Are nails popping up from deck boards? If so, carefully remove old nails. Replace them with 3 inch corrosion-resistant decking screws or drive new 16d nails in the original holes, but at a new angle, avoid the old holes in the joists below.

To remove mildew from your deck, scrub it with a solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water. Let the solution dry on the deck surface. To prevent further mildew growth, make sure the protective coating that you apply to the deck contains a mildewcide. Mildew has a tendency to grow in heavily- shaded areas, so consider trimming overhanging branches or bushes.

Next time you are painting a room and want to knock off for the night, don't bother rinsing out the roller sleeve. Instead, roll out as much of the excess paint as possible, then cover the roller sleeve in aluminum foil. Crimp the foil around the ends of the sleeve to seal out air, and pop it into the refrigerator where it will stay fresh for 4 to 5 days. When you are ready to resume painting, take it out of the refrigerator at least two hours before painting, but don't unwrap it. This warm-up period allows the nap to become supple again and ready to use.

Are slugs feeding on your hosta?  Slugs live in the dampness under rocks and pots, waiting for the dark of night to munch on your plants.  All you find the next morning are chewed leaves and the glisten of dried slime.  Control is easy. If you use pesticide, use caution and read the label carefully.  It can be toxic to children and pets if used carelessly.  A safer alternative is to use a trap.  Many gardeners attest to the effectiveness of using beer to lure slugs.  There are traps that hold the beer where rain and thirsty pets cannot get to it.  Other gardeners recommend using an overturned cantaloupe or grapefruit rind.  Slugs will hide beneath it during the night; then you can get rid of them in the morning.