Cabin and country home

A rust-resistant screw that fastens deck boards to the joists.

Hardware that slots into the groove on the side of a deck board and holds it down without any screw heads showing on top.

A coating for outdoor deck and fence wood that adds color and slows down water absorption and sun damage. Boards that are already deeply cracked or rotten need to be checked and replaced.

A sliding bolt that locks a gate or shed door.

A strong hinge for hanging a heavy steel or wooden gate on its post.

A wheel mounted under a sliding or swinging gate that carries its weight and lets it roll.

A metal support that fastens a fence panel or rail to the post. If the fence wobbles because of the post or footing, a bracket won't fix it. A railing meant to prevent falls needs a professional review.

A portable lock that fastens with a shackle.

A hinged plate mounted on a door and its frame so you can hang a padlock on it.

A channel along the edge of the roof that collects rainwater and carries it away.

The vertical pipe that carries water from the gutter down to the ground.

Hardware fixed to the eaves that supports and holds the gutter.

A mesh cover over the gutter that keeps leaves from getting in and piling up. Clear out any leaves already there first, and still check and clean now and then after it is installed.

A set of valves that splits the boiler's hot water and sends it to each room.

A valve with a floating ball that shuts off the water supply once the tank is full.

A cable you wrap around or run along a water pipe to warm it with electricity so it doesn't freeze. Follow the maker's instructions on layout and overlapping. If it doesn't feel warm, the controller's settings may be the reason.

A tube-shaped sleeve that wraps a water pipe to cut heat loss and slow freezing. In a long cold snap it may not be enough by itself.

A cover that goes over a yard faucet to slow freezing in winter. A faucet that has already burst needs the water shut off and a replacement.

An in-ground yard faucet that shuts off deep underground when closed, and the leftover water drains out below so it doesn't freeze. If the drain hole gets blocked, water can stay inside and freeze.

A small wheel at the bottom or top of a sliding insect screen that rolls along the track.

A rubber cord pressed into the frame groove to hold the screen mesh in place.