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We’re kicking off our 4 Seasons of Home Ownership with a fun family and some springtime chores. Homeowners Stuart and Sharla Brink get a crash course in basic home maintenance, from clearing debris away from the AC condenser unit (check out some quick air conditioner care tips) to repairing torn window screens to cleaning the dryer vent.

The list for each season includes 10 “must do” items, as well as some additional projects to tackle as time and budget allow or if you want to take on something extra.

Check out the 4 Seasons of Home Ownership for more info and visit the spring page to download the complete checklist and interactive infographic.

Allen Lyle and Stuart Brink install a rain diverter on the roof.
Allen Lyle and Stuart Brink install a rain diverter on the roof.

Installing a Rain Diverter

After cleaning out the gutters and clogged downspouts, we installed a rain diverter on the roof to keep front-door visitors dry.

First we spray painted the piece of metal flashing that would be used as the diverter, so it would blend in with the roof. Then we pried up the shingle tabs and slipped the diverter underneath. We tacked it down with a few roofing nails and resealed the shingles on top with some roofing cement.

Watch How to Install a Rain Diverter for more info.

Danny Lipford and Allen Lyle ensure the new fence post is level.
Danny Lipford and Allen Lyle ensure the new fence post is level.

Repairing a Leaning Fence

To repair the leaning fence, we first replaced the rotten boards on the section of fence next to the house. We used several weathered boards that we took from the back corner of the yard, because installing the bright new boards would be less obvious back there than on the front of the house.

Next, we removed the old, rotten posts by cutting the nails holding them in place and digging up the concrete. Then we set and leveled the new posts in place of the old. We used fast-setting concrete from Quikrete for two reasons: we could mix it right in the hole, and because it sets in less than an hour we could begin re-attaching the rest of the fence almost immediately.

Watch Repairing a Wooden Fence for more info.

Danny Lipford pours the concrete around the new post.
Danny Lipford pours the concrete around the new post.

Pressure Washing the Patio

After finishing up the 10 “must do” items, we got to work on some of the additional tasks that made a big impact on the curb appeal of their home, including pressure washing the front stoop and patio. We used the Generac One Wash Unit, which has an on-board tank that made it easy to apply the cleaning solution.

When pressure washing, it’s important to use the correct spray nozzle tip. The difference is the fan of the spray, measured in degrees: the 60-degree black tip is for applying the soap, and the 25-degree green tip is for cleaning most surfaces. The red tip is the most powerful – and dangerous – as it delivers a straight stream of water and can damage many surfaces.

Watch Tips for Cleaning Your Home with a Pressure Washer for more info.

The Brinks' front porch got a power washing, carriage lights, and a few plants to add some color.
The Brinks’ front patio got a power washing, new lighting, and plants to add color.

Other Tips from This Episode

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Simple Solutions with Joe Truini:
Using Muffin Tins in the Garden

Use muffin tin as a planting guide in your garden. Press the bottom of the pan into the soil to get 12 indentations that are perfectly spaced and all at the exact same depth. Then plant your seeds and cover with soil. Watch the video.

 
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Best New Products with Jodi Marks:
Gardening Organically With Nature’s Care

Growing organically has gotten easier with Nature’s Care by Miracle-Gro. They have a whole line of organic gardening products, including potting soil, fertilizer and pest control. It is available at The Home Depot. Watch the video.

 
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Ask Danny Lipford:
Ideal Temperature for Painting Outdoors

As people ready their homes for spring they often want to know how warm it needs to be to paint outside. What the thermometer says when you apply the paint matters, but what the temperature does over the next 24 to 48 hours is just as important. Watch the video.

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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