Tools For Diy Repairs You'll Want To Keep On Hand

DIY repairs are a great way to keep your house or apartment in good condition and save money. However, it is important when doing these repairs not to disregard the safety of yourself and your home. Certain tools can help you complete these DIY repairs without damaging your home, possessions, or yourself. It is important to use the right tool for the given job. Below are a few tools you will want to keep on hand if you’re planning to repair things yourself in your home.

1. Tape measure

A tape measure is an essential tool when you are working on a home job.  There’s very little more frustrating than finding out after a purchase that your pipe isn’t long enough or a couch doesn’t fit in your living room.  As a very multi-purpose tool, a good tape measure can be a lifesaver for DIY and many other projects you may work on throughout home ownership.  It’s definitely worth the investment to get a reliable tape measure.

2. Drill and/or driver

This tool is a must-have for most DIY projects. The proper bits will be necessary depending on the materials you are working with, but many drills are sold with a wide variety of bits in the first place. Alternatively, if you’re planning on projects with lots of repetitive tasks, consider getting an impact driver.  An impact driver should be used when driving screws in materials such as hardwood flooring, durable plastics, or metal.  It’s important to know that while an impact driver can function as a drill in many circumstances, the limited number of drill bits that fit on a driver can limit its usefulness generally.  If you have the money, and are seriously committed to DIY, getting both would be a great investment.  If not, then consider what projects you’re looking at and make the decision based on your needs.

3. Valves

Using the proper valves is one of the most important things in doing any kind of piping  DIY repair. They can be used when working on a water line to determine the flow and pressure, but they are also used in managing air flow in PVC piping. Some types of valves will have rubber that can be squeezed and released, while some will have disc settings that can be rotated and locked.

Knowing how to use these valves properly is important, so you don't find yourself damaging your pipes or the wall itself. Having the proper grade and fit of valve is crucial as well (this is why plumbers are great assets).  However, if you are serious about getting into DIY, learning more about valves and the tools used to replace them can be a worthwhile endeavor. Stainless steel valves are a great multi-purpose place to start, but make sure to do your research on the individual needs for your project as well.

4. Hammer

In terms of DIY, it’s hard to get more basic and reliable than a trusty hammer.  Whether it’s ripping out nails or getting edges to align correctly, a good hammer can help with all sorts of odd jobs and tasks when working on a project.  It’s also important to mention the mallet, a more thumb-friendly alternative to a traditional hammer.  Having one of these will make many projects go over smoothly, and, given their relative price, it’s not breaking the bank to cover your bases with both.  

DIY repairs can be useful and can save you money, but it is important that you use the right tools while doing this. It will keep you safe, and it will make your home look a lot better.  These are merely a few that are good to have on hand if DIY is your passion, or is something you’re interested in getting into