How to tell when your roof needs repair tree limbs and people walking it. Here are a few common signs of aging shingles: Curling is a common phenomenon in some shingles and is not considered a defect. It is natural for asphalt to age and shrink with time, which may result in a slight curling of the shingle edge. Minor cracks may also appear on the shingles as they age, but industry experts say it is a normal weathering characteristic and not cause for alarm, as long as the cracks do not penetrate through the shingle and the roof is still performing the intended purpose of shedding water. “Minor cracks may not be noticeable from the ground, but people often spot them while hanging their Christmas lights,” said roofing industry expert Rick “the Roofer” Taylor, a longWhat is normal? time roofing contractor It’s natural for a roof now working as a travto age, and the proeling trainer for shingle cess begins as soon as manufacturer TAMKO shingles are exposed to Building Products. “The nature. The sun can raise intense heat from the rooftop temperatures as sun can deplete some high as 50-70 degrees of the protective asphalt above the ambient air oils, and that can cause temperature. Ultraviolet minor cracks.” radiation from the sun Dark brown or black and heat have been streaks down the roof shown to accelerate roof are common in particaging, as have pollution, ularly moist or humid hail, snow, ice, falling areas of the country, and (BPT) – Four out of five homes in the U.S. have asphalt shingles. And it’s easy to see why. The wide variety of available colors and styles, combined with durability and affordability, have made asphalt shingles the leading choice for residential roofing in the country. Like all exterior building products, asphalt shingles start to age as soon as they are exposed to nature. Buildings experience aging factors differently, so it’s difficult to predict how long shingles will last. With storm chasers and insurance adjusters claiming roof damage or defective shingles after major weather events, it’s important for homeowners to arm themselves with information about what type of roof aging is normal, and most importantly, what type is not.
are the result of algae growth on the shingles. While not particularly attractive, these stains should not affect the shingles’ ability to shed water. Some granule loss on the shingles is to be expected, especially if a roof has been recently repaired or replaced, since extra granules are a part of the shingle manufacturing process. Loose granules are usually noticed collecting in roof gutters after the shingles are installed. This type of granule shedding is common and not a cause for concern.
What is cause for concern?
If the blisters are closed and are not affecting the shingles’ performance, While minor curling, surface cracking, closed they are not a cause blisters, algae stains and for concern. But if the some granule loss can all blisters are open, exposing the asphalt, the roof be signs of normal roof is vulnerable to water aging, some more serious roof wear and aging penetration and requires immediate attention. could be indicative of a Buckling, a distortion potential problem, and of the shingles, can be a should be examined and possible sign of inademonitored. quate roof ventilation, These roof issues may issues with the roof deck need attention: or other installation Blisters, or small circular raised areas, are errors and may require often the direct result of attention. Deep cracks that under-ventilated attics or penetrate through the excessive use of plastic fiberglass mat should be cement - both of which investigated, as they may are installation errors.
compromise the roof’s ability to shed water and make it susceptible to leaks. Excessive granule loss that exposes the shingles’ asphalt layer is a reason for concern and requires immediate attention. Armed with this basic information, homeowners should be able to distinguish between natural processes that are no cause for alarm and issues that do require attention and repair. Visit www.tamko.com for more information about roofing repair and replacement.
Prevent growth of mold/mildew in colder months Mold and mildew are not only unsightly, but unhealthy. These fungi grow readily in damp areas and are found in the air breathed both indoors and outside. If left unaddressed, mold and mildew can threaten the health of a home’s inhabitants. Mildew is a type of mold that remains relatively flush with the surface it grows on. Other molds can grow puffy in appearance. Molds serve the purpose of destroying organic materials,
but in high amounts, these microorganisms can cause respiratory problems, sinus congestion, throat irritation, headaches, and other issues, particularly when mold grows unchecked indoors, says Better Homes and Gardens. As a result, it is essential to address mold before it becomes problematic. According to Polygon, a drying technology and temporary climate solutions company, the wet season in winter is when molds often grow and
expand. Mold can break down the integrity and strength of the surfaces where it grows. Homeowners can employ the following strategies to prevent mold growth. • Keep all surfaces clean, using proper cleaning products. Diluted bleach solutions are highly effective at killing microscopic fungi, viruses and bacteria. • Reduce moisture and humidity by ensuring sufficient air circulation in rooms, particularly bathrooms and kitchens. An exhaust fan will help remove moisture quickly.
• Fabrics covered in mildew that can be laundered should be carefully removed and washed in chlorine bleach and hot water. An oxygen bleach product also can be effective. • Invest in a dehumidifier that can reduce moisture in the home in problem areas, such as damp basements or garages. • Fix plumbing leaks as soon as possible. • Remove damp leaves and snow from areas around the foundation of the home. Ensure that gutters and downspouts are
clear of debris and can shuttle water away from the house effectively. • Replace cracked or defective mortar in basements. • Make sure all seals on windows and doors are not compromised and are in good working condition. • Be sure an HVAC in-line humidifier is adjusted to the right setting and isn’t
pumping too much moisture into the heated air; otherwise, the added humidity can contribute to mold. • If there is a flood or water infiltrates a home in other ways, hire a professional service to help clean and dry the home effectively. Mold and mildew are problematic, but with diligence they can be kept at bay.
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Tips for late-summer gardening (BPT) – Summer may be winding down, but a new opportunity to garden is just beginning. Plenty of vegetables and flowers can be grown successfully in late summer and into fall, so it’s a great time to refresh with plants that either thrive in slightly cooler weather or are easy to bring indoors once the temperatures start to drop.
Savor the flavors of fresh grown herbs. With Pesto Party basil from Burpee Plants, you can have your own actual pesto party! Bring the basil indoors when there is danger of frost and keep the plant handy in a sunny spot in the kitchen so you can simply snip off leaves as you’re cooking and entertaining. Just be sure to leave some foliage on the plant so it will continue to grow. If you make a bigger batch of pesto than you can use in one recipe, freeze the leftovers in ice cube trays to pull out and cook when desired.
mild taste and is a rich Enjoy seasonal, source of vitamin C and fresh from the garden vegetables. folic acid because of its Kale Storm from Burpee is not only tasty, but it’s lovely to look at in your garden with its purple, green and blue-tinged leaves. It can be planted either in the ground or also works well in a decorative patio or porch planter for those with limited space. Unlike some plants, colder temperatures enhance and sweeten kale’s flavor, so it can withstand a hard frost or two. Like a bit of variety in your salad? Burpee’s Gourmet Blend offers a long harvest range, and it includes five different types of lettuces in one plant for a truly varied and delicious salad selection. A raised garden bed in a sunny location is the best spot for successfully growing these varieties of lettuce during the fall. A stunning new Brussels sprouts called Redarling has a vivid red hue to offer even more color to your cool-season edible garden. It has a
unique red color. They stand up to cool nights and frost, so they’ll be popular at the dinner table late into the season.
Add color and a festive look to your porch, patio or garden. Available in a variety of autumnal hues, Cool Wave Pansies are a great choice to brighten your outdoor space for the season. Cool Wave’s Sunshine ‘N Wine is a vivid, bold yellow flower with decorative deep burgundy on the petals’ edges, while Raspberry Swirl sports a gorgeous raspberry-colored design. In early fall, plant your favorites in a gourd, like a large pumpkin, to add a fun, festive touch to your front steps, porch or patio. Cool Wave Pansies are easy to maintain and offer long-lasting, colorful blooms to ensure your outdoor space is looking refreshed and vibrant for the season.
To get some colorful perennials thriving in your garden, late summer is a great time to grow flowers like fragrant Lavender, frilly Dianthus or pollinator favorite Echinacea (a native coneflower). Lavender plants can be grown in the garden or large planters and withstand drought well. You can
use the florets in scented DIY projects. Dianthus thrives in sunny locations and can tolerate a light frost. They make excellent cut flowers to enjoy indoors. Echinacea colors range from white and yellow to shades of orange, pink and red. All are great choices if you’re trying to attract bees, song birds and but-
terflies to your yard. Don’t give up on gardening just because summer is coming to a close. There’s plenty of time left to plant and enjoy the most colorful - and delicious - season of the year. For more tips and gardening ideas, visit burpeehomegardens. com and wave-rave.com.
ant school information, make lunches and set out the next day’s clean clothes before it’s too late to throw in an extra load if needed. Check for unfinished homework or upcoming projects that need a little more planning or supplies to get done. If you make this “next day check” into a daily routine, your kids will eventually start doing it without the need to prompt them.
You’ve probably heard that kids need and appreciate structure in their day, but if it’s been tough to set up a routine before, don’t worry each school year provides a new beginning, a fresh start to improve the way everyone gets through the day and takes care of what needs to be done. For appliances that can help make all your daily chores easier, check out lg.com.
3 ways to refresh your household routine at back-to-school time your refrigerator or kitchen wall, to post a large, easy-to-use calendar that uses erasable markers for easy edits. Then, show your kids how to post things like field trips, sports or band practice, appointments and even fun things like birthday parties and holidays. You can also make a spot to post the schoolday schedule, too, so it’s clear when everyone needs to wake up, get dressed, do homework 1. Post a central and all the important calendar tools for a successful day. You may be using For very young mostly digital calendars children, use pictures to to keep track of your represent calendar items work and personal apalong with words for a pointments, but having a great early literacy tool. physical, centrally located Even if you’ve never used calendar in your home is this type of calendar helpful to show what to before, fall is the perfect expect on a daily basis. time to start. It will not only help keep 2. Set a chore everyone organized, but schedule it also allows kids to add items. Whether you use a Find a visible area, like “chore wheel” or just (BPT) – Each year as summer ends, teachers, parents and students alike all begin their backto-school preparations. Fall is a great time to start fresh, establish new and better routines, and to set family schedules that fit both your needs and the needs of your growing kids. Below are 3 tips to help get your family geared up for a successful school year.
assign chores to each family member, if a chore schedule is clear and in writing, everyone is more likely to follow it. While chores can be assigned to anyone in the home, just remember to find age-appropriate tasks and make sure to demonstrate how to complete them correctly. Most kids are able to do some household chores at any age, even if it’s just tidying up their room, feeding a pet or helping out with laundry. While manual chores like washing dishes most immediately come to mind, having the right appliances to complete some tasks are essential. For example, LG Electronics offers front load washer models with TurboWash 360 Technology, which uses five powerful jets that help detergent penetrate deep into fabrics for a complete clean in under 30 minutes. This
makes laundry a much easier task, especially if your kids have sports uniforms with grass and dirt stains that need to be cleaned quickly for the next day’s game or practice. These units are also compatible with the LG SideKick pedestal washer that can wash smaller loads at the same time or independently. For even more convenience, if you need to check on laundry or get it started while on the go, you can use the LG SmartThinQ mobile app to start up a load, check on laundry status or be notified when clothes are clean.
3. Plan for each day the night before Set aside time right after dinner to plan ahead for the next day. This may seem like a tough task to carve out time for, but it helps save time down the line. Have kids check for permission slips or other import-
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