Quick Fixes Outside Your House
Summer is a great time to take on those simple jobs that need doing around the outside of your house.
The Early Show's resident home improvement guru, Danny Lipford, who hosts "Today's Homeowner," stopped by to show how to tackle those tasks.
He swears none of them is really that hard!
Lubricate Locks and Hinges
Almost every house has at least one lock, usually on an outside door, that just doesn't work as smoothly as it used to. You may also find your gate and other hinges will benefit from the application of the right lubricant.
The most widely recommended lubricant is graphite, which comes in tubes with long nozzles, for ease of application. Another handy tip to ease the operation of a stubborn or sticky lock is to rub the edges of its key with a soft lead pencil; that transfers the graphite onto the key. It's not recommended that you use lubricating oil, which can make a lock even dirtier and more difficult to operate over time. Lipford says you should use grease instead of graphite on a gate hinge, because it's more resistant to water.
Removing Oil Stains from Concrete
Sooner or later, almost all vehicles leak something. It might be transmission fluid, power steering fluid, or oil. If you catch these leaks in time, there are ways to remove the stain. One is to sprinkle a fine cat litter over it. Then, rub it into the surface, using a broom. Allow it to soak up the stain for a while. Then, sweep and apply another layer. Let this layer sit for a day or so. Then, clean the stain with a soap and water solution. This will eliminate most fresh stains and may even help with some of older ones.Minor Wood Repair Trick
Replacement isn't always necessary when you find minor damage to the wood on the exterior of your home, whether it's a result of wood rot or other elements. Repairing that damage, when it's not a structural element of the home, can be done very quickly, easily, and inexpensively. This is possible by using a product that has been widely used in the automotive body repair business for many years, called auto body filler. It's a two part-process involving the filler and hardener.
Start by removing any of the badly damaged wood. Then, mix the two components, per instructions, and apply the putty-like substance to the damaged area. Next, use a plastic putty knife to fill and shape the wood back to its original shape. Sometimes, a second coat is necessary to adequately fill the space. It dries very quickly and can be sanded and painted in less than an hour, and the area will look as good as new.
Improving the appearance of concrete
Small cracks or damaged surfaces of concrete patios, sidewalks, or driveways can be improved drastically by simply resurfacing the areas. This starts with thoroughly cleaning the surface and allowing time for it to dry. Then, mix a concrete resurface powder with water to a consistency similar to pancake batter. Apply a thin coat over the surface of the concrete using the same finishing trowel used in pouring new concrete.
For a non-skid surface, sweep the damp resurface material with a broom. This will create a rougher surface, creating more friction. It dries to the point it can be walked on in only four hours and is ready for heavy traffic after 24 hours.