DIY jobs are always best tackled using the right tools. You can visit Lowe’s and order all the home improvement materials you need but it’ll ultimately be pointless if you’ve got no tools to complete the project! This is why it’s important to plan ahead to see what materials and tools you will need to carry out the task. Once you know what you need, you can see what materials you already have, look on Raise to see if they have coupons that will save you money, and check to see you have the appropriate tools.
They make the job both easier and safer. To struggle with a tool either means that we are not skilled enough at using it or it is the wrong tool for the job. This process of selecting the right tool is a part of DIY and something to learn Of course, some jobs need a professional touch, so don’t cut out those plumbers entirely. Keeping a list of their services to hand (e.g. makeitdrainplumbing.com/service-area/sherman-oaks-plumbing-services/) could help in a pinch, but consider what you could do with the right tools at home. So, with that in mind let’s look at some jobs and the tools that are most likely to achieve the best outcomes. That is one we are pleased with, our other half is pleased with, and anyone visiting our home will think is a good job done.
Hanging Pictures (Hammer etc.)
Okay, hanging pictures is perhaps more about having a good eye for it. We have all seen pictures that have been hung crooked. This becomes more likely when there is a string or wire on the back rather than a hook fitting.
To hang up a picture we can put a nail or screw into the wall. A nail is used for stronger support when a hook is not used. Most pictures are put up with a nail. This requires a hammer for the job. After you have checked that you are not banging into any electrical cables by using a detector device, or just know that part of the wall has no wires housed behind it, you will look towards a suitable hammer. You will want a small one for this job, so one with a small face for striking. This will ensure that you do not hit everything around as well as the nail. The aim is not to put a dent in the wall but just to drive the nail in.
A small sturdy claw hammer will be good for pounding in the nails and for removing them if required. You should look to get two hammers – a small, lightweight one for delicate picture hanging tasks and a more heavy-duty one when more power is required.
Then, rather than just nail directly into the wall it is recommended that you place a piece of cardboard against the wall and nail directly over the point that you have marked on the wall. As soon as the tip of the nail is standing on its own, you can remove the cardboard and then continue hammering until your nail is firmly in place and your picture will be properly held.
Other tools useful for picture hanging include a stud finder, measuring tape, and a spirit level to ensure that your eyes are not deceiving you.
Unblocking Toilets (Plunger)
DIY is not only about hanging pictures or making things to fit small spaces perhaps, it is also about the ongoing maintenance of your property. Unblocking toilets is one of those jobs and useful to do yourself to avoid a plumber’s charges. The call-out charges alone can put a significant dent in the family budget.
You will be pleased to know if you have trouble deciding that there are 3 plungers to choose from. There is the common sink plunger or cup plunger, the toilet or flange plunger, and the accordion plunger. It is a difficult one because you do not want to buy all three just in case but, on the other hand, you want to unblock your toilet quickly so that people can use it again. So, let us think about which is the most useful and universal by discussing all of their features.
The common sink plunger simply consists of a straight wooden handle and a rubber cup. They only work on flat surfaces, so you can rule it out as a plunger to use on curved toilet bowls.
The flange-type toilet plunger also has the flexibility to fit any drain. It is similar to the above in design but also has a soft rubber flat that will fold out from inside its cup. This fold-out flap will fit well within curved toilet bowls and provide the suction required to unblock them in the majority of cases. It should be noted that due to cross-contamination you should not alternate between the toilet and other uses for it. But then, why would you, this one can be used solely for unblocking your toilet. It is a good piece of kit to have to hand for that purpose.
The Accordion plunger is manufactured from hard plastic so will produce a lot of force. It is not easy to use but will create a good vacuum seal over where it is plunging. It may scratch because it is plastic, so you will more than likely want to opt for a rubber plunger instead.
So, on balance, the flanged toilet plunger would seem the best one to have readily to hand in preparation for any toilet blockages that might occur. Of course, you might discover, having plunged the toilet, that this has not solved the problem fully, therefore they may still be an issue with your pipes or sewer line. Should this be the case, you may wish to get a professional out to see if this can be fixed, or whether you may need to consider something like Trenchless Sewer Replacement in order to solve the problem and get things back to normal.
Leaking Taps (Spanner)
Another plumbing job that we often attempt to manage ourselves is to sort out a leaking tap. However, if you prefer to DIY, without calling professionals like those at https://www.metrovancouverplumbing.ca/, then you will need not only a spanner to change the washer on the tap, but also one to turn off the water before we attempt the job. So, this leads us to need the right spanner in both cases. It can be useful once you have found suitable plumbing spanners to store them under the sink so that they are there whenever a washer needs changing. That is unless you are likely to need them inside your toolbox for another job.
The most common box spanner wrenches that are used for dealing with plumbing fixtures and their connecting pipes are the sizes 8mm, 10mm, 15mm, 22mm, 28mm, 32mm, 38mm, etc. They go up in those sorts of measurements. This allows you to choose a spanner that best fits your situation by providing a tight fit for better traction and leverage.
So, whether we are hanging pictures or attending to plumbing matters, we should think about just what tools can help us to tackle jobs with greater ease and achieve more pleasing or faster results. By knowing this, we should not have to call anybody out to help us and can save money in the long term by then having the tools for our next job of that kind.
