Boost Your Curb Appeal

Whether you want to refresh your home’s curb appeal to sell it or simply make it the marvel of your block, first impressions matter. With a few quick fixes and cosmetic changes, you can easily make your home’s exterior more attractive and inviting—even if you’re not planning to put up a “For Sale” sign.

Visit your local True Value hardware store for the tools, products, and expert advice you need to get started.

Clean

Walk around your home and yard. What are your first impressions? Cleaning your exterior is step one. Start with gutters, which often collect leaves, mud, and debris that can stain siding. Use a handheld blower, wet/dry vacuum, or gutter scoop to remove buildup. Consider ladder stabilizers for safer work. Inspect gutters for corrosion, leaks, or damaged hangers while cleaning.

Wash siding using a pressure washer or brush with mild detergent. For mildew (black or gray spots), mix trisodium phosphate (TSP) and bleach carefully following safety instructions. Clean windows, frames, and sills with mild detergent before washing glass. Start top to bottom to avoid streaks, and use a professional-strength window cleaner and squeegee for best results.

Paint

Refresh exterior surfaces with a coat of paint. For aluminum or vinyl siding, use an exterior latex primer and True Value WeatherAll® Exterior Aluminum/Vinyl Siding paint. Masonry like brick, concrete, or stucco should be primed with latex masonry primer and painted with True Value WeatherAll® Exterior Masonry & Stucco paint. Wood siding works best with quality latex primer and True Value WeatherAll® latex paint.

Flat and satin sheens camouflage imperfections, while semi-gloss or gloss is ideal for shutters and trim. Use the True Value paint calculator to estimate needed quantities. Always follow ladder safety and protective gear guidelines.

Prune and Maintain Landscaping

Trim shrubs, weed flowerbeds, rake leaves, and mulch for a tidy landscape. Keep your lawn freshly mowed and edged. Fertilize unhealthy grass and reseed thin or dead patches. Use a hand rake or aerator to loosen soil, apply seed and fertilizer, and water thoroughly. Mulch lightly to aid sprouting, especially on slopes. Avoid mowing until new grass reaches about 1½” tall.

Repair

Fix driveway cracks to prevent further damage. Wash with a pressure washer and let dry. For asphalt, use water-based acrylic filler/sealer for cracks up to 1/8″ wide, or rubberized asphalt emulsion for larger cracks. Wider cracks or potholes require cold-patch blacktop. For concrete, use patching compounds with foam backer rods for cracks larger than 1/2″. Always wear gloves, goggles, and a dust mask.

Update your front door and entryway. Clean, refinish, stain, or paint as needed. If replacement is required, measure carefully and note hinge placement for proper installation. Check window screens for tears; patch small holes with adhesive or replace the screen if necessary. Local True Value stores carry replacement screening and tools.

Add finishing touches: vinyl shutters, window boxes with seasonal flowers, decorative planters, or flower beds around trees. Keep fences, mailboxes, doormats, and house numbers clean and maintained to enhance overall curb appeal.

“With a few thoughtful updates, your home’s first impression can become the envy of the neighborhood.”