Hi! This is such a cool question. I had a few thoughts to contribute. I wasn't sure if you wanted me to include links specifically or not so feel free to reach out if you need that! An Air Shim One item that always gets a reaction when I pull it out is an air shim. It looks like a small, flat balloon, but it can lift and level heavy items like doors, windows, or cabinets once it's filled with air. It's like having a second set of hands on the job — I can make fine adjustments without calling someone over to hold things in place. It's also better than pry bars or wood shims which can leave scratches on surfaces. A telescoping mirror and light I find my telescoping mirror with an LED light has been a huge difference maker in the quality of myw ork, especially when working in tight spaces like behind faucets, vanities, or inside cabinets. It has helped me catch leaks or missed caulk spots among other issues, early so I could fix them right then and there. It seems small but has saved me from having to return to a job later. When you're a handyman/contractor, your time is valuable so this has earned it's keep many times over. An Oscillating Multi-tool (specifically for the question about a tool that every homeowner should own) I know an oscillating multi-tool isn't exactly a surprising pick, you would only need to perform cursory research to find someone raving about the usefulness of one. It's for a reason though, there aren't many tasks that it isn't a good solution for. It's one of those tools that quietly solves a hundred little problems that you would otherwise need a well-equipped tool box for.
What is an unexpected or surprising home improvement product that you use in home repairs? A thing that comes as a surprise tool for many is an innocuous little infrared thermometer. People may be familiar with it for cooking, but in home repairs it can help locate hidden HVAC leaks, diagnose insulation gaps and identify electrical circuits that are going to overheat before they actually might. In Des Moines winter projects, for example, I have used it to show clients just how much cold air is leaking around their window frames and after sealing even the smallest gaps can be a bigger hit on heating bills than replacing the furnace. What's a product in your toolbox that most people wouldn't expect you have? I never leave home without a flex borescope camera (small enough to drop down a drilled hole in drywall). A completion is a godsend for inserting right into wall surface tooth cavities, seeking pest problems with harmed or perhaps finding hid plumbing of which might otherwise demand cutting available often the reviews(fh) in square brackets. In a single rehab, it enabled us to pinpoint an active leak to a loose fitting behind a shower without having to gut the entire tiled wall. Do you have any hidden gem gadgets or tools for home repair that you'd recommend? My unsung hero — The Hyde 5 in 1 painter tool. Use it as a scraper, pryer, roller cleaner, can opener or light chisel. This is the one I keep in every ruck, because when you are on-site and working, there is nothing more valuable than a tools that can accomplish five different things in under five minutes. Do you have any weird home repair gadgets that you think are useful to homeowners? Like this one; magnetic stud finders are in that "its weird but it works" territory. Simple things like a magnet on the end of a string or handle work terrific—and without the issues an electronic stud finder might suffer if there is dense plaster or wiring in your walls. One of the DeWalt screwdrivers, in an older Des Moines home where nothing inside a wall is ever quite where you want it to be. What's one Amazon product you frequently use in projects or home fixes? This is where my (and your) Gorilla Grip non slip work gloves enter the picture. Notch at all expensive, but they provide possibly the best mix of grip, dexterity and protection for roof to tile work. I have purchased dozens of gloves and these are the only ones I reorder by the case.
One of the best tools in my kit is a $15 magnetic wristband I bought on Amazon. It's a simple cuff lined with strong magnets. There's always a point during a ceiling light replacement where you're stuck holding the fixture with one hand, and suddenly every screw and wire nut is just... somewhere. On the floor. In your pocket. Balanced on the ladder. You don't notice how much time you spend reaching or rechecking until you've done it five times in a row. I started using a magnetic wristband to hold the small stuff. It doesn't change how the job gets done, but it stops all the pointless back-and-forth. I wear it when I know I'm going to be working overhead or moving between tools. It just keeps things where I can grab them. This is the one: https://www.amazon.com/MagnoGrip-311-090-Magnetic-Wristband/
Moss Pure is perfect for this. We work with corporate offices and luxury homes to transform spaces and improve your air quality with our living moss air filters and stress relief devices. Moss Pure is a brand new invention and product category within the biophilic design space. Moss Pure was created at a startup competition at MIT (MIT Lebanon Challenge) in June 2020 where it won First Place Startup. During the competition, I realized that no other company was using 100% living moss. Most moss wall and decor companies use preserved moss or dried moss, which are no longer living. Preserved moss looks fake and falls apart easily, fades, is low quality, and constantly needs replacing. Because of these disadvantages, Moss Pure was created. Moss Pure is the world's only company to use 100% live moss as an air filter, stress relief device, and aesthetically pleasing decor piece for your home and office. No watering, sunlight, or maintenance is needed. Yes that's right no watering or irrigation needed. Our live moss survives within our patent pending invention. It's important to note that we are not just adding live moss to a frame or decor piece. If you were to just add live moss to a decor piece, it wouldn't live for more than a few days and it wouldn't be an air filter. It's our patent pending and award winning science that allows us to create a live moss air filter that doesn't need watering. Moss Pure has been tested for air quality by a certified U.S. laboratory. Each square foot of our live moss air filters capture 30% of carbon dioxide and 1.5 million particles of toxic pollutants, including dust and allergens, in just 2 minutes. We are the only plant based product with certified air quality results. Custom live moss wall: if you're looking to elevate your space to another level, you can opt for our custom moss walls. You can build a medium sized custom moss wall here (https://www.mosspure.com/product/custom-moss-wall-art/). if you're looking for even more design such as a logo or bigger piece, you can contact us and check out https://www.mosspure.com/live-moss-walls/. I will work with you one-on-one as your personal engineer and designer. Google drive link of products is here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1C2ETGBae5KPboGDRV4Nc6q93AcPNLyu3?usp=share_link. For more information, please visit www.mosspure.com.
The most effective home repair tools exist in unexpected forms. Dental floss exists as more than just a dental hygiene tool. The unsophisticated floss tool serves as my preferred solution to cut through sticky caulk and paint buildup on cabinet hinges which allows doors to operate without damage. The magnetic door catch stands as my preferred solution because it provides a compact system which snaps unstable cabinet doors into precise alignment to achieve a fresh look. A sash window spring balance tool serves as my primary solution to fix sticking windows because it provides effortless operation without requiring manual effort. A digital door lock gauge stands as my essential tool for installing locks because it enables accurate measurements which prevent costly reinstallation expenses. Every homeowner needs a silicone lubricant spray can for door and hinge maintenance because it provides smooth operation to doors and locks and sliders. U-shaped sliding locks function as childproofing devices by tightly securing odd-shaped handles to prevent accidents. A flexible magnetic pickup tool enables me to retrieve dropped screws and keys from restricted locations such as heavy appliances. A key duplicator machine stands as an essential tool because it enables you to create spare keys inside your home which prevents high locksmith fees during key loss incidents. These tools function as more than simple repairs because they represent small technological advancements which enhance the performance of homes. A guitar pick serves as an alternative door hinge shim that most home repair manuals would never recommend. A thin yet durable tool which enters tight spaces to stabilize doors without requiring any dismantling work. The application of clear nail polish to lock plate screws functions as a temporary fix that preserves screw accessibility for future adjustments without using permanent adhesives. Through years of testing I have developed unique solutions which demonstrate that complex problems do not require advanced tools since clever thinking and proper expertise can lead to effective solutions.
Hi there! I'm the founder of a women-owned residential interior painting company in NYC, and I'd love love contribute my perspective to your piece. Dana Leavy-Detrick Founder, Undertone Interiors https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaleavy/ undertoneinteriors.com dana@undertoneinteriors.com As a painter, I'm always focused on how the small details make a bigger impact within a space. There are so many simple and cost-effective DIY solutions (painting included) that can literally transform and add value to your space for minimal effort and money. These are some of my favorites: 1) Slobproof Refillable Paint Touchup Pen https://www.amazon.com/Slobproof-Refillable-Interior-Drywall-Furniture/dp/B0070XYWJA These touch up pens are great for when you need to make quick fixes to walls, trim, or furniture. Instead of breaking out the painting supplies, keep a tube filled with your paint colors to quickly rectify smudges, scratches, or discolorations really anywhere in your home. A lot of the turnoff with painting is the prep and mess involved, and these take that out of the equation. 2) GE Sync Color-Changing Smart Bulb https://www.amazon.com/GE-Lighting-Bluetooth-Replacement-Compatible/dp/B09489MQG5 I love these bulbs because they give you the ability to transform the lighting in your space simply through your phone / device, without the need for multiple lamps, light fixtures, different types of bulbs. You can control the temperature, brightness, color of your room in a more versatile and cost effective way. 3) ALL-IN-ONE Cabinet and Furniture Paint https://www.amazon.com/Paint-heathered-Durable-cabinet-furniture/dp/B0D1831V82/ Painting cabinets typically costs thousands of dollars, due to all the prep work involved in dissembling cabinets, stripping paint, priming, etc. I like this all-in-one solution that's time and money saving because you can paint your cabinets in a fraction of the time. The formula is designed to not require prior sanding or priming - it has primer and top coat built in, a high pigmentation that gives it a smooth, saturated finish. I wouldn't use it in place of traditional wall paint, but for something like cabinets or vanities that can be costly to paint or replace, it's a fast, cost-effective, DIY solution that gives you a big impact in a short amount of time. Please feel free to reach out if I can provide any additional info. Thank you! Dana Leavy-Detrick Founder, Undertone Interiors 347-971-1173 dana@undertoneinteriors.com