10 Toolbox Essentials for Small Home Repairs
Tim King, President
North Coast Building Industry Association – NCBIA (www.ncbia.com)
The joys of homeownership are numerous, from providing comfort for you and your family to building up equity in your financial profile. If you are a new homeowner, it is essential to be ready to encounter home repairs. Fortunately, not all home repairs require the help of a professional or come with a hefty price tag. With the right tools, you can take on small home repairs. Here are ten essential toolkit items to help you tackle home projects and maintenance.
Screwdrivers. Cabinets, doorknobs, shelving, or just about any area of your home has screws. Two types of screwdrivers are generally needed for home repairs: a Philips, which has a tiny cross in the middle, and a flathead, which has a single slot at the top. If you’re interested in purchasing a few more, tiny screwdrivers are helpful in eyeglasses or small electronic repairs.
Hammer. Do you need to give something a good whack? Experts suggest purchasing a medium-weight hammer since it is the most versatile, allowing you to do everything from hanging picture frames to repairing loose boards on your deck.
Tape Measure. A tape measure is a must if you’re putting up curtains or figuring out where furniture can fit in your home. You may want to consider a tape measure with a locking and retracting mechanism to hold the tape steady. A 25-foot tape measure is common for most small home projects.
Pliers. This tool is ideal for grasping difficult items that need to be pulled or turned, especially into small, hard-to-reach places. Consider purchasing at least two of different sizes, such as 8-inch needle-nose pliers and 10-inch groove-joint pliers.
Level. To ensure your household items are straight and perfectly aligned, you will need to add a level to your toolbox. This device can come in handy when you’re hanging pictures or drilling holes in a perfect line.
Wrench. Make sure to purchase an adjustable wrench that can easily transform its size to tackle any nut or bolt in your home.
Flashlight. Proper illumination will help you navigate do-it-yourself projects in dark crevasses or in poorly lit spaces. If your power goes out, you’ll need this handy tool to find your way around your home.
Hardware. If you’re assembling furniture or working on just about any small home repair, it’s good to have extra nails and screws available. You may want to start off with a pre-packaged assortment of hardware to be prepared for any project.
Tape. Adhesive is ideal for quick fixes. Experts recommend having at least four types of tape handy for repairs: duct, painters, electrical, and plumbers.
Utility Knife. Sometimes, using scissors isn’t ideal. A sharp-edged knife can be used to cut wallpaper, shave wood, or open boxes. With a utility knife, the blade is stored within the handle so that you won’t get cut by accident.
For more information about home repairs or renovations, contact the NCBIA. We are your local not-for-profit trade association representing member companies involved in all aspects of home building, remodeling, and other services available to help you in the future, and more information on the above topic. So, you can see that you use an NCBIA member for your protection. If you are unsure that your contractor is a member of the NCBIA or you are looking for a list of NCBIA members, you can visit our website at www.ncbia.com or call 440-934-1090. We also have a job posting board (under the Industry tab).
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