10 Toolbox Essentials for Small Home Repairs
John Toth, 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 important to be ready to encounter home repairs. Fortunately, not all home repairs require the help of a professional or come with a big price tag. With the right tools, you can take on small home repairs. Here are 10 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 Phillips head, which has a tiny cross in the middle and a slotted (often called a flathead), which has a single blade. If you’re interested in purchasing a few more, tiny screwdrivers are helpful in eyeglass or small electronic repairs.
Hammer. Need to give something a good whack? Experts suggest purchasing a medium weight hammer since it is the most versatile from hanging picture frames to repairing loose boards on your deck.
Tape Measure. If you’re putting up curtains or figuring out where furniture can fit in your home, a tape measure is a must have. 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. You can also consider a laser measuring device or a laser level.
Pliers. This tool is ideal for grasping difficult items that need to be pulled or turned especially in small, hard to reach places. Consider purchasing at least two that are two 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 you need to drill holes in a perfect line.
Wrench. Make sure to purchase an adjustable wrench that can easily transform its size to tackle any type of 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 edge knife can be used to cut wallpaper, shave wood or open boxes. With a utility knife, the blade is stored within the handle, so you won’t get cut by accident.
For more information about home repairs or renovations contact the NCBIA. To learn more about the benefits of homeownership or to help you build a new home that is right for you, contact us. The NCBIA is your local not-for-profit trade association representing member companies from accountants to window washers and those involved in all aspects of home building, remodeling, and other aspects of services available to help you in the future as well as more information on the above topic. So, you can see it is for your protection that you use an NCBIA member. 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
Homeownership is truly a cornerstone of the American way of life. The North Coast Building Industry Association is dedicated to the advancement of the building industry, its members, and the communities it serves. North Coast Building Industry – Come Build with Us!
Like us or better yet share and follow us on Facebook!