We’ve all been there. You wake up one morning to find that the sink in your kitchen has decided to start spraying water all over the place, or you get home from work to find out that the sump pump in your basement just decided to give up on life, or you’re at the park with your kids when suddenly it starts pouring and you realize that you have no way of repairing the tent before the kids start crying and your wife starts screaming at you because she’s already late getting back home and now her clothes are wet and her hair is ruined… Sound familiar?
1) Toolbox
Fixing things around the house can feel like a never-ending game of Whack-A-Mole. No sooner do you get something fixed, than something else falls apart? There are a few tools that will save you time and frustration in your inevitable hunt for a hammer. Plus, by stocking up now, when disaster strikes and it’s time to take action, you’ll have everything on hand for quick solutions!
2) A hammer
A hammer can fix plenty of things, such as loose nails, and loosening bolts. If you’re not sure how you’ll use a hammer the next time you need it, get one now. Trust me–it’s worth the investment. Remember that time your doorknob fell off and you had to put in a new doorknob? Yeah, if you didn’t have a hammer handy, the chances are that it took about ten times longer than it would have taken with one. When I don’t have a tool for what I’m working on (particularly when I’m up on an unfinished roof), I always keep my eyes peeled for something nearby that might work in its place. Something like
3) Screwdrivers
A set of screwdrivers will save you a lot of time and frustration, as not all screw heads are the same size. It’s also useful to have a variety of colors, since they’ll make it easier for you to know which screwdriver is in use without having to look up what you’re doing. Plus, some varieties come with magnetic tips, making it easy for you to store them when not in use.
4) Tape measure
A reliable tape measure is a must-have. This is probably the only time you’ll ever need to purchase one. I recommend buying them before you have a use for them, as they can be hard to find when you need them. Consider measuring the length of anything in your home now and marking that spot with tape so you know where the end of your tape measure will always be–if something breaks, replacing it will be a lot easier because they’re never where they should be when you’re looking for them.
5) Pliers
One of the first things any handyman needs is a good set of pliers. For the money, you can’t beat the grip and utility of a pair of channel lock pliers. The jaw capacity will vary depending on size, but 10 lengths with deep teeth usually do the trick. If your handles are welded together or if you plan on using them as clamps for tricky projects, it’s best to get wire cutters that are attached rather than separate.
