Essential Tools That You Must Have In Your Home

You may be wondering whether to fix your home problem yourself or to hire the services of a contractor. Whichever decision you make, one thing remains true—you can save a bunch of money by repairing the issue yourself. Plus, you get to enjoy the satisfaction of being self-sufficient.

If you choose the DIY way, then you will need the right tools that can handle multiple tasks. Note that you do not need to buy every tool that you find at the hardware store. Just a few useful tools can help you with most of your projects.

Here are some essential tools that you need in your home:

1. Hammer

Most hammers that you will find at local hardware stores have one flat end for knocking in the nails, and one claw end for pulling out the nails. There are plenty of jobs around the house that will require the use of a hammer, whether you are fixing a kitchen cabinet or nailing hinges to a door.

When choosing your hammer, pick one that has a smooth face. While it may be slippery on the nails, it doesn’t mar the surfaces as much as ripped faced hammers do. Secondly, the handle should be made of either carbon fiber or steel. Avoid wooden handles as these are not durable and break easily. 

2. Pliers

It is hard to imagine a toolbox that doesn’t have pliers. Almost every time you are working on a DIY project for home improvement, you will need to grab a hold of something and maneuver it. Pliers will help you do this. Whether you are looking to cut a wire or you want to connect two different wires together, pliers are an essential tool to have in your toolbox.

Pliers come in different shapes and sizes. To remain on the safe side, you can choose a basic plier set that has three or four different types of pliers.

3. Screwdrivers

Another tool that you may never not use is the screwdriver. Many items at home are held together by screws, such as doorknobs, towel holders, furniture, as well as lamps. When the screws on these items start to become loose, you will need a reliable screwdriver to fix them back in.  

When buying screwdrivers, make sure to choose different sizes, from small to medium to large. Also, keep in mind that there are two main types of screws, which are the flat head screws and the Phillips screws. Some home projects will require you to use both.

4. Drill

One of the most versatile tools that you can have around your home is a power drill. You can use it to make holes of all sizes and depths depending on the drill bit. Moreover, change the drill bit and use the drill as a power driver. 

Power drills can neither be corded or cordless. For home DIY projects, a cordless power drill means that you don’t have to worry about maneuvering a cord when using the drill. Furthermore, cordless power drills are often between 9.6 volts and 24 volts. A 14.4-volt power drill is enough for most home projects. 

Before you buy a drill, visit Cordless Drill Guide for all the necessary details that would help you narrow down your options.

5. Adjustable Wrench

You will need the right tool for the items that are connected and attached using bolts and nuts. 

An adjustable wrench saves you from having to purchase different sizes of wrenches. When shopping for a wrench, pick two different sizes. A smaller wrench can be used for those hard to reach tight spaces. On the other hand, the larger wrench can be used for those tight bolts and nuts that require a bit of leverage to work on. 

6. Handsaw

While power tools are great, you will find plenty of benefits in a hand saw. This is simply a blade that has teeth on it. Various projects around the house require the use of a handsaw. For instance, you may have a tree near your house that needs trimming. A handsaw is much more maneuverable and safer to use than a power saw. That said, it is important to learn how to use a handsaw.

Keep in mind that there are three basic types of handsaws, which are the following:

• Traditional two-foot blade
• Japanese pull saw
• Pruning saw

7. Tape Measure

This is a no-brainer. You will need to make accurate measurements when working on your DIY projects. Whether you want to cut a piece of wood or pipe, or you are measuring the area of the wall that needs painting, you will need a tape measure.

A locking tape measure is ideal when working on DIY projects. The cost of the tape measure depends on the length. A 12-foot tape measure will cost around $5, while a 25-foot tape measure will cost more. The right size of tape measure for you will depend on the type of projects you will be working on. Nonetheless, very often, the longer the tape measure, the better.

8. Flashlight 

You may find yourself working on a project under low light conditions. Furthermore, the power may be out and you still need to be able to see around the house. In these situations, you will need a reliable flashlight. When shopping for a flashlight, choose one that has LED lighting. This will help the batteries to last longer, allowing you to make use of them for a longer time period.

Also, consider choosing a flashlight that can be mounted in different angles to be able to direct light where you need it.

9. Circular Saw

For larger wood projects around the house, you may need a more powerful saw. A circular saw features a rotating blade that cuts through larger pieces of wood fast and easy. But, there is a downside: circular saws are also quite dangerous. Therefore, it is important to maintain caution when working with one.

Conclusion

Sometimes, it would be best to repair simple home problems yourself to help you save money, plus you will have great fun going through the whole process that you will end up feeling satisfied. But, in order for you to accomplish home improvement DIY tasks successfully, you’ll need the help of the tools mentioned above as your hands can only do so much.