Rent a washer for the weekend

Bottom line: cheap rental, dramatic results.

South Carolina humidity leads to mildew and grime building up on siding, driveways, and walkways. Renting a power washer for a couple of days can reveal a pristine exterior underneath. Work through it methodically:

• Siding, brick, and shutters
• Driveways, patios, and outdoor living areas
• The mailbox and any fencing

Go easy on older siding and painted surfaces — too much pressure can do damage, so start with a wider nozzle and more distance than you think you need.

Don't forget windows and shutters

Bottom line: clean glass makes a house look brighter inside and out.

While the exterior is getting attention, wash the windows and check the shutters. Sagging, faded, or missing shutter slats are the kind of thing homeowners stop seeing but visitors notice immediately. Straighten, repair, or repaint them — and enjoy the extra light coming through clean glass.

Clear the gutters and rooflines

Bottom line: pine straw and oak debris pile up fast around here.

Between our pines and live oaks, gutters fill quickly. Overflowing or streaked gutters draw the eye for all the wrong reasons, and clearing them protects the home from water problems too. It's an unglamorous job that quietly tidies up the whole roofline framing your facade.