Exterior

Snapping a two-end chalk line so finish fascia installs dead straight over imperfect framing.

Leaving the siding joint over head flashing uncaulked — it's the drainage exit for water that gets behind the siding.

A half-inch shim under exterior doors at install that buys rug clearance inside after the finished floor goes in.

Placing shingle nails so the water channeling down every butt joint above never crosses a nail hole.

Offset blocks, a string line, and a gauge scrap that pull a long fascia run dead straight when there are no rafter tails to cut to a line.

Washing window screens without leaving the soap residue that attracts dirt right back.

Aiming the blower up the wall so the backdraft pushes debris away from doorways and cracks instead of into them.

The flashing at the bottom of a roof-to-sidewall run that diverts runoff into the gutter instead of down the siding.

Coring out a snapped or seized screw with a plug cutter and plugging the hole for a fresh anchor.

Slipping a flashing piece behind each siding butt joint instead of relying on caulk.

Pitching a rough sill with a back dam so water that gets past the window drains out instead of soaking the framing.

A right-sized nozzle cut, whittled tooling sticks, soapy water, and one confident pass — the four parts of a clean silicone bead.

Getting a screw to bite again after its hole in wood has worn oversize.

Cleaning the outdoor AC or heat-pump unit before the season.

Keeping a wet edge so sprayed paint doesn't show lap lines later.