Spring Home Repairs: A Guide

Now that the weather is getting more pleasant and people are spending more time outdoors, they may notice a few things on the outside of their homes that need to be repaired.

Danny Lipford, host of Today's Homeowner, offers advice on what to look for and how to do some of the repairs that may wind up on your "to-do" list.

Gutter/Downspout Repairs
In many parts of the country, April and May can be one of the rainiest times of year. An important element for many homes is the gutting and downspouts that attach to eaves. The best thing you can do to keep your gutters functioning well is to keep them clean and free of debris. They also need to be checked for any loose spikes or leaks. On The Early Show Thursday, Lipford demonstrates how to make minor repairs on gutters. He uses a small model of a house in the demo.

Garden Hose Repairs
A good garden hose can be expensive. So instead of discarding one that may have sprung a leak, repair it with one of the simple kits available at home stores. These kits have prices that are very reasonable, and the repairs take only minutes. Lipford shows how these repairs are made.

Wood Repair
Many times, a small amount of water damage on the outside of the home can be repaired by filling the area with an epoxy patch, rather than replacing the damaged area. Lipford shows how a damaged shutter can be repaired using a two-part epoxy home repair kit that dries harder than the wood itself, in less than 10 minutes. He says this is great for repairing non-structural components of the home such as column trim, window sashes, and fascia boards.

Repairing Concrete Cracks
Cracks in sidewalks, patios or driveways can enable water to penetrate under the concrete and cause settling. Often, older concrete surfaces can have minor cracks and discoloration. Lipford demonstrates an easy way to repair concrete cracks and apply resurfacers.

LIPFORD'S SPRING HOME REPAIR CHECKLIST