Two tools every home owner needs

• Posted on October 15, 2015
• by mikew
• in Fix It & Use It
• No Comments.

There are lots of important tools for home owners but there are two that I highlight when talking with clients. These are tools that I have found invaluable in my own home experience.

A good ladder. One of the best investments I made when I started home inspections was a Little Giant Ladder. I saw Al from Home Improvement pitching it in a TV infomercial. When I realized it could fit into the back of my 1983 Honda Accord I was sold. I’ve used it for my business but better than that I have used it for almost every home project. When it is fully extended and I’m leaning on the gutters it makes this 200 pound man feel secure. Like most of you I have altitude aversion (my head spins at high heights!) so I hate those ladders that bend and sway with each step. Not my ladder though. Today’s ladders are some of the best ever made – strong, light, sturdy. Every home owner needs a good ladder that can reach the highest light fixture, sit securely with an odd footing, and reach safe access to the gutters and roof.

A wet dry vac. It doesn’t need to be a monster size one but it needs to be one that is peppy and can easily suck up water. My son dropped an action figure in the toilet bowl and decided it was too disgusting to fish out. So he flushed the toilet and didn’t tell me what had happened. Our toilet kept backing up and the plunger would not dislodge the mystery blockage. My good friend, Mike the plumber, advised me to use my wet dry vac. Within two minutes I had sucked all the water from the toilet and heard the rattling of the action figure. Problem solved at no cost and my son was soon explaining. It has sucked up water spills and I have also used it to clean out gutters perfectly with no mess on the ground. In addition it is perfect for the car and other nasty things that my wife would never want the household vacuum used for.

Now both of these tools could be borrowed from your neighbor. That might be a good financial decision in the short term and a great way to get to know your neighbor. But when the water is flowing or Christmas lights need hanging there are no better tools to have nearby!