Buzz
With the warmer, drier months of spring finally here, it's the ideal time to take care of those outdoor repairs you've been putting off. Here are seven simple repairs you can do yourself, no prior experience needed.
We've previously covered DIY home electrical and plumbing projects, and now it's time to turn our attention to outdoor fixes. These projects mainly involve tasks like patching driveway cracks and potholes, fixing faucets and hoses, and restoring rusty wrought iron. Most of these are beginner-friendly jobs that are easy to tackle and can save you quite a bit of money.
Step One: Assess What You Can Handle and When to Seek Help
Many of these repairs are simple and don’t require advanced skills—just a basic understanding of common tools. However, it's important to ensure you're comfortable with the steps involved before starting. If you feel uncertain, don't hesitate to seek assistance. We’ve provided some helpful videos, but you might also find others that are more tailored to your specific needs.
If you have any questions about specific parts or materials, the staff at your local hardware store are a great resource. Come prepared with details about your project and, if possible, bring pictures. They’ll help steer you in the right direction. And, if at any point you feel overwhelmed, it's a good idea to pause before things go awry and consider calling a professional.
How to Replace an Outdoor Light Fixture
Changing out an outdoor light fixture is a straightforward job. While light fixtures vary in design, the wiring and attachment method are typically consistent, whether the fixture is mounted on a wall or ceiling. Before starting, ensure that you’ve turned off the power to the fixture at the breaker—turning off the switch alone isn’t enough.
As demonstrated in the video above from iScaper1, start by removing the old fixture, which is usually held in place by two long screws attached to a mounting bracket. Once those are undone, the fixture should come off easily. You’ll notice three wires: white (neutral), black (power), and green or bare (ground) connected to the wires from the electrical box using twist-on wire connectors (commonly known as wire nuts). Unscrew the nuts, and the wires should disconnect effortlessly.
Installing the new fixture may require some extra effort as you’ll need to hold it in position while reconnecting the wires. If the fixture is too heavy or unwieldy, place it on top of a ladder or ask a friend to assist you while you make the connections. Connect the wires in the same manner as the old fixture. The new fixture should include a diagram to guide you. Once the wires are connected using the wire nuts, secure them further with electrical tape around the wing nuts and wires. This added security can prevent the wires from coming loose when you push them back into the electrical box and mount the new fixture.
Tools and materials you'll need:
Screwdriver (either Phillips or flat)
Needle-nose pliers
Wire nuts (plastic connectors typically included with the new fixture, or you can reuse the ones already installed)
Electrical tape (optional, to help secure the wires and prevent the wire nuts from loosening)
The new light fixture
Fixing Landscape Lights
Landscape lights are an excellent way to highlight a dark yard. We're mainly discussing wired lights, though these tips might still apply to solar lights. The easiest issue to fix is when a landscape light won’t stay upright. The solution is usually as simple as purchasing a larger ground stake to attach to the light. Many lights have a standard thread size, so swapping out stakes is straightforward. However, it’s a good idea to bring the old stake (or the light itself) to the store when purchasing replacements.
Another common issue is when a landscape light won’t turn on. There are several possible reasons for this:
The bulb is burned out. If only one light isn’t working, the most straightforward first step is to check if the bulb has burned out. Changing a landscape light bulb is just like changing one in your home. Just be sure to purchase a replacement bulb that matches the wattage, voltage, and size of the one you’re replacing.
The connection between the electrical source wire and the light is faulty. An underground cable runs from your home to each light, with power and neutral leads connecting each one. These connections may use simple wire connectors or wire nuts. After turning off the power, inspect whether the connections are loose or if moisture has infiltrated them. As demonstrated in the video above from ehowhome, both of these issues are easily fixed.
The main cable or source is damaged. If none of the lights in a particular run are turning on, it’s likely that the main cable has been damaged or there’s an issue with the switch controlling the lights. These problems are a bit trickier, as they involve either digging up and replacing the cable or replacing the switch (or timer or other mechanism that turns the lights on).
Essential tools and materials:
Shovel (if you need to dig out the stake)
Screwdriver (Phillips or flat, depending on the light)
Needle-nose pliers (if the issue lies with a wire connection)
Wire nuts (if the issue is with a wire connection)
Replacement light bulbs (if the bulb is burnt out)
Fixing a Leaky Outdoor Faucet
Fixing a leaky outdoor faucet is typically an easy task. Leaks generally occur at the handle or the spout. If the leak is from the handle, try tightening the packing nut behind the handle using a wrench. If this doesn’t stop the leak, or if the leak is from the faucet itself, you’ll need to take the handle apart. Be sure to turn off the water supply before doing this. If you’re not sure how to turn off the water, refer to the section 'Turn the Water Supply Off' in our article on home plumbing projects.
As demonstrated in the video above from A4WE, the disassembly process is quite simple. Start by removing the handle, unscrewing the packing nut, and pulling out the valve stem assembly. Most likely, you'll just need to replace the washers, as they are the usual culprits when things go wrong. You’ll easily notice if they’re worn out or cracked. Even if you do need to replace the entire assembly, it’s an inexpensive fix. Just bring the old one with you to the hardware store to ensure you're getting the correct replacement.
Required tools and materials:
Phillips screwdriver
Crescent wrench or any adjustable wrench
Replacement washers or a new valve stem assembly
Fixing a Leaky Garden Hose
When troubleshooting a leaking garden hose, the issue usually comes down to one of two things. If the leak is occurring where the hose connects to a sprayer or another hose, you’ll likely just need to replace the washer inside that connection, as shown in the video above from Your Own Victory Garden. Simply remove the old washer and take it with you to find a matching replacement. Alternatively, you can purchase a pack of replacement washers, which are very affordable.
If your hose is leaking because of a tear or cut, you'll need to patch it up. For smaller breaks, duct tape can do the trick. For larger tears, you’ll need to cut out the damaged section and join the two clean ends with a hose mender insert and secure them with two hose clamps. If the hose end is leaking or damaged, simply cut off the affected end and clamp on a replacement. These fixes are far cheaper than buying a brand-new hose, and it’s a good idea to keep these parts in your workshop for future repairs.
Tools/materials you’ll need:
Cutters or shears to cleanly cut hose sections
Hose mender insert (for repairing a break)
Hose clamps (for repairing breaks or hose ends)
Replacement washers
Fixing a Pothole in Your Asphalt Driveway
Potholes are a common issue with asphalt driveways. They form when moisture seeps into the ground beneath the asphalt and from the stress caused by the weight of vehicles. To repair the pothole, first remove any loose debris, pressure wash the area, and sweep away any water. You can purchase asphalt patching compound either in a dry form that you mix yourself, or as a pre-mixed, ready-to-use version, as shown in the video above from FIX IT Home Improvement Channel.
Once you've filled the hole with the compound, spread it evenly and press it down firmly. The video even suggests using plywood over the patch and driving your car over it to tamp it down. After tamping, apply some crack repair sealant along the edges of the patch. The repair should be dry enough to use in a day or two, though it may take a couple of weeks to fully cure and be ready for driving over.
Tools/materials you’ll need:
Pressure washer
Asphalt pothole patching compound
Crack repair sealant
Tamping device or plywood
Fixing a Crack in Your Concrete Driveway
Repairing a crack in your concrete driveway is simpler than you might think. As the video above from Just Az.com Productions demonstrates, start by using a trowel, chisel, or another small tool to remove any debris from the crack. Then, use an air compressor or vacuum to eliminate the finer particles that your tool couldn’t remove.
After clearing out the debris, you'll use a caulking gun to apply sealant into the crack. For horizontal sections of the driveway, opt for self-leveling caulk, while for sloped areas, use standard caulk. Once the caulk is applied, use a putty knife to spread it evenly into the crack. You may need to add more caulk and smooth it out again to ensure full coverage. Allow the repair to dry for several hours, and your driveway will be as good as new.
Tools/materials you’ll need:
Caulking sealant (self-leveling for horizontal cracks or standard for sloped ones)
Caulking gun
Gloves
Trowel, chisel, or other small tool for removing debris
Air compressor or vacuum to clear fine debris
Putty knife to smooth out the caulk
Restoring and Repainting Wrought Iron Fences, Railings, or Furniture
Wrought iron fences, railings, and furniture can develop rust and flakes over time, resulting in an unsightly appearance. However, unless the rust has completely eaten through the metal, you can repaint wrought iron on your own with minimal effort.
Begin by preparing the surface for painting, as shown in the video above from WeekendWorkbench. Use a drill with a wire brush attachment or a manual wire brush to scrub away the rust from the wrought iron. It's not necessary to remove every trace of rust, but you should aim to eliminate the majority of it, along with old paint, to allow for proper priming and repainting. After brushing, follow up with sanding sponges and then wipe down the surface with lint-free paper towels to remove any lingering dust or debris.
Once you've finished prepping the surface, it's time to apply a primer. Use a brush or roller to apply a red metal primer, which is specifically designed for priming metals like iron. Allow the primer to dry completely before painting over it with a high-quality wrought iron paint, made for outdoor metal use. After this, your wrought iron will be well-protected and ready to withstand the elements for years to come.
Tools/materials you’ll need:
Gloves
Breathing mask
Drop cloth or tarp to collect debris
Sanding sponges
Stiff bristle brush
Optional: Power drill with wire brush attachment
Lint-free paper towels
Steel wool
Lead image by VoodooDot and Johannes Kornelius.
