A Homeowners Basic Tool Kit
Whether you consider yourself handy or not, there are a few must-have tools that are essential for just about every homeowner. Here is a list I came across of the ten-most-useful tools for homeowners and what they are used for:
1) Adjustable Screw Driver - Most include two sizes of Philips head and two sizes of Flat head tips. Priced less than $5.00, this four-in-one tool can replace an entire screwdriver set and fit conveniently in a kitchen junk drawer.
2) Flash Light - More of a safety device than a tool, every home should have an easily accessible flashlight in every bedroom, one in the kitchen and another in the basement. You'll find they also come in handy during many home repair projects; like plumbing, wiring and replacing a light bulb.
3) Pipe Wrench - Even if you don't plan on tackling any plumbing projects yourself, you should have a medium sized pipe wrench in your home. In the event a pipe breaks, faucet cracks or cut-off-valve sticks - a pipe wrench may help you keep a puddle from turning into a flood.
4) Hammer - A medium size hammer will valiantly serve you and your home in many tasks, but you will find that 75-percent of its job description is hanging pictures.
5) Electric Stud Finder - Another handy tool for hanging pictures, shelves and anything else you want to remain on the wall. It eliminates the guesswork by helping you find exactly where wall studs are located.
6) Duct-Tape - sometimes called a handy-man's best friend, duct-tape can solve a variety of problems.
7) Drill - The only power tool on the list, a drill must be used safely and with care. Many of the cordless models are lightweight, easy to use and come with a Philips head tip for installing or removing screws. Your wrists and forearms will be happy you have it when assembling pre-fabricated furniture or hanging cabinet doors.
8) Tape measure - A quality, 12 to 15 foot tape measure is ideal for many home-decorating tasks like measuring for window blinds, carpeting and furniture placement.
9) Adjustable Wrench - Actually this tool is good in a pinch but not ideal for regular use. An adjustable wrench assures that you will have the right size wrench for all nuts and bolts, but it can easily strip them. If you find that you are using it more than a handful of times a year, buy yourself a sized wrench set.
10) Pliers - Another great catch-all-tool, pliers work well for removing a stubborn nail or tightening a hard to reach bolt. Another great "junk-drawer" tool, pliers often come in handy when all other tools fail.
In my experience, I would also suggest keeping old coffee cans for extra screws, nails, washers, nuts and bolts. They come in handy all the time; when hanging pictures, curtains, and especially for those unexpected home repairs that pop up from time-to-time.
I hope you found this as interesting and useful as I did. Remember, having the necessary tools to maintain your home is only part of the process. It's a good idea to make sure you fully understand how to operate them correctly and safely.
Sincerely,
Juanita Williams
http://www.homesinlakestevens.com/
http://www.williamsbrokers.com/
