I think we all like the idea of being able to perform some maintenance and repair tasks ourselves. Having to call a handyman or a plumber for all the insignificant jobs might feel annoying and even uncomfortable at times. Not only getting help from a specialist is time consuming with finding the right person, and available above all, waiting for him to come to our home and then seeing how simple the task was, leaving us puzzled “why didn’t I do it myself?”
This is why you should really consider doing some small repairs and maintenance tasks on your own. Not all of them, as mentioned, small repairs and maintenance tasks. Some more important or with an increased level of difficulty it’s better to leave them to the specialists who not only will do them better, sometimes nicer, but you’ll also benefits from the warranty the professional will grant you for his work.
To do it yourself, of course, you should be prepared. Not only mentally, you should also know how to repair or to change what’s to be fixed. And knowledge goes hand in hand with tools. For you got to have the right tools for the job, otherwise you’ll find yourself wandering the specialist stores for the right products. Worry not, there are certain tools that are essential for basic maintenance and repairs. And these tools can be used for a variety of tasks, from fixing a leaky faucet to hanging a new picture frame. While the specific tools you need will depend on your individual needs, there are some essential tools for DIY projects that every homeowner should have on hand. Let’s check them:
Basic hand tools
You can’t live without these as they’re an essential part of any home maintenance or improvement project. And the one that surely comes first to your mind is the hammer. You only need one if it’s the good one. Look for a heavy-duty claw hammer with a rubberized grip to help absorb shock and reduce the risk of hand fatigue. Then it’s hard to imagine life without pliers, used for bending and straightening wires, cutting wire, twisting and gripping objects. They come in many varieties, but the most common are slip-joint pliers, diagonal pliers and needle-nose pliers. The screwdriver is another essential hand tool. It can be used to drive screws into wood mostly, or to loosen them. But in this case you should have a set including flathead, Phillips, Robertson, Torx and hex-head screwdrivers, you never know when you’ll need one of them. Don’t forget the tape measure for measuring things like lumber or tile.
Power tools
The power tools are also important for anyone who wants to be able to tackle small tasks and projects around the house. First on the list is the cordless drill. This is an incredibly versatile tool that can be used for drilling holes and driving screws. You should also keep a variety of drill bits so you can always be prepared for any project. Another essential power tool is the jigsaw which is great for making precision cuts in wood and other materials as well. Also here, make sure to have extra blades on hand so you can quickly swap them out when needed. And finally, the power sander which is perfect for smoothing rough edges and preparing surfaces for painting or staining.
Painting supplies
No matter what your painting project entails, there are some basics that you will need in order to get started. For example, unless you are using a spray paint, you will need a brush. And unless you want a very textured look, you will also need a roller. Of course, you will also need paint! These days there are all sorts of different kinds of paint on the market, from low VOC (volatile organic compounds) options to paints that have built in primers. Before you head to the store, it is helpful to have an idea of what kind of paint sheen you would like as well. The most common types being flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and high gloss.
Plumbing essentials
Pliers belong to plumbing essentials as well but since I already covered them, I’ll only add the wrenches, extremely useful when it comes to performing simple plumbing tasks around your home. You can also add an adjustable wrench and a channel lock plier if you have the space to store them. But please pay some attention, while it is great to do basic repairs yourself, when it comes to plumbing, there are some jobs that are better left to the professionals. There are situations you can do more harm than good by trying to fix a plumbing problem on your own, with all your good intention.
Lawn and garden equipment
Going outside, no matter what size your yard is, keeping it looking neat and tidy requires the right tools. And when it comes to lawn care, there is nothing more important than a good mower. You have to have the right one for the job you are doing, and these days there are a lot more options than ever before. For a small yard a walk mower will do the job just fine but if you have a large property, a lawn tractor would probably be better. If it’s too expensive or too big, a self-propelled lawnmower could be the solution as you don’t need to push it, only guide it, as it has a transmission that propels the machine forward. A leaf blower will also help you to keep your yard neat and clean and a good set of pruning shears is also a must have.
The value of being prepared
No one knows when a problem will appear, but it’s always better to be prepared, no matter it’s a small issue or a serious problem. That’s why a well-stocked toolbox is a necessity for any homeowner. Make sure you have these essential tools because, while you may not be able to fix everything yourself, having the right tools on hand can help you make quick work of small repairs or give you the peace of mind knowing that you’re prepared for anything, anytime. Having the right tools on hand can make all the difference between quickly solving your problems and investing time, nerves, energy and money to go and buy these tools or calling a professional to do the fix for you.
