Congratulations on your new home! Now, it’s time to get to work. It may sound funny, but home repairs can get pretty costly if they’re ignored for too long. It can be the difference between a few hundred or several thousand dollars! So with that in mind, here is a quick list of basic supplies to have on hand for common home repairs. And don’t worry – most if not all of these can be found at your local hardware store.
Plumbing Repair Tools
From adjustable wrenches to pipe snakes, you’ll want an array of DIY plumbing tools around the house. This can help to prevent water damage associated with leaky pipes, as well as ensure that your sewage and wastewater are flowing in the right direction rather than standing in your lawn.
Wall Repair Tools
Wall repairs are surprisingly easy to ignore, but a little crimp here can mean there’s a bigger problem. And if there’s a hole, it can be an open invitation from everything from mold to pests like ants and rats. Keeping your walls sturdy and pest-free by maintaining them with simple tools like wall putty, hammer, nails or screws, screwdrivers, wood panels, and some fresh paint.
Floor Repair Tools
Depending on what kind of floor you have, you’ll be able to use a lot of the same tools for your floor and wall. If you find any floor damage, you’ll have to have a jigsaw or similar tool to cut away damaged flooring. Replace the baseboard, then move on to patch the flooring – whether it be carpet, tile, or hardwood.
Watch the Garden
Most people don’t realize what sort of havoc a beautiful garden can wreak on the structural integrity of your home. From creeping vines that destroy your exterior, to thick and thirsty roots that can burst pipes and break up foundations, you might end up needing a good pair of pruning shears and a stump grinder. (Thankfully, you can rent mid-grade machinery.)
Numbers to Have
When it comes to more serious problems like foundation and roof problems, you’re probably better off just having a good phone book. While you can do superficial fixes yourself, if there is substantial damage, it’s best to have a professional take a look.
Now that you’ve got the know-how, it’s time to get those tools! Be diligent in keeping up with your repairs to save yourself tons of headaches, heartaches, and cash.
