10 Must-Have Tools for Homeowners
When you own your home, things are going to break. Unless you want to spend your money on visits from a neighborhood handyman, you’re going to need to fix them yourself. Luckily, you don’t need an arsenal of tools to handle most home maintenance fixes. These ten tools will cover most of your basic projects. Cordless drill. A cordless drill is a must-have for installing cabinets, drawer pulls, hinges, picture frames, shelves and hooks, and more. Whether it’s for do-it-yourself projects or repairs, you’ll use your cordless drill just about every month. Drain cleaners. Shower and bathroom sink drains are susceptible to clogs because of the daily buildup of hair and whisker clippings. You can use chemical clog removers like Drano, but they’re expensive and the lingering chemical scent is unpleasant. Instead, buy some plastic drain cleaners that can reach into the drain to pull out the clog of hair and gunk. You can purchase them on Amazon or at a local hardware store for a low price. Shop-vac. No matter how careful you are, spills and accidents will happen and there are some tasks that just can’t be handled with paper towels or a standard vacuum, like pet messes or broken glass. Loppers. Even the minimum amount of care for your landscaping will require some loppers to remove damaged branches, vines, thick weeds, and any other unruly plants in your yard. Flashlight. You’re going to want something a little more powerful than your iPhone flashlight when you’re in the crawlspace! Plunger. This is one tool you may not think to have on hand until you need it and at that point you don’t want to have to run next door and ask a neighbor to barrow. Measure tape. We’ve all heard the phrase “measure twice, cut once...” This applies to laying out furniture as well, so it’s helpful to measure first and buy later. If you’re looking to rearrange or bring in new furniture, keep this tool handy. Level. When it comes to finding a level surface, guessing is not an exact science. Whether you’re hanging a picture frame or a 60-inch plasma screen TV, you want to get it right the first time. Utility knife. You can use it to open boxes, trim the edges of the carpet or remove the paint around the windows. It’s something you appreciate even more when you have it. Hammer. Use it to attach a painting on the wall, to remove or pound nails or to even take down a wall. A hammer will last you a lifetime and more.
Swimming in Style- The Perfect Pool for You
The end of summer is a great time to start looking into getting a pool put in your backyard. For the next 9 months, you’ll have ample time to plan and build a water oasis for family and friends to enjoy next summer. But where do you start? The first step is choosing the type of pool that best suits all of your wants and that works in your space. For decades, there were two options: above-ground and in-ground pools, but so much has changed. Check out these enticing new swimming pool options. S T O C K T A N KIf you prefer something cozy, low budget, and easy to install-a stock tank may be the pool for you. These pools cost roughly a few hundred dollars, leaving the main expense to be the cleaning pump and supplies. This can be costly, however, because the metal may rust if not properly taken care of. Keep in mind that since they are metal pools, they absorb the sun rays naturally heating the water inside, sometimes more than you may want! Stock tank pools add a country feel to your space and can be in-ground or above-ground. You can build decks around them, or surround them in foliage for a more natural spring look. These pools are smaller and shallow in size, so if you’re into watersports and diving, a stock tank isn’t the one. If you’re a lounger, however, they’re just what the doctor ordered. M O D U L A RModular pools, also known as shipping container pools- are an innovative way to repurpose. They can be customized to fit your exact space, which can come in handy if your yard is rather small. They tend to be longer than they are wide and on the small size. Swimming and jumping is still safe and do-able in these pools, though! Installation is a breeze and can take less than a day and can be both in-ground or above-ground. Plus, these pools are often partially see-through, adding a unique aesthetic focal point to your outside space! Additionally, you can bring them with you if ever you decide to move to a new home. S A L T W A T E R Bring a day at the beach right to your backyard by implementing a saltwater pool. Saltwater can be added to any pool-type in place of chlorine. Saltwater is a more natural way of keeping your pool clean and many people believe they actually feel cleaner than traditional chemical pools. Plus, the strong scent and taste of saltwater isn’t present, so you just get the perks! Watch out for corrosion, however. Saltwater can actually damage pools made of certain materials with time. They require more upkeep than regular pools, and you’ll need a place to store all of the salt bags. I N F I N I T Y Infinity pools are the most popular type of pool in terms of aesthetics. They are ultra-sleek and make any backyard look luxurious. The water pours over the far side into a lower moat, giving the illusion of a seemingless edgeless pool that goes on forever, hence the name. The water flow recycles from the lower pit back into the main pool. Years ago, you only really saw them in mansions and at resorts, but they’re becoming more and more prevalent in backyards. They’re particularly perfect for homes with elevated yards and views. Infinity pools boast a hefty and long installation time, costing an average of $80,000, varying depending on size. Regardless, they are a guaranteed showstopper once complete!
5 Organization Rules to Live By
Organization can make all of the difference to a stress-free and beautiful home. Sometimes we avoid organizing because we think it will take too long to achieve anything. However, that's not the case if you follow these 5 rules! Categorize and contain clutter to create stunning spaces by following these realistic home organization rules that will get you organized in no time- and more importantly, stay organized.
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