Tools of the Trade: Common Household Tools Everyone Should Have

6/25/2019 (Permalink)

Tools of the Trade: Common Household Tools Everyone Should Have 

 It’s DIY time, friends!

It’s true — we’re the folks you call when you’re in of need remediation, restoration, and cleaning services in Dallas. We step in when DIYing gets to be too much for the DIYer. But, we can still appreciate a good old-fashioned home project! And, we love imparting our knowledge to others (aka giving advice). 

Today, we’re talking tools. When you own a home, repair and maintenance jobs often come up. In many cases, it doesn’t require expertise. But, it’s still important to be prepared.

If you’re like a plethora of other homeowners, you probably have a toolbox that you add to every now and then. As tasks come along, you look up what you need online and take a trip to the local home improvement store. There is certainly nothing wrong with this; however, we suggest always having a quality “base” of tools. Of course, we’ll explain which items are essential to have at the ready. 

1. Measuring Tools

You know how the old saying goes — measure twice, cut once. Correct measurements are at the crux of most DIY projects. A mistake can result in a lot of lost time and money. At a minimum, you should have a couple of measuring tools:

Tape Measure

You’ve probably used flexible measuring tape before. We suggest using one that’s 15 to 25 feet long.

Combination Square

This is a multi-purpose measuring tool is a sliding ruler with interchangeable heads. It helps in assuring the integrity of angles. You typically find it at 12 inches long. 

3. Level

This guy is all about — you guessed it — leveling. A level tool is key in everything from hanging a picture all the way up to positioning major appliances.

4. Hammer

We’re willing to bet you have a hammer in your toolbox already, but it’s worth the reminder that it’s a crucial tool. You know how it works — it’s needed for constructing, hanging, and prying items as well as demoing. No homeowner should be without one.

5. Screwdrivers

Screws are used in almost everything. Whether you’re putting items together or taking them apart, a screwdriver is indispensable. In the very least, you should have a Phillips head (pointed tip) and a flat-head (flat tip) screwdriver.

6. Stud Finder

More than likely, you’re going to hang at least one thing on at least one wall in your home. If it has some weight, you want to make sure it’s not going to tear through the wall. This requires finding the stud behind the wall so you can screw or nail into it.  With an electronic stud finder, you simply drag the device over a wall and it “senses” where the stud is located.

7. Wrench

When you have bolts, nuts, or other objects that need tightening or loosening, you need a wrench. We recommend an adjustable wrench so it’s more versatile. Also, the other forms that come in handy include pipe, Allen, and socket wrenches.

8. Pliers

Pliers are useful for gripping, cutting, removing screws, and straightening and bending objects. There are several different kinds out there, and it’s easy to find a set that gives you a good variety. This may include slip-joint, tongue-and-groove, and needle-nose pliers. 

9. Utility Knife

If you need to cut something with precision, a utility knife is your best friend. And, it’s almost guaranteed your relationship will last through the years since the blades are retractable and replaceable.

10. Power Drill

You don’t need a fancy, high-powered power drill for it to become a vital tool in your collection. Obviously, it’s perfect for drilling holes in a jiff, but that’s not its only talents. Depending on the drill bit used and the speed, it’s also useful as a screwdriver, buffer, and sander. 

11. Circular Saw

At some point, you might take on a task that requires lumber cuts. A circular saw works great in this situation. Plus, there are multiple blades for use with a variety of materials including metal, masonry, and plastic. A 15-amp circular saw is standard.

12. Crowbar

A crowbar is a must-have tool for home renovation projects. It’s good for demolition work such as pulling nails, removing wood and molding, and pulling up flooring and tile.

13. Ladder

Unless you insist on climbing up walls (not recommended) or you’re a giant, you know what this is for.

14. Cleaning Tools

Okay, so cleaning supplies may not be what you think about when you hear “household tools”; however, they shouldn’t be discounted. Home projects can result in a mess. For the safety of you and others, you should clean your job site as best as possible. In addition to your trusty household cleaner, there are specific supplies you should also have on hand:

• Hand vacuum for picking up dust and any small items left on the ground
• Damp microfiber cloth for properly trapping household dust on counters and appliances, etc.
• Dusting kit with extension to reach high areas such as ceilings, light fixtures, and tops of cabinets
• Scrub brush for dealing with stains and other heavy-duty messes

Of course, if for some reason the job results in a hazardous situation, it’s probably best to call in professionals, which we’ll discuss next.

15. A Helping Hand

It happens to the best of us so don’t feel bad if you get more than you bargain for with a DIY project. Sometimes, mistakes are made, and the result is damage.

As an example, you might cause a water or sewage leak, or you might deeply stain carpets and furniture. Or, in a more serious predicament, you might stumble upon mold growth as you’re working on something. In cases like these, you should consider contacting a cleanup and restoration specialist with a diverse set of capabilities.

Not to toot our own horn, but SERVPRO of North Irving is one such specialist. As we mentioned, we provide restoration and cleaning services in Dallas. This goes beyond dealing with storm, water, and fire damage. We’re a full-service company with a wide range of skills:

• Mold remediation
• Biohazard cleanup
• Vandalism, trauma, and crime scene cleanup
• Odor removal
• Carpet and upholstery cleaning
• Air duct and HVAC cleaning
• Commercial cleaning
• Building and reconstructing damaged or demolished property

Plus, we’re available for our clients’ emergency calls 24 hours a day and we accept all insurance.

If you’re in the Dallas area and need our help, feel free to give us a call at (972) 986-7677. (If you’re not in the Dallas area, we still care about you and thanks for reading.)