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After taking a beating from the elements, and having worn from time, porch railings have been known to become wobbly.  This is a safety hazard, to say the least, but it’s also very unattractive. Railings that are loose can damage the steps to which they’re attached.  This can only mean a higher cost for repairs that are made, in order to ensure that the steps are safe. 

If your railing is a bit loose, have a good look at it.  Many times all that is required is a tightening of bolts, and the railing is as good as new. The majority of porch railings are attached with lag bolts; these are large screws with a head that looks like a bolt. Should these become loose, all you need is an adjustable wrench to tighten them            

At times, if the railings have been screwed into the brick of your home, the sheath may have broken or worn down.  If this happens to your railing, you need to replace the sheath.  Don’t worry; this is neither expensive nor costly.  You can buy them at any hardware store. When you remove the screws and sheaths to replace them, the railing will come off, so be sure you’re ready to support it and then put it somewhere.  You’ll need a screwdriver and about twenty minutes to accomplish this task. 

If you are extremely challenged in the home-repair department, or if you simply don’t have a moment to spare, you can always hire a professional to do the job.  They’ll cost anywhere from $40 to $100 per hour to do the job.

Shutters can be a charming touch to any home.  When they’re well maintained and in good shape, they can add a warm, comforting touch to brick, stone, or just about any other finish. However, if they’re not well maintained, and are in bad shape, they are one of the fastest ways to make your home appear to be neglected; especially to prospective buyers.

Fortunately, they don’t take a lot of skill or time to repair if they’re looking a little bit rough.  When it comes to the majority of shutters, a quick sanding and one or two coats of exterior house paint can make your shutters look as good as if they were new. Though it might take a little bit of extra time, it’s wise to remove the shutters from the house before you start sanding and painting them.  You can make an excellent work table out of an old plank or door set up on two sawhorses. 

Clean the shutters of any dirt with a clean rag, then give them a light sanding.  Wipe them again, to remove the dust from sanding.  Now they’re ready to be painted. You can either spray paint them, or brush on the paint; either will give a nice end result.  They will need either one or two coats, depending on your preference, and the appearance you want to attain.  Make sure that they’ve been allowed to dry fully before you reattach them to your home.

A large number of houses are made out of brick, with small amounts of wooden trim.  These wooden touches are usually located on porches and small areas on the ends of your home. As time passes, these wood places have a tendency to become worn, with cracked and dull looking paint. Give your wooden accents a touch up of paint and the entire exterior of your home will have a fresh new look. 

Beyond the wooden points, have a look at the paint on the downspout, gutters, and anywhere else that has paint.  None of these should be cracked, faded or peeling.  If they are: repaint.