As a homeowner, it’s essential to perform regular upkeep to maintain the integrity of the structure and the components of your home. Of course, for annual inspections, some professionals come in to ensure the safety of the various equipment. But not everything is going to require a call to a repair technician, meaning we need to be a little handy with tools and make sure we have the proper ones available to us. It’s not a good idea to attempt something outside your skill level, but if you know how to troubleshoot and understand the basics, it can save you some money and time.
First, it’s crucial to ensure that you find the right tools to build a kit with all the essentials stocked. Over time, you can enhance this to include particular pieces needed for special projects, whether you are making changes around your existing home or have moved into a new home that needs some work. Everyone will need a hammer, screwdriver, nails and screws, and various other common items when engaging in weekend chores. Ideally, having the toolbox set up ahead of time with the core items allows you to be prepared for nearly any situation.
Essential Tools For Maintaining The Home
There is a multitude of tasks that need maintenance when you’re a homeowner to avoid malfunctions, deterioration, and costly repairs. In performing the upkeep, it’s essential to have the proper standard tools on hand that will assist in doing the work. There are a few pieces that are a must-have in a household toolbox:
- For necessary home repairs, there is a need to have screwdrivers on hand. There’s a broad range on the market, but in this spectrum, the Phillips and the flat head are the most common and most needed for home use. You can buy a screwdriver base that comes with multiple heads that you can switch out based on your needs, which may be more beneficial. A screwdriver is ideal for taking out switch plates, tightening or loosening screws for which there can be many varied situations, it offers a quick fix for most common maintenance issues. Follow these tips for tools to use for remodeling at https://www.thespruce.com/best-tools-for-remodeling-1822745.
- The suggestion for the in-home toolkit is to obtain a hammer that offers a rip claw that allows for pulling nails in a medium weight with either a fiberglass or metal handle as opposed to wood for more exceptional durability. If there will be any kind of demolition in the project, you will need to have a mallet as well. But the claw hammer will be necessary as a means to insert nails and extract them from surfaces, which would generally be of wood. These have use for demolition purposes, but the mallet offers more control in those situations.
- There are a number of different wrenches that you need to consider putting in your kit with the absolute essential being an Allen and an adjustable and then adding to those an open-end, a combination, and a socket if you’re not able to obtain all five at once. The various wrenches each have a different use with some that assist in loosening nuts and bolts. The suggestion is that the adjustable is the most useful because the size can be adjusted.
- With pliers, you should begin with the basics that are needed around the house and then add to it as you’re able or the need arises. The ones used most for home projects would be slip-joint, needle nose, and cutting pliers. Metal elements will need a way for you to grip, loosen, and tighten and the slip joint and needle nose helps in that process. If you do any kind of electrical work, wires can be cut with the cutting pliers. Click to find the necessary home improvement tools.
- A retractable or folding utility knife offers incredible sharpness, which makes it ideal for cutting in one precise swipe, much safer than with any other household item such as scissors or a knife.
- For home repair or projects, ideally, you want to use a tape measure that is self-retracting and of metal material. Plastic is a flimsy alternative making work challenging if you don’t have a partner helping. Also, make sure to have measurements conveyed in both inches and centimeters. A tape measure is invaluable not only for repairs, remodels, renovations but if you’re merely hanging any type of pictures or shelves or deciding if a piece of furniture is going to fit in a room.
- There are a few different varieties of stud finders, but for the homeowner, a basic electronic version is sufficient. These allow you to know what’s happening inside the wall, find the wood or metal studs with some being capable of locating certain kinds of wires. The technology is beneficial when you’re trying to put things on the wall, particularly heavy items that need a stud for extra support.
- A small or medium-sized LED flashlight or even a LED headlamp if you don’t want to lose the use of your hands while you’re working. The flashlight is critical when working in a dark area, whether it be a crawl space or inside a cabinet or closet where there is no lighting.
- The most versatile drill to include in your toolkit will be the 12-volt cordless, which works on a rechargeable battery providing you with power without the restriction of a cord and offering the capability of fitting a multitude of drill bits and attachments for your convenience.
- A wide variety of nails and screws need to find a home in your toolbox, including an assortment of galvanized nails, finishing nails, stud anchors, and drywall screws. A lot of times, these will come in a kit. You will need these for so many purposes, such as hanging items on the wall. These are an absolute must-have in your essential home DIY toolbox.
These are the types of essential tools that will get you started on any basic home project. If the repair seems to be more than you can handle, contact a professional rather than go above your skill level.
