Exterior Maintenance Guides
The outside of your home takes the brunt of weather, wildlife, and time. Guides for gutters, doors, decks, and the yearly maintenance that prevents the five-figure repair bills.
How to Aerate Your Lawn
Aerate your lawn once a year to break up compacted soil and promote deeper root growth. The job takes about an hour with a core aerator you can rent or buy.
How to Apply a Perimeter Insect Barrier
Apply a perimeter insect barrier in about 20 minutes to keep ants, spiders, roaches, and other crawling insects from entering your home. Spray once in spring and reapply after heavy rain.
How to Change Push Mower Oil and Tune Up Your Mower
A spring tune-up keeps your push mower starting on the first pull and cutting cleanly all season. An oil change, new air filter, and spark plug take about 30 minutes.
How to Change Riding Mower Oil and Service Your Mower
Service your riding mower every spring to keep the engine running clean and extend the life of a $2,000-$5,000 machine. An oil change, new spark plug, and fuel stabilizer take about 45 minutes.
How to Clean and Repair Window Screens
Clean and inspect window screens in about 30 minutes twice a year. Vacuum, wash with soapy water, check for tears, and patch small holes to keep bugs out and airflow strong.
How to Clean Exterior Grout
Clean and inspect exterior grout on patios, walkways, and stone facades in about 45 minutes. Scrub with grout cleaner, rinse, and note any cracked or missing sections that need repair.
How to Clean House Siding
Clean your house siding in about an hour with a garden hose, soft brush, and cleaning solution. Do it once a year in spring to prevent mold growth, extend siding life, and keep curb appeal high.
How to Clean Your Gutters
Clean your gutters in about 30 minutes with a ladder and garden hose. Do it twice a year to prevent water damage to your roof, walls, and foundation.
How to Clean Your Home's Windows
Clean your home's windows streak-free in about an hour with a squeegee and soapy water. Do it twice a year to maintain curb appeal, catch seal failures early, and let more light in.
How to Fertilize Your Lawn
Fertilize your lawn in about 30 minutes with a broadcast spreader and granular fertilizer. Do it four times a year to keep grass thick, green, and resistant to weeds and drought.
How to Inspect and Recaulk the Exterior of Your House
Walk the perimeter of your home and recaulk any failed joints in about an hour. A single tube of exterior caulk costs under $10 and prevents water damage that costs hundreds to repair.
How to Inspect Window Seals and Caulking
Inspect the caulk and weatherstripping around every window in about 20 minutes. Catching failed seals early prevents water damage and keeps heating and cooling costs down.
How to Install Window Insulation Film
Install shrink-fit window insulation film in about 30 minutes per window. The trapped air pocket cuts heat loss through glass by up to 50 percent, and a 5-pack kit covers most rooms for under $25.
How to Lubricate Garage Door Hinges
Lubricate garage door hinges, rollers, and springs in 15 minutes to eliminate squeaks and prevent wear. Use silicone or lithium-based spray, never WD-40.
How to Maintain a Chainsaw
Maintain your chainsaw before each use season to keep it cutting safely and efficiently. Chain sharpening, tension adjustment, bar oil, and air filter cleaning take about 30 minutes.
How to Maintain a Pressure Washer
Maintain your pressure washer every spring before the first use to prevent pump failure and extend the life of the machine. Checking both engine oil and pump oil, plus the inlet filter, takes about 20 minutes.
How to Maintain a Snow Blower
Service your snow blower every fall before snow season to prevent mid-storm breakdowns. An oil change, spark plug, shear pin check, and lubrication take about 30 minutes.
How to Overseed Your Lawn
Overseed your lawn in about 45 minutes with a broadcast spreader and quality grass seed. Do it once a year to fill thin spots, thicken turf, and crowd out weeds before they take hold.
How to Power Wash Your Patio
Power wash your patio in about an hour with a pressure washer and a 25-degree nozzle. Do it once a year in spring to remove dirt, algae, and stains before they cause permanent discoloration.
How to Recaulk Door Frames
Recaulk exterior door frames in about 30 minutes to block drafts, water, and pests. Remove old caulk, clean the joint, and apply a fresh bead of flexible sealant around the frame.
How to Recaulk Garage Trim
Recaulk the trim around your garage door and windows in about 30 minutes to prevent water damage, wood rot, and pest entry. Remove old caulk, clean all joints, and apply fresh sealant.
How to Recaulk Window Frames
Recaulk window frames in under an hour to stop water intrusion, air leaks, and pest entry. Remove old caulk, clean the gap, and apply a fresh bead of exterior-grade sealant.
How to Refresh Mulch in Your Garden Beds
Refresh your garden bed mulch in about an hour with a rake and a few bags of mulch. Do it once a year in spring to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and protect plant roots.
How to Repaint Exterior Trim
Repaint exterior trim every 5 to 7 years to protect the wood from moisture and UV damage. Prep work is the majority of the job — scraping, sanding, filling, and priming bare spots before two coats of semi-gloss paint.
How to Repaint House Siding
Repaint your house siding over a full day or weekend. Pressure wash, scrape, sand, prime bare spots, and apply two coats of quality exterior paint for a finish that lasts 7 to 10 years.
How to Replace a Bottom Window Seal
Replace a worn bottom window seal in about 15 minutes per window. A new compression or bulb seal costs under $12 and stops cold drafts coming in under the sash.
How to Replace a Chainsaw Chain
Replace your chainsaw chain when sharpening no longer restores cutting performance. Matching the correct chain specs and installing it with proper tension takes about 15 minutes.
How to Replace a Garage Door Bottom Seal
Replace the bottom seal on your garage door in about 30 minutes. A new seal costs $15-$30 and keeps out water, pests, cold air, and debris.
How to Replace a Push Mower Blade
Replace your push mower blade when sharpening no longer restores a clean cut. A fresh blade makes the difference between a lawn that looks healthy and one that turns brown after every mow. The job takes about 20 minutes.
How to Replace Door Weatherstripping
Replace the weatherstripping on an exterior door in about 30 minutes. A complete door seal kit costs $10-$20 and stops the biggest draft source in most homes.
How to Replace Riding Mower Blades
Replace your riding mower blades when they are dull, nicked, or bent. Sharp blades cut grass cleanly, which keeps your lawn healthy and green. The job takes about 30 minutes.
How to Replace Weedwhacker Line
Replace the trimmer line on your weedwhacker when it runs out or breaks. Winding new line onto the spool correctly takes about 10 minutes and saves you the cost of pre-wound replacement spools.
How to Replace Window Weatherstripping
Replace worn weatherstripping on a window in about 20 minutes per window. V-seal strips cost under $10 for a 17-foot roll and stop drafts immediately.
How to Reseal Your Deck
Reseal your deck every 2-3 years to prevent UV damage, wood rot, and splinters. Clean the surface, let it dry fully, and apply a deck stain and sealer with a pad applicator for even coverage.
How to Seal Your Driveway
Seal your asphalt driveway in about two hours with a bucket of sealcoat and a squeegee. Done every two to three years, sealing prevents cracks, UV damage, and water penetration that shorten your driveway's life.
How to Winterize a Chainsaw
Winterize your chainsaw after the last use of the season to prevent fuel system damage and chain rust. Fuel stabilizer, a quick cleaning, and proper chain storage take about 15 minutes.
How to Winterize a Riding Mower
Winterize your riding mower every fall to prevent spring no-starts and expensive carburetor repairs. Fuel stabilizer, an oil change, and battery storage take about 30 minutes.