Essential Tools for the Homeowner
Most people don't realize that a house is a bigger investment than just the purchase. It’s because of all the things you need to buy that you never knew you needed until you bought a house. Things like step ladders and a tool kit.
You’re probably going to need tools if you’re going to live in a house, even if you have no intention of remodeling or do-it-yourself projects. What follows is a list of tools you probably should have in your tool kit for all the maintenance things that come up.
l Allen wrench – used to turn screws with hexagonal sockets
l Ball-end Allen wrenches – particularly useful because the wrench doesn’t have to be perfectly perpendicular to the screw so can be used in tight and odd spaces
l Box wrench – surrounds the nut or bolt for better leverage, used for plumbing and car repairs
l Brads, nails, bolts, and screws in various sizes
l Cordless drill/screwdriver – good for hanging shelves, furniture kit assembly, driving screws, sheetrock
l Curved claw hammer – driving and removing nails, picture hanging, building projects
l Digging spade – gardening
l Duct tape – temporary repairs
l Extendable-handle rake – leaf raking and gardening
l Glue gun – small fabric tear repair, furniture repair, picture matting, hobby projects
l Lag screws – for mounting large pictures or other large objects like wall vanities or heavy shelves
l Level (2-inch with aluminum housing) – mounting shelves and pictures
l Locking long-nose pliers – vise-grips for gripping screws with head broken off
l Lopper – trimming tree branches and bushes
l Needle-nose pliers – for small-object gripping
l Open-end wrench – appliance repair, plumbing, general nut and bolt turning
l Pipe wrenches – plumbing
l Portable tool box – emphasis on the word “portable”
l Pruning shears – gardening
l Pump Wet/Dry Vacuum – floods or spills
l Saw – for cutting wood, a 16"-24" utility hand saw is all you need
l Screwdrivers, Phillips and flathead – available in sets of four or six different drive configurations
l Socket wrench with a ratchet handle – plumbing and car repairs
l Torx screwdrivers – in the shape of a star and fit into specialized screw holes
l Spray lubricant – freeing up nuts and bolts, lubricating door hinges and metal window slides
l Tape measure – purchase a 25'x1" in a durable case
l Utility knife with a retractable blade – general cutting
l Wire cutters – electrical work, trimming utility wire
l Work flashlight, sturdy