Wear and tear are a given when it comes to home ownership, and it’s anybody’s guess as to what will need to be fixed next. Whether you’re a brand-new homeowner or have been in your house for years, it’s never too late to make sure you’re equipped with the best tools for doing everyday repairs or bigger tasks.
The following essential tools will come in handy in a variety of different circumstances and play a part in maintaining your place. Having these at the ready will save you some frustration so you won’t have to go next door when the pipes under the sink are leaking or a cabinet comes off its hinges.
1. A screwdriver set: Adjustments to door latches, cabinet doors, appliances or anything else will need to be made, and at these moments, you’ll find yourself reaching for a Phillips or flathead screwdriver. Whenever something’s on the brink of falling apart, you’ll be glad that you have set of screwdrivers at hand to accomplish the task.
2. Tape measure: Before you haul a piece of furniture into a room, before you rearrange the furniture that’s there or before you saw into a piece of wood, you’ll need to take a measurement first. A tape measure will give you the answers you need and save you some time and trouble.
3. Hammer and nails: Inevitably, something will need to be tapped back into place around the house, or else a stray nail may need to be pulled out and replaced. If you need to hang a picture or secure something together, a hammer is what you’ll need.
4. Utility knife: If you have a pocket knife, you’ll undoubtedly find that it can only do so much, and for many projects, you’ll need something a little sturdier. A utility knife can be used both indoors and outdoors for many different tasks. One with replaceable blades is the best choice.
5. Pliers: Even if you think you won’t need this, a situation will occur when you’ll need to pull, bend or hold something in place. You can invest in a set of them that includes needle-nose, wire cutters or square top ones for any and all projects.
6. Wrench: When a fastener on a pipe under the sink needs to be tightened or you need to fix your bike, an adjustable wrench is the device you’ll need. You can also use this for basic work on small machinery or even on your car engine.
7. Power drill and bits: Putting up shelves and cupboards are great storage solutions, and you’ll need a power drill to get them up securely. You’ll probably run into other tasks, such as drilling deck screws, and a power drill will save you from picking up some blisters.
8. Putty knife/scraper: Nobody’s perfect, and when doing some home improvements you may accidentally put a hole in the wall you didn’t mean to, or when removing an old switch plate, part of the wall comes with it. A putty knife will help you patch that up and can also be used for scraping peeling paint.
9. Hand saw: Whether it’s for cutting down small limbs outside or sawing through stray carpeting or flooring, you’ll need a safe and effective way to do it. The ergonomic designs with rust-proof blades in the stores these days are not your grandfather’s hand saw.
10. Flashlight: This is something you might not think of as an essential toolbox item, but if your electricity goes out or you’ve got repairs to make in the basement, a good source of light will be essential.
In addition to all these items, some runner-up tools to have in your arsenal would be a caulking gun, an extension cord, a broom and dust pan, an Allen key, a sturdy step stool or ladder and some duct tape. Maintaining your home requires some effort, and being prepared will go a long way toward staying on top of the tasks that crop up from time to time. Having these 10 tools at the ready will prepare you for whenever something needs to be repaired, improved or assembled, and with this gear, you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood.
