Most exterior home maintenance tasks do not need a contractor, special tools or a whole weekend. If you have a free afternoon at home, a short list of small jobs will keep your house looking cared for and help you catch problems while they are still cheap to fix. Here are the ones worth putting at the top of your list.
Exterior Home Maintenance Tasks for a Free Afternoon
Mow the Lawn and Trim the Hedges
A cut lawn and neat hedges do more for curb appeal than almost anything else you can do in an hour. Trimming matters for the house itself too. Overgrown bushes and tree branches that rub against the walls can scratch and damage siding, so cut them back until there is a clear gap.
Replace Burned-Out Outdoor Bulbs
It is easy to ignore one dead bulb when the others still give enough light. Walk around at dusk and check the porch light, garage lights, post lamp and any fixtures along the walkway. Good lighting at the door and on the steps makes the house safer for you and your guests.
Tighten Loose Doors and Hardware
A door that rattles, drags or will not latch usually needs nothing more than a screwdriver. Tighten the hinge screws, the strike plate and the handle. Do the same for the storm door closer and the latch on the gate.
If tightening does not help because the door itself is warped, dented or no longer seals, it may be time to look at new storm doors or a replacement entry door.
Test Your Railings
Grab each railing on your steps, porch and deck and give it a firm shake. Tighten any loose fasteners you can reach. A railing that still wobbles, or one that has rusted through at the base, is not something to put off. Have it replaced with solid aluminum or wrought iron railings before someone leans on it.
Wash Windows and Check for Drafts
Clean glass brightens the whole house. While you are washing, look at each window closely. Check for cracked caulk, soft wood, fogging between the panes and sashes that stick. Make a note of any that need attention before winter.
Rinse Off Awnings and Outdoor Furniture
Brush leaves and loose dirt off awning fabric and patio furniture, then rinse with a garden hose. Look over the fabric and the frame for wear while you are there.
Small Indoor Fixes While You Are at It
If the weather turns, the same approach works inside. Few things are more annoying than a faucet that drips all day, and if you know your way around basic plumbing, it is often a quick repair.
A wobbly table is another one. A folded sugar packet under the leg only works for so long. Flip the table over, tighten or level the legs, and fix it for good.
Know When a Task Is Too Big to Do Yourself
Even if you are not especially handy, there is plenty on this list you can do. The value of these small jobs is that they put your eyes on every part of the house. Some of what you find will be beyond a screwdriver and a hose: windows that will not seal, a door that has warped, a railing pulling out of the concrete.
Write those down and deal with them before they get worse. Problems on the outside of a house rarely fix themselves.
Found Something That Needs a Pro?
Aladdin Inc is a family-owned exterior contractor in Wallingford that replaces windows, doors and railings and installs awnings across Connecticut. If your afternoon of maintenance turned up a bigger job, call (203) 776-9996 or tell us about it here.