Tips to keep your home healthy

22 Tools Every Homeowner Should Own

March 28, 2025/0 Comments/in House Tips/by admin

Owning a home comes with responsibilities, including routine maintenance and unexpected repairs. Once you have your home inspection by Middle Tennessee Inspections there will be times that you will need to do those little repairs. Having the right tools on hand can save you time and money. Here are 22 essential tools every homeowner should have:

1. Claw Hammer

A good hammer is one of the most important tools you can own. Use it to drive and remove nails, to pry wood loose from the house, and in combination with other tools. They come in a variety of sizes, although a 16-ounce hammer is the best all-purpose choice.

Claw Hammer

2. Screwdriver Set

It is best to have four screwdrivers: a small and large version of both a flathead and a Phillips-head screwdriver. Electrical screwdrivers are sometimes convenient, but they’re no substitute. Manual screwdrivers can reach into more places and they are less likely to damage the screw.

Screwdriver Set

3. Adjustable 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.

4. Tape Measure

Measuring house projects requires a tape measure — not a ruler or a yardstick. Tape measures come in many lengths, although 25 feet is best. Measure everything at least twice to ensure accuracy.

Tape Measure

5. Torpedo Level

Only a level can be used to determine if something, such as a shelf, appliance or picture, is correctly oriented. The torpedo-style level is unique because it not only shows when an object is perfectly horizontal or vertical, but it also has a gauge that shows when an object is at a 45-degree angle. The bubble in the viewfinder must be exactly in the middle — not merely close.

6. Wire Cutters

Wire cutters are pliers designed to cut wires and small nails. The side-cutting style (unlike the stronger end-cutting style) is handy, but not strong enough to cut small nails.

7. 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, 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.

8. Utility Knife

Utility Knife

Perfect for opening boxes, cutting materials, and small DIY projects, a sharp utility knife is invaluable.

9. Pliers Set

A good set of pliers, including needle-nose and slip-joint pliers, will help with gripping, cutting, and bending materials. 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.

10. Cordless Drill

A cordless drill with a set of drill bits makes hanging shelves, assembling furniture, and making repairs much easier.

11. Level

Bigger than a torpedo level. To ensure pictures, shelves, and furniture are installed correctly, a level is a necessary tool.

12. Stud Finder

Avoid costly mistakes by using a stud finder to locate wall studs before drilling or hammering into walls.

13. Flashlight or Headlamp

Middle Tennessee has a lot of power outages. None of the tools in this list is of any use if you cannot visually inspect the situation. The problem, and solution, are apparent only with a good flashlight. A traditional two-battery flashlight is usually sufficient, as larger flashlights may be too unwieldy.

flashlight

14. Adjustable Pliers

Great for plumbing work, gripping large objects, and other heavy-duty tasks. 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.

15. Hex Key (Allen Wrench) Set

Many furniture pieces and appliances require hex keys for assembly and maintenance.

16. Hacksaw

A hacksaw is useful for cutting metal objects, such as pipes, bolts and brackets. Hacksaws look thin and flimsy, but they’ll easily cut through even the hardest of metals. Blades are replaceable, so focus your purchase on a quality hacksaw frame.

17. Safety Gear (Gloves, Goggles, and Ear Protection)

Protect yourself from injuries by keeping safety gloves, goggles, and ear protection on hand.

For all tasks involving a hammer or a power tool, you should always wear safety glasses or goggles. They should also be worn while you mix chemicals. Gloves and ear protection are always useful.

18. Tool Box

Keep your tools organized and easy to access with a sturdy toolbox.

By having these essential tools, homeowners can handle a variety of maintenance tasks efficiently, saving time and money in the long run.

19. Plunger

A clogged sink or toilet is one of the most inconvenient household problems that you will face. With a plunger on hand, however, you can usually remedy these plumbi

ng issues relatively quickly. It is best to have two plungers — one for the sink and one for the toilet.

20. Electrical Tape

Used to insulate wires from touching each other and to prevent shocks

21. Duct Tape and Electrical Tape

This tape is extremely strong and adaptable. Originally, it was widely used to make temporary repairs to many types of military equipment. Today, it’s one of the key items specified for home emergency kits because it is water-resistant and extremely sticky. It also comes in colors!

22. Super-Glue

Just handy

Fire Extinguishers – Be Prepared, Be Safe

August 5, 2024/0 Comments/in House Tips/by admin

Purchasing Fire Extinguishers: A Home Inspector’s Guide

At Middle Tennessee Inspections, I always stress the importance of being prepared for emergencies. One essential tool every home should have is a fire extinguisher. If you’re in the market to purchase one, here are some tips to ensure you make the right choice for your home.

Why You Need a Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are your first defense against small fires, potentially saving your home and loved ones from disaster. They help contain fires before they spread, giving you time to call for help and evacuate safely.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

fire extinguisher types

When purchasing a fire extinguisher, it’s crucial to know the different types available. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Class A: Suitable for ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth.
Class B: Designed for flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, and paint.
Class C: Used for electrical fires involving wiring, circuit breakers, and appliances.
Class D: For flammable metals.
Class K: Specifically for kitchen fires involving cooking oils and fats.

For most homes, a multi-purpose ABC extinguisher is the best choice, covering the majority of fire risks you’ll face.

Features to Consider

Size and Weight: Ensure the extinguisher is easy to handle. A 5-pound extinguisher is a good size for general use.
Ease of Use: Look for models with clear instructions and easy operation. In an emergency, simplicity is key.
UL Rating: Check the UL rating, which indicates the extinguisher’s effectiveness. Higher numbers mean greater capacity to fight fires.
Rechargeable vs. Disposable: Rechargeable extinguishers can be refilled after use, while disposable ones need to be replaced. Rechargeable models may have a higher upfront cost but can be more economical long-term.

fire extinguisher

Where to Buy

You can purchase fire extinguishers at most home improvement stores, online retailers, and specialty safety equipment suppliers. Some popular options include Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and local hardware stores.

Placement and Maintenance

Placement: Install extinguishers in easily accessible locations such as the kitchen, garage, and near any fireplaces. Ensure everyone in the household knows where they are and how to use them.
Maintenance: Regularly check the pressure gauge to ensure it’s in the green zone. Inspect for any signs of damage or corrosion. Most extinguishers need servicing or replacement every 5 to 15 years, depending on the model.

fire extinguisher parts

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Remember the PASS acronym:

Pull the pin.
Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle.
Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

Final Thoughts

Investing in a fire extinguisher is a small step that can have a significant impact on your home’s safety. Make sure to choose the right type, place it strategically, and maintain it regularly. Being prepared can make all the difference in an emergency.

Stay safe and be prepared!

Have you recently purchased a fire extinguisher? Share your experiences or any tips you have in the comments below. Let’s help each other stay safe!

#HomeSafety #FireExtinguishers #FireSafety #MiddleTennesseeInspections #HomeInspection #ManchesterTNChamber #TullahomaTNChamber

Landscaping Increases your Property value

March 6, 2022/0 Comments/in House Tips/by admin

LANDSCAPING HELPS

Whether you’re looking to sell your house or just want it to look like a million bucks lawn care and landscaping is a great way to add curb appeal to your property.

The most obvious benefit of lawn care is that you’ll get to enjoy your lawn in its most beautiful form. A great-looking lawn can be an awesome gathering place for friends and family. Perhaps a more enticing benefit for some is the promise of a higher property value. A great-looking lawn is the first impression for potential buyers. This can help you move your house off the market faster, and ideally at a higher price.

Greenery

There are many tips to keeping your lawn looking great, and one of the biggest ones is maintaining your trees and shrubs. To further increase the resale value of your home, consider adding trees and shrubs to your yard. When well maintained, this type of greenery can increase your property value by up to 15%.

Maintaining this greenery is essential to keeping your yard looking great. One of the more important landscaping tips you can get is to keep your shrubs and trees pest-free. Managing these pests can take stress and pressure off of trees and let them look healthier and more appealing to your potential buyers. Giving your shrubs and trees and healthy environment to thrive is one of our top landscaping tips.

Professional Lawn Care

These days, everybody is busy. After a long work week, the last thing you want to do is spend hours tending to your lawn every weekend. Instead, let professionals take care of it so that you get all the benefits of a beautiful yard without the hassle of doing it yourself. Professional, licensed lawn care technicians are able to care for your lawn all year long so that come summer, it looks as good as it possibly can.

Coming home each day to a well-manicured lawn is about more than that feeling of pride of ownership. When it comes time to find a new home, a healthy lawn will make your property more attractive to potential buyers by adding curb appeal.

Increase Property Values

A professionally maintained lawn does more than just attract interested buyers. It can also increase the value of your home. And it’s a good investment, too. It has been estimated that lawn care provides a 300% return on your investment. How is that possible, you may ask. Consider the selling price of a nearby home similar to yours, but with a poorly maintained lawn. Now take your lawn care cost, triple it, and add it to your house price. You’ll see the price of your house, considering your beautiful landscaping, is definitely worth it.

Attic Doors

February 15, 2022/0 Comments/in House Tips/by admin

Recently I inspected a property here in Coffee County, TN with a newly installed attic hatch. At Middle Tennessee Inspections we always take a lot of InfraRed (IR) pictures and I’m glad I did here. The attic was insulated, but the door was not. It lacked a ‘weatherstrip

Attic Door using IR Camera

ping seal’ to close up the gap between the door and the frame. A quick trip to Lowes or Home Depot might save a lot of money for the homeowner.

Attic hatches have a hidden issue in that they may look to be in good working order but actually still leak a lot of energy. Even if the woodwork and paint on an attic hatch are immaculate, it can still be a gigantic heat leak. Although your attic is probably insulated, there’s a strong possibility your entrance hatch isn’t. In the Summer, it will radiate heat into the home, and in the Winter, it will release heat and let warm air out. Despite the fact that attic hatches can be the source of massive air leaks and radiant heat loss, they are rarely repaired.

Here are two suggestions for saving energy and you some money. Increase the thickness of the insulation on and around the door itself. Then, and this is frequently the most important step, close the space between the door and the hatch to prevent air flow and heat loss. For this example, we’ll utilize a standard plywood hatch with finish molding over the rough-cut hole.

Fiberglass insulation on the top of the door will help, but a better long-term option is to construct a box out of solid insulation that fits over the framed opening of the door, as well as any folded steps if you have them. Rigid insulation is more effective than fiberglass in terms of sealing the box. Plus, when you open the hatch, none of that fiberglass will fall into your house. There are commercially available alternatives. For attic stair insulation, your local hardware store has everything from ready-made reflective foil tents to complex covers manufactured from thick expanded polystyrene (EPS). You can also readily purchase pre-cut kits at hardware stores or on-line. They come in a number of sizes to fit a variety of attic door styles. Over time, that initial investment will save you a lot of money.

The weather-stripping on the hatches is frequently missing or insufficient. Even if it was fitted, there’s a good chance it’s been damaged as a result of use over time. When they dry out, they lose their effectiveness as well. Examine the weatherstripping and gaskets surrounding your attic hatch’s opening. If they appear to be damaged or dried out you should consider replacing them. It’s possible that they’ll simply rip away from the frame but if the weatherstripping was fastened with nails or screws, simply pull them out with a screwdriver or plyers. A wire cutter works to remove all of the fasteners as well. Two inch wood stays should be installed all the way around the opening if the attic hatch sits directly on the molding. These stops allow you to apply fresh weatherstripping with more ease. Hook and loop fasteners are a great idea to secure your door and hold it close to the weatherstripping.

After removing the old weatherstripping, or if there was none to begin with, you’re ready to install new weatherstripping. Cut it to fit snuggly on all four sides along the bottom edge of the trim as well as the other three edges. It’s much easier to use self-adhesive weatherstripping. When finished, completely close the door/hatch and press down on the gasket to create a complete seal.

Let the engineers and inspectors at Middle Tennessee Inspections assist you in minimizing your heating bills. We have the experience, knowledge, and equipment necessary to quickly diagnose problems and save you money.

Check out this great article for more information and some tips – https://ygrene.com/blog/property-improvements/7-ways-make-your-attic-more-energy-efficient