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Wednesday, December 19, 2012
by MJT Staff
When it comes to your home’s gutter system, efficiency and expected life are largely based on the ability of you –the homeowner- to keep your gutters clean and cleared of debris including tree sap, nuts, seed balls, sticks and small branches, abandoned insect hives, birds’ nests, and above all else…LEAVES!
As we are now well into the autumn season, despite your best efforts to herd those beautiful, constantly-falling leaves, they will without a doubt find their way into your gutters if they haven’t already. Left unattended, your gutters will not drain rain water correctly, often times creating a mess around your home –not to mention the eyesore of gutters stuffed with leaves.
Left through the end of the autumn season and into the winter, clogged gutters can lead to ice dams which form as snow and water attempts to make its way through your gutter system, but is halted by leaves and other such debris. Ice dams cause damage in various ways including the allowance of water, unable to drain, to leak into your house, as well as the possibility of tearing your gutters down all together due to the significant weight increase. What a nightmare!
Ideally, you should plan on cleaning your gutter system TWICE/year; once at the end of summer/beginning of autumn and again before the beginning of winter’s first snowfall. It’s important to remember that your gutter system is more than just the gutters lining your roof, it also includes the downspout. Often neglected, the downspout should be cleared as part of the gutter cleaning process. The most efficient way to clear your downspout is to start at the bottom and work your way up; this avoids the compacting of debris which occurs when starting at the top. A common plumber’s snake is perfect for accomplishing the job.
While cleaning your gutters you may encounter debris in various states. It can be very dry and caked inside the gutter walls, or very wet and soggy. Dry debris is best approached with the help of some water; ideally a garden hose, but a bucket of water will also suffice. This will break the caked debris off the walls, allowing some to drain, while the rest can be cleaned out by hand. The best way to approach soggy blockages is with a tarp or garbage bag in which you may contain the debris and avoid creating a significant mess.
Although gutter cleaning is certainly a task which may be accomplished by homeowners it is still important to remember safety first! Wear maintenance or garden gloves, especially if you are removing debris from your gutters by hand. Ensure the footing of your ladder; do not attempt to balance with any less than all 4 feet securely on the ground. If you have gutter guards in place, take the time to properly remove them before beginning to clean; improper technique can lead to broken guards or even injury.
Let us know if you have any gutter cleaning/maintenance tips to share!
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Tuesday, July 10, 2012
by MJT Staff
A twice-yearly inspection of your roof, inside and out, will help you remain aware of your roof's condition. Spring and fall are ideal times for this, as it will allow you to catch any damage caused during the previous winter, and to make any necessary repairs before the upcoming winter.
Start at the Top
Because interior issues may be easier to spot, your inspection should begin in the attic. First be sure that no outside light can be seen through the roof, and then use a flashlight to check for sagging and other signs of structural damage.
While in the attic, keep an eye out for signs of water damage (such as leakage, stains or dark spots). Driving rain and ice build-up can penetrate the roof in areas of inadequate shingle underlayment. This can go hand-in-hand with inadequate ventilation – which may cause rotting of siding or the roof's sheathing – so also be on the lookout for mold or mildew on the attic ceiling and walls.
Take It Outside
Now turn your attention to your roof's exterior. In most cases, there's no need to climb a ladder. A simple visual check, with both feet on the ground, should suffice. Start with a broad assessment – do any areas appear to be buckling? Are shingles missing? Do you notice any areas of decay? Dark spots resembling "stains" may indicate areas of shingle wear, or, if your home is in a particularly humid climate, may actually be algae growth.
Go In-Depth
Next, focus your inspection on the structural elements of your roof – the chimney, pipes, stacks, vents, etc. (You may find binoculars helpful for this.) Signs of wear around these elements may include damaged flashing and loose material, which can cause leaks.
Finally, inspect the shingles of your roof (as best as you can). Although some granule loss is normal with all kinds of shingles, an excessive loss of granules may be seen in roofs that experience high levels of wear (such as severe hail storms or frequently being walked on). If your roof appears to be "balding," you may even find granules on the ground or at the base of downspouts. Shingles that appear to be cracked, curled, or blistered have likely reached the end of their lifespan. For roofs with wooden shingles or shakes, also be on the lookout for insect damage.
Add Up the Numbers
Even if you're doing your due dilligience by inspecting your roof twice per year, don't overlook the cold hard facts – if your roof is well past its expected life span, it may be time to at least start thinking about a replacement. Another number to pay attention to? Your monthly energy bill. If this seems excessive, your roof may be the culprit – poor ventilation and insufficient insulation can drive up your heating and cooling costs.
Whether your roof needs minor repairs or a complete replacement, MJT can help. We employ only GAF-certified contractors, offer exclusive warranties and have over 15 years of professional experience installing beautiful, high-quality roofs. Give us a call today to learn more.
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Friday, June 15, 2012
by MJT Staff
If you’re thinking about selling your home in the near or even not-so-near future, you’ll want to spend your money wisely when it comes to home renovations. Carefully selecting home improvement projects with high rates of return can help you maximize your home's resale value.
According to the latest “Cost vs. Value Report” from Remodeling magazine, exterior replacement projects are ranked highest in terms of home improvements that retain the most value.
Entry Door Replacement
Replacing a home’s exterior door with a steel entry door topped the list with one of the highest rates of return – up to 73%.
Entry doors are more than just an aesthetic enhancement, so this is one replacement you won’t want to skip, even if you aren’t planning to sell. Steel provides extra insulation, making it more energy efficient than a wooden door. A steel door also offers an extra layer of security for your home, and is lower-maintenance as it won't bow or warp, and can withstand virtually every kind of weather.
Siding Replacement
Siding replacement was also found to have a high rate of return – about 69.5% of cost is recouped for midrange vinyl or upscale foam-backed vinyl siding, or up to 78% for upscale fiber-cement siding replacement.
Again, this is another replacement that has benefits far beyond increasing your home’s worth. New siding not only increases your home’s aesthetic value, but is also durable and low-maintenance.
Window Replacement
Window replacements also proved to be a strong contender towards increasing your home’s resale value. With up to a 67.5% return for midrange wood windows, and up to a 69.1% return for upscale vinyl windows, this replacement is undoubtedly a good investment. New windows are also increasingly energy efficient, so you’ll see a decrease in your energy bills!
Roof Replacement
If your current roof is showing signs of wear and tear, a roof replacement is not only a practical upgrade, but one that may also be cost-effective, with up to 57.8% of cost recouped. A roofing replacement also pays off when it comes to your home’s energy efficiency, safety and aesthetic value.
If you’re ready to make an upgrade, give MJT a call. We offer beautiful and durable options in a variety of materials for your entry door, siding, windows and roof, and you can trust our responsible tradesmen to provide the highest quality work.
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Wednesday, May 16, 2012
by MJT Staff
New windows are an investment in your home.
Not only do replacement windows add value to your home, but they also help reduce your energy costs. Evaluate your windows on the factors below. Poor performance in one or more areas may mean it's time for you to replace your old windows.
Energy Efficiency
- You can feel a draft and/or a noticeable temperature difference near the windows or door.
- Your current windows have aluminum framing and/or thin glass panes.
- Your current windows are single-paned glass.
- You can see fog or condensation forming between the layers of glass in a dual-paned window.
Replacing old or drafty windows can save you big bucks when it comes to your home’s heating and cooling costs. Energy-efficient windows have low-emissivity coatings and two or more layers of glass. You can choose among wood, fiberglass or vinyl frame options to best match your home's look.
Window Functionality
- Your windows are difficult to open and close.
- The sashes of your windows don’t operate correctly.
- The wood frames of your windows are moldy or rotting.
If you’re struggling with the normal operation of your home’s windows, it may be time for an upgrade. Today's windows are designed to last longer and with less effort; many come with extended or even lifetime warranties.
Level of Maintenance Required
- Your windows are difficult to clean.
- Your windows require periodic sanding, scraping and painting.
There’s no need to live with high-maintenance windows. Newer windows are designed to be low maintenance, and some models tilt in to allow for easy cleaning.
Health
- Black mold is visible on the wood frames of your windows.
- Lead paint is present on the wood or steel frames of your windows.
Ridding your home of any health hazards should always be a top priority, so be sure to replace any windows that may pose a threat to your well-being.
Technology
- Your current windows transfer a noticeable amount of noise from outside the home.
- The sunlight allowed in by your windows is fading or damaging your floors and furniture.
Take advantage of the many features today’s windows have to offer – these added benefits mean you'll be improving more than just your windows!
Aesthetics
- Your current windows detract from your home’s internal or external appearance.
- A room in your home is too dark and needs more natural light.
Why live with windows that you simply don’t like? Installing additional or more attractive windows can make your home a more comfortable space while increasing its resale value.
MJT Exteriors is a leading exterior contractor in Connecticut. Contact us today to recieve a free estimate for NEW energy efficient, low-maintenance replacement windows.
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Thursday, March 15, 2012
by MJT Staff
MJT Exteriors will be participating in this weekend's Connecticut Home & Remodeling Show, presented by the Home Builders Association of Hartford County.
The 2012 CT Home Show is the 65th annual event, and will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center from March 16th through March 18th. Area residents interested in remodeling or improving their homes or building a new home will find all the resources, exhibits and inspiration the area has to offer!
If you will be attending the CT Home Show, please stop by the James Hardie booth (# 512) and speak with the MJT Exteriors staff! Tickets are still available for purchase on the Connecticut Home & Remodeling website. We look forward to providing you with more information on the high-quality James Hardie products we offer!
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