You cannot make a real impact on your home maintenance work without the tools that keep you safe and maximize your potential. Make sure you have this whole checklist covered before you head out into the early Spring mud to get to work on home repair, garden preparation, or other outdoor work. Being well-prepared makes the projects less difficult as well.
1. A sturdy pair of muck boots is helpful for braving the April showers and for getting out of any muddy spaces that your work may get you into. If you have to do some foundation checking, in particular,
2. If you are doing major home repair or remodeling, it’s never a bad idea to have some steel toe boots. These will protect your feet if you accidentally drop something large or heavy, and generally form a sturdy foundation to keep you from falling in precarious positions while repairing.
3. For sharp or splintered items you may need to carry, a key piece of gear is your work gloves; make sure you get some that fit you well, are made of sturdy materials like leather or cloth with a rubber coating, and keep out water or other substances. Gloves equip you to get through large projects without harming your hands.
4. A waterproof coat will keep you from getting sopping if caught in a surprise storm outside, while also keeping you warm when the last parts of winter come through your area. Especially if you are working on your HVAC system or plumbing systems, it never hurts to have a substantial coat that will keep water out.
5. Make sure you have some rolls of heavy-duty tape handy for any repairs after a long winter. While tape may not be the permanent solution, a strong, water resistant tape can be a great method to fix something quickly. Duct tape and other heavy-duty tape should be a constant companion when assessing whether something needs a temporary fix or whether it can be held in place by some tape for a long time.
6. When working with walls, you’ll want to have a stud finder. This not only allows you to assess the interior of the walls without removing plaster or drywall, but also can help you hang picture frames and secure bookcases.
7. Safety glasses should be one of the first items you purchase before a home repair project. We are only as good as the eyes we have to evaluate home repair needs, so protect your eyes (or in some cases, your glasses) from any flying debris or dust while you are working.
8. Needle nose pliers are likely to get you out of a jam more than once; whether you are repairing old appliances that have some rust on them, or pinching two wires together, you’ll need a sturdy pair of pliers that can reach into hard-to-access spots.
9. A tape measure will come in handy so often that they put a clip on it so you can just carry it on your belt. You might as well buddy up to it, since knowing the dimensions of various parts of your home are key to being able to replace and repair everything from hot water heaters to windows.
Gathering all these items will help you take care of your home, but when you need a professional evaluation, make sure you take the time to contact us at FXC Inspections. Our years of home inspection experience can help diagnose common and uncommon house repair needs and make sure you have an accurate list of what needs to be done urgently and what might could wait.
