Yard & Exterior – First House Fixes

DIY Gutter Guards on the Back Run Instead of a $3,900 Quote

Posted on September 27, 2026In Yard & Exterior

The maple side fills twice every fall. $168 of stainless mesh guards on 52 feet of gutter, against a $3,900 whole-house quote. How it went.

Posted on September 5, 2026In Yard & Exterior

A rented core aerator, 10 pounds of seed and a sprinkler on a timer. Fixing our thin, plow-scraped front lawn in late August for $167.

Posted on August 5, 2026In Yard & Exterior

Freeze and thaw turn small driveway cracks into potholes. A $68 afternoon with crack filler and a squeegee on our 70-foot asphalt drive.

Posted on July 8, 2026In Yard & Exterior

Peeling trim, a sun-faded front door and three early-summer weekends. Prep, paint and the $420 we spent instead of hiring the whole job out.

Posted on June 13, 2026In Yard & Exterior

A 12-by-20 garage, one June weekend and three of us. Tear-off, ice and water shield, shingles and a Bagster, for $1,315 instead of $3,400.

Posted on May 21, 2026In Yard & Exterior

Moose figured out the gate latch in about a week. The $34 fix that finally stopped him, after two that didn't, and an apology to the neighbors.

Posted on April 24, 2026In Yard & Exterior

Plow damage on the lawn edge, salt-burned grass, a cracked downspout elbow and maple twigs everywhere. Our first spring cleanup weekend.

Posted on February 19, 2026In Yard & Exterior

A $59 telescoping roof rake, the first few feet of roof and a firm rule about when to stop. How we keep snow off the eaves without climbing up.

Posted on January 10, 2026In Yard & Exterior

Lake-effect bands, a 70-foot driveway and a city plow that refills the end every time. Our routine with the snowblower, shovels and ice melt.

Posted on November 11, 2025In Yard & Exterior

Our maple drops its leaves over three weeks, so one gutter cleaning never does it. My ladder setup, the scoop I use and the plan for next fall.