If there’s one thing we learned from being stuck at home it’s that we were not nearly prepared enough! Be it broken light bulbs or sticking drawers, unexpected issues can quickly become overwhelming when you don’t have the tools to fix them. Investing in a few essentials for your home repair kit can make the stay-at-home period much smoother, allowing you to easily overcome a whole lot of problems. Here’s what we recommend getting hold of.
For everyday use
If you’re only investing in the minimum, some everyday items are your absolute must-haves. Start with those you already have lying around, such as scissors and duct tape. To take your kit up a notch, get hold of a utility knife and some super glue as well. Utility knives in particular allow you to cut through wires, thick tape, cardboard and other hardy materials, facilitating a lot of repairs. Super glue might not seem indispensable at first, but as soon as you break the handle off your favourite mug you will realise how handy it can come in!
For visibility
The first time you buy a lamp for your home, make sure to get hold of a replacement light bulb on the same day. This will save you an annoying emergency trip to the store further down the line, when your light bulb suddenly breaks and you realise you don’t have a replacement. To make sure you are never left in the dark, keep a trusty flashlight in a safe place of your home and make sure you have enough batteries to run it.
For accuracy
Home repairs will often require you to measure your surroundings and ensure that your materials are levelled. A tape measure is of course crucial in any household, be it to track the growth of your child or to get the correct dimensions for your new furniture, but it will also come in handy during repairs and home maintenance. For works that require levelling, such as attaching shelves, a level will be your new best friend.
For intensive works
While scissors and a flashlight might be enough for simple home repairs and maintenance, you will occasionally have to undertake more intensive works. If you can’t get hold of a professional and the repairs are urgent, it’s handy to have a well-stocked tool box at home. This doesn’t need to include anything fancy and only really requires the basics, such as a hammer, pliers, a wrench and a screwdriver. Make sure to also have a few of the smaller bits and pieces stored away in your box, particularly screws, nails, nuts and bolts.
For a quick fix
Every now and again, you will come across very minor but annoying repairs. Small holes in the wall left by old screws and drawers that get stuck while opening will start to get on your nerves despite being seemingly tiny issues! Thankfully, a bit of spackling paste can fill any hole in the wall without much fuss, while silicone-based lubricant (such as the popular WD-40) can help you “unstick” drawers, windows, doors and locks.
For safety
When you’re shopping for your toolkit, don’t forget that all these repairs are best carried out with some safety measures. Sturdy work gloves in particular are important, as you don’t want to end up gluing your fingers together or hurting yourself with any of the equipment. If you decide to do some more intensive home repairs, a mask and safety glasses to protect your lungs and face are also a good investment.
Image courtesy of Jacqueline Macou
