Outdoor & garden guides — HomeGraft

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OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 7 STEPSMake decking less slipperyClean, treat and grip-strip your decking so it stays safe underfoot in wet or icy weather.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSOil hardwood garden furnitureClean, sand and oil hardwood garden furniture to protect it from weather and keep its colour, working in dry, mild conditions.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSPaint a front doorClean, sand, prime and paint your front door in one session, matching primer and paint to wood, metal or uPVC.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 8 STEPSPaint a garage doorClean, mask, prime any bare patches, then paint your garage door in two coats for a lasting finish.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 12 STEPSPaint exterior masonryClean, repair and paint exterior brick or render safely, choosing the right primer and paint for a lasting, weatherproof finish.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 9 STEPSPaint metal railings and gatesClean off rust and old paint, treat bare metal, then apply primer and two topcoats for railings and gates that last.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 12 STEPSPaint outside window sills and framesClean, fill, prime and paint your window sills and frames in one weekend session, working safely on a dry, mild day.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 9 STEPSPlant a new hedgePlan, clear and dig the line, improve the soil, then plant, firm in and water your new hedge for a strong start.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 9 STEPSPlant a tree in your gardenPlant a tree correctly: pick the right spot, dig a proper hole, stake it well, and water generously for healthy establishment.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSPrune a small garden treePrune a small garden tree safely and legally, checking for protection orders and nesting birds before making any cuts.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 12 STEPSPrune an apple or pear tree in winterPrune your apple or pear tree safely in winter, in order, without harming nesting birds or protected trees.

OUTDOOR & GARDENPut up a bird box3 outside surfaces

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSPut up a fence post in concreteDig a hole, add drainage, set the post in quick-setting concrete, then keep it plumb while it cures.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 8 STEPSPut up garden screening on a fenceFix garden screening to a sound fence safely, checking height rules first, then measuring, cutting and securing it firmly.

OUTDOOR & GARDENPut up house numbers or a name plaque3 outside surfaces

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 8 STEPSRe-felt a shed roofStrip the old felt, check the boards, then fit new felt in overlapping layers for a watertight shed roof.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 9 STEPSRe-lay a sunken patio slabLift a sunken patio slab, rebuild its base, then reset and point it so it sits flat and stable.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 11 STEPSRe-point patio slabsRake out old mortar from patio joints, then repoint with fresh mortar or jointing compound for a neat, weatherproof finish.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 7 STEPSRemove a small tree stumpDig out, cut the roots and lever out a small stump safely, checking for tree protection and nesting birds first.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSRepair a broken fence post with a repair spurReplace a snapped, rotten fence post using a metal spur, without digging out the whole fence run.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 6 STEPSRepair a broken slat in a fence panelReplace a broken fence slat by removing the damaged board, cutting a matching new one, treating it, and nailing it back in place.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 9 STEPSRepair a cracked concrete pathFix a cracked concrete path by cleaning, undercutting and filling the crack with mortar, then curing it properly.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSRepair cracked renderRake out, clean and fill a cracked render crack, then match the texture and protect it while it cures.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSReplace a broken block paverLift the broken block paver, clear the old sand, bed in a matching replacement, and re-sand the joints.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 9 STEPSReplace a broken downpipe sectionReplace a damaged downpipe section by removing the broken length, cutting a new piece to size, and refitting it securely to the wall.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 9 STEPSReplace a fence panelRemove the damaged fence panel, check the posts and gravel board, then fit and secure a matching replacement panel.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSReplace a rotten deck boardReplace a single rotten deck board safely, checking for hidden cables first, then refit with rust-proof screws.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSReplace a rotten fence postDig out a rotten fence post safely, set a new one in concrete or a post support, and reattach your panels.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSReplace a rotten shed floorReplace a rotten shed floor by lifting old boards, treating or renewing bearers, and fitting new weatherproof timber panels.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 11 STEPSReplace a section of plastic gutterReplace a damaged gutter section safely from a ladder, matching parts, cutting to size, and sealing joints so rainwater drains properly.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSReplace a shed window with acrylicSwap a cracked or broken shed window for tough acrylic, measuring, cutting and resealing it so rain stays out.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 8 STEPSReplace gate hingesSwap worn or sagging gate hinges for new ones, fixing correctly into timber posts or masonry piers.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSRepoint brickworkRake out old, crumbling mortar and repoint brickwork with the right mix, matching the original joint finish.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 7 STEPSStake a young treeStake a newly planted tree correctly so it stands firm, grows strong roots, and the stake can be removed within two years.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 7 STEPSStop a fence panel rattling in the windFind what's moved on the fence panel, then re-fix or wedge it so it stops rattling.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSStraighten a leaning fence postDig out, straighten and re-set a leaning fence post safely, checking for buried pipes and cables before you dig.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 12 STEPSTake down a small tree yourselfFell a small garden tree safely with hand tools, after checking permissions and nesting birds, then clear up the wood.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 8 STEPSTidy an overgrown gardenClear rubbish, cut back growth safely, check for nesting birds, then tidy edges and beds over a weekend or two.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 11 STEPSTreat a shed with wood preservativeClean, treat and protect a garden shed with wood preservative in one dry afternoon session.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 9 STEPSTreat or paint a fenceClean, repair, and treat your fence with proper preparation for a long-lasting, weatherproof finish.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSTrim a hedge with an electric hedge trimmerTrim a hedge safely with an electric trimmer, checking for protected trees, nesting birds and neighbour boundaries before you start.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSTrim a hedge with hand shearsTrim a garden hedge safely and neatly with hand shears, checking for tree orders, nests and boundaries first.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 8 STEPSUnblock a downpipeClear a blocked downpipe safely by working from both ends with rods and water, checking the gulley first.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 9 STEPSUnblock an outside drainClear a blocked outside drain safely: locate it, lift the cover, rod the blockage, flush it, then know when to call your water company.

OUTDOOR & GARDEN · 10 STEPSWeed and re-sand block pavingClear weeds from block paving joints, then brush in fresh sand to stop regrowth and keep paviours stable.