Exterior Skills

Vinyl siding will pop and crackle with every change of sunlight and temperature if nailed incorrectly. Here's how to fix the problem if you…

New storm doors are easier to install, with plenty of standard sizes to fit almost any entryway—but there are still tricky spots. Follow…

Create stronger, better-looking gutters by modifying standard gutter systems. Minimize joints; assemble strong, sleek-looking seams; and add…

Without gutters, rain and snow melt can flood steps, entryways and sidewalks. A rain diverter solves the problem without the expense of…

Cracking or spalling in bricks may occur when the wrong type of mortar is used. There are no easy solutions; you may need to either replace all…

Cracked or broken vinyl siding is no reason for despair. A simple $5 tool gets the job done in 15-minutes. This article also includes some…

Metal gutters with twists and turns can get noisy when water drips down and splashes against the elbows, but there's a surprisingly simple fix…

Wrap the soffits and fascias on your home with prefinished aluminum and you'll never have to scrape, prime or paint those roof edges again. New…

Gas or electric pressure washers will clean almost anything outdoors, and they work so quickly and dramatically that they're actually fun. Learn…

Ladder stabilizers mount on extension ladders, and are essential for working around windows, eaves and high walls when painting, siding or doing…

Learn how to clean, reset and tuckpoint loose bricks. A loose brick can ultimately lead to major problems – even a wall collapse – but the fix…

Continuous flashing is sometimes seen where a roof meets a sidewall, but in the long run step flashing will do a better job of preventing water…

The correct installation sequence for drip edge, roofing felt and ice and water shield can be confusing, since it changes from eaves to gable…

Nail holes in aluminum and vinyl siding are tough to repair without replacing the entire piece, but a squirt of color-matched caulk from a…

Black streaks on shingled roofs are a common, though mysterious sight. While not immediately damaging, they can prematurely age shingles. Here’s…

Deck seen too many summers? Give it a new lease on life for less than $300. We'll show you how to clean and renew your deck like a pro in…

Hidden water leaks caused by improper cable and phone line penetrations through the siding can cause rot and mold. Here's the right way to run…

This traditional, time-tested flashing method guarantees a leakproof fix. Follow this step-by-step process and you can fix the leak and save…

Epoxy is the perfect material to make permanent repairs of rotting window sills, door jambs and exterior molding that are difficult to remove…

Don't be intimated by vinyl siding. We'll show you how to install it and make repairs. You can save a lot of money by handling a vinyl…