No more calling the landlord to fix a leaky faucet or a broken disposal. Buying your first home is a major milestone worth celebrating. Speaking from experience, once you sign the papers, you might find yourself making one quick stop before pulling into the driveway of your new home… the hardware store. If you don’t already have a toolbox, now is a good time to purchase some of the most useful tools you’ll need to keep up with maintenance and DIY fixes in and around your new home. Here are several we recommend to get you started.
Tool Claw Hammer
What it Does Comes in handy in just about every room in your house.
When You’ll Use It To drive nails into wood or drywall and to remove nails from wood or drywall. Hanging pictures, mostly. But it can come in handy when you need to smash tiles apart in a renovation project or tap holes in walls before sawing out sections of drywall for repairs.
Tool Screwdriver Set
What it Does A screwdriver or two won’t do the trick if you plan to do any type of home repair or maintenance yourself. You’ll need a good set that includes various sizes of both slotted and Philips-head screwdrivers. It should include 10 – 20 different sizes and styles and be sturdy enough to hold up to years of use.
When You’ll Use It You’ll use this for everything from replacing outlets to putting furniture together.
Tool Cordless Drill
What it Does Saves your wrists and hands. But seriously, a cordless drill operates on rechargeable batteries and makes quick work of what could be a tedious project.
When You’ll Use It To drive screws into drywall (or remove them), to drill pilot holes to minimize wood splits when screws are inserted, and inserting drywall are just a few. It can also double as a saw to drill out holes for doorknobs, sink faucets, drains and other round openings (hole saw bits easily attach to a cordless drill). If you do find yourself replacing faucets, drains, or fixtures, this section of our website might come in handy.
Tool Level
What It Does There are several different types of levels, but for typical household uses, you’ll want a standard carpenter’s level. This ensures that you have a perfectly straight vertical or horizontal line. Despite the fact that you might have the new app on your smart phone, a real hand-held level is a must for your tool box.
When You’ll Use It To check that wood boards are flat and not bowed, to hang a row of pictures or mirrors, or to install shelves.
Tool Allen Wrench Set
What It Does Also called Hex Keys, these are used to drive bolts and screws with hexagonal shaped socket heads. These tools are “L” shaped and can be used on either side depending on how much space you have to work with.
When You’ll Use It Most likely to repair furniture or fix bicycles.
Tool Basic Wrench
What It Does This wrench (also called a sink wrench) is self-tightening and designed to help loosen or tighten fittings in hard-to-reach places.
When You’ll Use It This wrench will come in handy for replacing an old faucet in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room.
Tool Pliers
What It Does Pliers extend and strengthen your hand’s grip. They can grip and hold objects in order to more easily tighten, loosen or stabilize them. There are several specific types of pliers, but the most common or widely-used are standard, needle-nose, and stripping pliers.
When You’ll Use It To turn bolts, install faucet fixtures, tighten metal pipes and other plumbing connectors.
A few other items you’ll need once you’re in your first home:
- Tape measure
- Utility knife
- Carpenter gloves
- An assortment of nails and screws
- A Plunger
- A Ladder
Remember, that while you can save quite a bit of money if you’re handy around your home and enjoy DIY projects, there are a few projects you shouldn’t take on without the help of a professional, namely electrical work, plumbing and HVAC repairs. But, nefore you hire a pro to work on or around your house, ask trusted friends and family for a recommendation and check the Better Business Bureau to be sure you’re hiring a reputable company. Got questions? We’ve got answers! Give us a shout at plumber@maplewoodplumbing.com.
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