The exterior of your home is just as important as the interior. You probably don't give it as much thought, however. You come home, glance around, then walk inside and shut the door never giving it further consideration.

It is important to check your exterior siding. Proper care is essential to avoid everything from inefficient energy to mildew to sun damage.

Check siding and trim around windows and doors to see if repairs are needed. Use a two-part wood filler for holes, dents and gaps. Mix the filler and its hardener according to the manufacturer's directions and then force it into the depression with a putty knife. When it has hardened, sand it smooth. Prime the area before painting. Remove caulk that has hardened or loose. Use a stiff brush to clean out the joint and dust the area with an old paintbrush to remove small particles of dirt and dust. Apply new caulk to seal the joint and touch up with paint.

Use a garden hose with a spraying attachment to clean siding. First, apply a mild soap mixed with water using a sponge mop and rinse with a strong stream of water. Protected areas, such as the underside of eaves and overhangs, should be washed to remove surface salts that can interfere with proper paint adhesion. For areas affected by mildew, use a mildew-resistant cleaner with water.

Ultraviolet rays from the sun, airborne pollutants, rain and other environmental factors cause the original finish on manufactured sidings to chalk, fade and become porous, allowing dirt to collect and penetrate the surface. To restore vinyl siding with paint, it is advisable not to use a deeper color than the original because deeper colors can cause warping on some grades of vinyl siding when subjected to the exposure of the sun.

If it's hot weather try to schedule your work in the morning or evening when it's cooler.

An ordinary garden hose has a lot more to do than water the grass. This hard working tool is used to wash the exterior of the house, the patio, the deck and the car. It's a necessary tool to bring water to a place that's not near the faucet.

Garden hoses may look alike for the most part yet vary in their length, diameter and construction. Most stores stock hoses in lengths of 25 feet increments so you can buy 25, 50, 75 or 100 feet. When you choose a hose, consider the size of your property and where it will be used.

If your lawn is 50 feet long and you want to wash your car in the driveway just 15 feet from the faucet, then buy two 25-foot lengths of hose. That way you can use just one to wash the car and then couple the two hoses together when you want to water the flowers out by the curb.

The most popular hose diameters are 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, and 3/4 inch. The length and diameter of the hose affect how much pressure is needed to push the water through the hose. A long, wide hose needs more water pressure than a short, narrow one.

The biggest difference in hoses is how they are constructed. The material and composition determines the performance, weight, durability, function and price. Most stores offer a basic garden hose of vinyl reinforced with nylon tire cord. This kind of hose is relatively inexpensive and lightweight. It's easy to coil, carry and store. It's a great choice for general household use and light gardening tasks.

A vinyl-reinforced hose is not very durable, and will wear quickly if used frequently. Hoses with some rubber in the composition are more rugged. Rubber makes a hose heavier and somewhat harder to handle, but it will outlast a vinyl hose by quite some time. Composite rubber-vinyl hoses are a good choice for the serious gardener and light construction work.

For heavy-duty construction work, there are hoses that combine all-rubber composition with double-reinforced spiral cords. These industrial hoses have the capacity to carry water at 500 pounds per square inch without bursting. This, of course, wouldn't be a concern of a typical homeowner but a hose of this quality can be four times as costly as the average garden hose and last far longer under the most abusive conditions.

When working outdoors in warm weather, some people drink directly from the garden hose. Surprisingly, not all hoses are considered safe for carrying drinking water. They can have internal cores that add small amounts of contaminants to the water. There are hoses specifically designed to carry drinking water. These are called "boat and camper" or recreational hoses and feature a non-toxic, FDA approved core that won't taint drinking water.

When most hoses develop a leak, they get replaced or repaired. Sprinkler hoses, however, are designed to leak water along their entire length in order to water the garden. The most common type of sprinkler hose has three narrow hoses bonded together side-by-side. The topside of the triple hose has a series of tiny pinholes that allow the water to escape in a fine mist.

Another type of sprinkler hose is called a "soaker" and generates a water mist from all sides. Most gardeners bury this type of hose a few inches below the garden surface to keep soil and roots watered. Soaking hoses generally come in 50-foot lengths. Tying a knot at the desired length can shorten some of these types of hoses.

If storage is a problem, consider buying a flat hose. Flat hoses are, well, flat and they stay that way except when water is being forced through them. Many come with their own reel and carrying handle for easy coiling and storage.

If you use your hose often, you will probably want to attach a nozzle to the working end. The nozzle makes it easier to shut of the water and controls the water in a stream or spray, depending on your needs.

There are two types of nozzles-twist nozzles and trigger nozzles. It's easy to shut off the water with a trigger nozzle by just releasing the trigger but it can cause hand fatigue if it's held for too long. Look for one with a clamp to keep the trigger in the "on position".