Interior and Exterior Maintenance and Repair
Scope and the make-ready sequence
This domain covers drywall, paint and trim, doors, hardware and locks, windows and screens, flooring (carpet, VCT, laminate, tile), caulk and grout, cabinets and countertops, roofing and flashing, siding, gutters, concrete and asphalt, fencing, signage, and grounds care. The make-ready (turn) sequence is a favorite exam topic: safety and pest inspection first, then removal and repair, drywall, paint, flooring, deep cleaning, and a final inspection with a punch list. Locks should be rekeyed or replaced between residents and every key logged.
Technique traps
Questions love preparation shortcuts. Paint fails when applied over grease, dust, or moisture, so clean, patch, sand, prime bare drywall and stains, then paint. Match sheen to location: flat for ceilings and low-traffic areas, eggshell or satin for walls, semi-gloss for trim, doors, kitchens, and baths. Use the right sealant: paintable acrylic caulk indoors, silicone in wet areas and outdoors. Drywall patch sequence: cut a clean square, add backing, screw the patch, tape, apply three thin coats of compound with sanding between, prime, then paint.
Water, ladders, and safety
Water intrusion is the highest-cost mistake in this domain: report and correct roof, flashing, window, and grading problems early, because mold control is moisture control, not bleach. Ladder safety means three points of contact, a 4:1 angle, never standing on the top two rungs, and never using an aluminum ladder near power lines.
Worked example
A 6-inch hole behind a door: square the opening, install backer material, screw in the new piece, tape and apply three coats, sand smooth, prime, texture to match the surrounding wall, then paint corner to corner so the sheen blends and the patch does not flash.