15 Tools That Every Homeowner Should Own

Have you ever wanted to work on a project at your home, or needed to fix something, but you didn't have the tools to do the job? I've compiled a short list of basic tools for that every home owner should have for basic home maintenance.

1. Duct Tape.

I know, it's not really a tool, but it has got to be the handiest stuff around. You don't have to be MacGyver to know this stuff is awesome. Originally manufactured to keep moisture out of ammo boxes during the second world war. Very handy because its water resistant and very sticky.

2. Respirator/dust mask.

Keep simple dust masks on hand for your sanding projects, sweeping out the garage, or anything where small particulate particles can be inhaled. Keep a respirator for when your working with chemicals that can be toxic. Always check manufacturing labels before using chemicals to see what they recommend.

3. Wire Cutters.

Besides the obvious they are handy for cutting zip ties, small nails, and a variety of other things that are too tough for your regular sissors.

4. Screwdriver Set.

A basic screwdriver set will have at least 4 drivers. A large and small version of a flat head and phillips.

5. Claw Hammer.

A good hammer is a must if your going to hang a picture, chisel grout, or pry something apart. A 16oz. size is a good all around hammer for home maintenance.

6. Safety Glasses.

Use them anytime there is a chance of something flying into your eyes.

7. Torpedo level.

Use this when your hanging your pictures so you can keep them level. There are many different kinds and sizes. The standard is about six inches long.

8. Hack Saw.

Used for cutting metal objects such as pipes, bolts, brackets. They look flimsy but they will cut the hardest metals. Blades are replaceable so focus on a quality frame.

9. Tape Measure.

Make sure you get one that locks, and is at least 25ft. long. Remember, measure twice, cut once.

10. Flash Light.

Always keep a flash light with fresh batteries. You never know when you're going to need it. I find a rechargeable one is best.

11. Caulk Gun.

Caulking is the process of sealing up cracks and gaps in various structures and certain types of piping. Caulking can provide noise mitigation and thermal insulation, and control water penetration. Caulk should be applied only to areas that are clean and dry.

12. Adjustable wrench.

Also known as a crescent wrench. Adjustable wrenches are somewhat awkward to use and can damage a bolt or nut if they are not handled properly. However, adjustable wrenches are ideal for situations where you need two wrenches of the same size. Screw the jaws all the way closed to avoid damaging the bolt or nut.


13. Slip Joint Pliers.

Use slip-joint pliers to grab hold of a nail, a nut, a bolt, and much more. These types of pliers are versatile because of the jaws, which feature both flat and curved areas for gripping many types of objects. There is also a built-in slip-joint, which allows the user to quickly adjust the jaw size to suit most tasks.

14. Combination Wrench Set.

One end of a combination wrench set is open and the other end is a closed loop. Nuts and bolts are manufactured in standard and metric sizes and because both varieties are widely used, so you’ll need both sets of wrenches. For the most control and leverage, always pull the wrench toward you, instead of pushing on it. Also, avoid over-tightening.

15. Plunger.

A clogged sink or toilet is one of the most disturbing problems that you will face. With a plunger on hand, however, you can usually remedy these troubling plumbing issues relatively quickly. It is best to have two plungers -- one for the sink and one for the toilet.

This isn't a complete list of every tool you could use, but it should get you started on a basic tool kit.

Holiday Safety

The winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and an increased risk of fire and accidents. Precision Property Inspections recommends that you follow these guidelines to help make your holiday season safer and more enjoyable.

Holiday Lighting

• Use caution with holiday decorations and, whenever possible, choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant and non-combustible materials.
• Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials, and do not use candles to decorate Christmas trees.
• Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings, and replace damaged items before plugging lights in. If you have any questions about electrical safety, ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next scheduled inspection. Do not overload extension cords.
• Don't mount lights in any way that can damage the cord's wire insulation. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples--don't use nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.
• Keep children and pets away from light strings and electrical decorations.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
• Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
• Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
• Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground-fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

Decorations

• Use only non-combustible and flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel and artificial icicles of plastic and non-leaded metals.
• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
• In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp and breakable, and keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children.
• Avoid trimmings that resemble candy and food that may tempt a young child to put them in his mouth.

Holiday Entertaining

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range.
• Provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays, and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet).
• Test your smoke alarms, and let guests know what your fire escape plan is.

Trees

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "fire-resistant."
• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches, and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break.
• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators and portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
• Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
• Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.
• Make sure the base is steady so the tree won't tip over easily.

Fireplaces

• Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.
• Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten.
• Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

Toys and Ornaments

• Purchase appropriate toys for the appropriate age. Some toys designed for older children might be dangerous for younger children.
• Electric toys should be UL/FM approved.
• Toys with sharp points, sharp edges, strings, cords, and parts small enough to be swallowed should not be given to small children.
• Place older ornaments and decorations that might be painted with lead paint out of the reach of small children and pets.
  

Children and Pets

• Poinsettias are known to be poisonous to humans and animals, so keep them well out of reach, or avoid having them.
• Keep decorations at least 6 inches above the child’s reach.
• Avoid using tinsel. It can fall on the floor and a curious child or pet may eat it. This can cause anything from mild distress to death.
• Keep any ribbons on gifts and tree ornaments shorter than 7 inches. A child could wrap a longer strand of ribbon around their neck and choke.
• Avoid mittens with strings for children. The string can get tangled around the child’s neck and cause them to choke. It is easier to replace a mitten than a child.
• Watch children and pets around space heaters or the fireplace. Do not leave a child or pet unattended.
• Store scissors and any sharp objects that you use to wrap presents out of your child’s reach.
• Inspect wrapped gifts for small decorations, such as candy canes, gingerbread men, and mistletoe berries, all of which are choking hazards.
  

Security

• Use your home burglar alarm system.
• If you plan to travel for the holidays, don’t discuss your plans with strangers.
• Have a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home.

Why is my gas bill so high??!!!

Now that winter is here you may be wondering why your gas bill is so high. Obviously, if you have a gas furnace your bill is going to be higher than it was during the summer time, but there may be some ways to save few bucks.

First off, keep the exterior doors and windows closed. Heat escapes at a very rapid pace and the cold comes right in. If I didn't know any better I would say my house was a vacuum sucking all the cold air from out side. So just keep the doors and windows closed as much as possible.

Second, check the weather stripping around your doors. That's easy, just feel with your hand around the whole perimeter of the door. Chances are you can feel a little bit of air coming in. The fix is easy. Just go to Lowe's or Home Depot or any other hardware store and look for a weather stripping kit. They are so simple to install. Just pull the back off the tape and stick it on. You can also replace the weather stripping on the jamb.

Third... Lets be honest, how long has it been since you replaced your furnace filter? depending on the type you use, 30 days maybe the max you should keep it in there. If you don't replace your filter regularly you are causing extra strain on your system. It has to work harder and longer to move the amount of air needed to keep your house at a constant temp. So do yourself and your central air system a favor, replace the filter. Trust me your don't want to replace your system prematurely.

Lets talk insulation.. How old is your home? Have your ever been in the attic?

Adding insulation to the attic is relatively easy and very cost effective. To find out if you have enough attic insulation, measure the thickness of the insulation. If it is less than R-30 (11 inches of fiber glass or rock wool or 8 inches of cellulose), you could probably benefit by adding more. Most U.S. homes should have between R-30 and R-60 insulation in the attic. Don't forget the attic trap or access door.

If your attic has enough insulation and your home still feels drafty and cold in the winter or too warm in the summer, chances are you need to add insulation to the exterior walls as well. This is a more expensive measure that usually requires a contractor, but it may be worth the cost if you live in a very hot or cold climate. If you replace the exterior siding on your home, you should consider adding insulation at the same time.

You may also need to add insulation to your crawl space or basement. Check with a professional contractor. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/insulation.htm

Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 12% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient model. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/water_heating.html

These are just a few quick tips to help keep your utility bill down this winter.

Getting Ready for the Professional Home Inspection

I actually found this article on a web-site for a local real estate agent. So I can't take credit for writing it. There is a link at the bottom of the page.

Getting Ready for the Professional Home Inspection

Home cleaning is a routine activity for many. However, special effort has to be put in when preparing a place for a home inspector visit, in order to make it as appealing as possible. All the efforts that you invest in maintaining your home are rewarded when you make it through the home inspector's scrutiny. To get a positive response from the home inspector you need to run your own examination first. You need to take care that no mildew stains or odors are present in and around your residence. The walls and floors are favorite targets for home inspectors and hence, you need to make sure that they are free of dampness or cracks which might shelter insects.

Here is a list of the basic things that you need to check before you present your house for home inspection:

Make sure the gutters around your house are all tidy and in good working condition. Not only should they be free from garbage but also be free from any leakage and have all cracks repaired.

The branches of trees surrounding your home are properly trimmed and none of them touch your roof. This will help give the exterior of the house a neat and clean look.

Ensure that all downspouts have diverters beneath them.

Keep your appliances spotless, especially the oven and see to it that the stove top burners work well. Vacuum cleaners, mixers, grinders, washing machines and other home appliances should be cleaned regularly to prevent them from choking when you take them out for use.

Tighten all the kitchen cabinets, doors, handles and knobs.

Tighten the toilet fixtures as the sanitation of the house is most important when it comes to maintaining a clean and hygienic home.

The air conditioners and heaters need to be serviced at regular intervals to keep them in proper working condition. They need to be checked and have their filters changed before operation if they have been idle for a long period of time.

Oil and tighten the hinges of all the doors and windows of the house to stop them from creaking every time you open or close them. Well fitting doors and windows are not only more convenient and secure, they also help insulate the house against drafts.

In case you have an attic and you have turned it into a dumping ground, then ensure that you clean it up and check the insulation level.

Your garage door should open and shut properly and the auto reverse should also function without you having to struggle with it.

All the lighting fixtures need to be checked and replaced or repaired in case any of them has burned out bulbs. The electrical panels and circuit breaker configurations should be in accordance with the house's lighting needs. External receptacles, and those located in damp areas such as bathrooms, need to be wired to ground fault circuit interrupter circuits (GFI).

All smoke detectors need to be tested and their batteries replaced if needed.

Cover any exposed soil in the basement with plastic sheets to keep the levels of moisture in the house down.

Ensure that the roof has no damaged shingles and have no moist rudiments underneath them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kris_Koonar

Now I didn't write this article, but that doesn't matter. I felt it was important to post because it actually tells what a home inspection is about. If home owners were to go over this list and do what is suggested it will make the home inspection go a lot smoother and faster.