CT, contact the professionals at JM Roofing & Siding. Give us a call at 203-299-0716 for your FREE estimate today.

Comparing Roof Material Lifespans

When you’re making as big of a decision as replacing your roof, one of the major choices to make is what material you’ll use. Since you likely want this to be one of the only times you completely replace your roof, you’re going to want to look for a material that has a long lifespan. Well, you have a lot of options.

Composite Asphalt Shingles

This is one of the most popular roofing materials on the market. Composite asphalt shingles have a relatively low-cost and typically last for 15 to 40 years, depending on how well you care for your roof, your area’s weather, and the level of quality the shingles are.

Metal

Over the years, metal roofs are becoming increasingly more popular. Typically, metal roofs are made using steel or aluminum, but they can also use copper or zinc. Since they’re very durable, metal roofs tend to last about 30 to 50 years, some lasting decades longer.

Wood Shingles

Wood shingles are made using thin pieces of natural wood and can give your home a fresh look. On average, they last about 25 to 30 years, but it’s important to note that they do require a lot of maintenance in order to stay in good condition.

Clay Tiles

Clay tiles add southern flair to your home and can be made using terra-cotta clay, ceramic, or concrete. They are very durable and strong to use as a roofing material, allowing them to last around 100 years before needing replacing. Be in mind that your roof must be designed to hold the weight of clay tiles, less you potentially damage your home

For all your roofing needs in the Norwalk, CT area, trust the experts at JM Roofing & Siding. With over 15 years of experience under our belts, we have the knowledge and know-how to offer you the best experience possible. Give us a call today at 203-299-0716.