Must-Have Tools For DIY Repairs Around The House

Most repairs and building projects around the house are well within our abilities – remember, going the DIY route can save you a ton of money on simple maintenance, repair and decorating jobs.

The only thing you need to get started is a well-stocked toolbox. While this does not mean that you should go out and buy every tool imaginable, it is important to invest in a few basic items that you’ll utilize over and over again.

Here are some must-have tools for DIY repairs around the house.

Screwdrivers

If there is one tool that should be in your toolkit, it’s a good quality screwdriver. You’ll pretty much need it for all DIY repair work, from assembling Ikea tables to installing a new switch.

To save some space, you can buy a ratcheting screwdriver that is able to accept different attachments or bits.

Just be sure you get the “awl” which is used to make holes into wood before drilling – you can also get mounting screws here.

Hammers

Just like screwdrivers, you need a hammer for a number of jobs – in fact, experts say that this is the second most important tool in your DIY arsenal.

The most versatile hammer you can buy is a 16 ounce option with a curved claw and a smooth head. This is ideal for both heavy duty and delicate jobs, such as hanging photos to breaking up plaster walls.

Snips

These are smaller versions of pliers that you can use to strip and cut insulation from wires before wiring sockets, outlets or plugs. These are also necessary for cutting cable ties, light gage netted wire and tie wires.

Pliers

These are handy tools that have metal ‘teeth’ on one end, and long handles on the other. They are commonly used to grip something (like nuts, nails, power plugs etc.) so that you can twist, pull or bend it easily.

To make life easy, you should opt for ‘Vise-Grips’ or locking pliers; these have adjustable jaws that you can easily resize to fit different fixtures and nuts.

Measuring Tape

No toolkit is complete without a measuring tape, especially since accurate measurements are essential in DIY projects.

From measuring the space where you need to fit in a new appliance to sizing a pipe, you will need this to complete a number of jobs.

A good option is a retractable tape; you can easily measure the space without having to hold it down while you note the dimensions.

Torches

You can get a traditional one that needs an incandescent bulb, or an LED torch that is brighter, and can last longer.
Some people also keep a head torch so they can work both hands.

Ladders

You can easily clean shallow gutters, paint, hang baskets, cut hedges etc. with the help of a step ladder.

If you get an extension ladder, you can also do tasks that require you to access top gutters, reach the top of trees to cut the branches, and more.

Wrenches

You can use wrenches to tighten taps, bolts, nuts, and perform plumbing tasks, fix walls etc. For most DIY projects, you can make do with an adjustable wrench, as its size can be altered to grasp nuts of different sizes.

In addition to these basic tools, there are a number of items that are likely to come in handy. One of them is a voltage testing kit to check batteries, test the continuity of fuses, and the current in wires.

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