When you own a home, one of the best ways to maintain a sense of pride and personal responsibility is to take good care of it. Over the years, your home may fall into disrepair, often through no fault of your own. Whether you have leaks in the ceiling, problems with the plumbing, or broken windows letting in a draft, you will run into things that need fixing.

For larger problems, it may be a good idea to call in a professional, but for smaller repairs that you can handle yourself, there are some important tools that every mobile homeowner needs to ensure their home stays in stable condition.

Screwdrivers

Almost every project, problem, or renovation that you encounter will require the use of a screwdriver at some point. The two main types of screwdrivers are flatheads, which fit screws with a single straight line at the end, and Philips head screwdrivers, which have a small X-shaped drive on the head. Different projects regularly use different shapes and sizes of screws, so we recommend homeowners have a range of screwdrivers in their tool kit.

Hammer

If you plan on building anything in your home, it helps to have a hammer. Some of the most common and useful types of hammers are claw hammers, which allow you to hammer in nails and use the backside to remove nails when making corrections or dismantling a project. It may also be a good idea to have a sledgehammer with a heavier head, as this tool is ideal for tearing things down or performing extensive renovation tasks.

Level

Levels are an important tool for any home repair project because they help ensure your measurements are straight and accurate. Traditional levels are long, straight, solid pieces with a small amount of liquid inside; you can line up the bubble inside to ensure your surfaces or diagrams are lined up correctly. Whether you use a construction level or a plumb bob level, it’s always a good idea to keep things in order.

Duct Tape

An old saying states that every homeowner should have two things: duct tape and WD-40. If something is moving and it shouldn't, use duct tape. Duct tape is an affordable, powerful, water-resistant fastener that benefits pipes and hoses and acts as a temporary fix for small leaks. Duct tape is an invaluable tool that should always be available.

WD-40

The other important tool every mobile homeowner needs is WD-40 or a similar lubricant. If something isn't moving and it should, use WD-40. This helpful product works for rusted or corroded metal, helps lubricate hinges that are stiff or squeaky, and loosens pipes when performing plumbing jobs. WD-40 typically isn't good for long-term solutions, but it helps get things moving and makes it easier to start on larger projects.

Fasteners

Every homeowner should have a small chest or box dedicated to storing fasteners. Nuts, bolts, screws, nails, hooks, wall anchors, and other valuable items are available in a standard fastener kit. When you’re performing any sort of construction or modifications to your mobile home, you may find yourself in need of a specific fastener. Many fastener kits come with hundreds of pieces in many different shapes and sizes, so it helps to build a collection of units that match the construction of your mobile home in case you need to make some repairs.

Stepladder

The differences between a ladder and a stepladder are frequently debated. Typically, the main differences are that a stepladder can unfold to stand upright on its own, and a ladder has rungs for people to place their feet, while a stepladder has flatter steps. A readily available stepladder is helpful when replacing or repairing light fixtures or completing other hard-to-reach projects, such as cleaning ventilation fans or replacing air filters.

Stepladders come in various sizes, but a two-step model is ideal for reaching most areas in your mobile home. You may want a larger model or a traditional ladder when dealing with exterior work.

Adjustable Pliers

Pliers are beneficial tools for holding items in place and help crimp, bend, and cut various objects. Many homeowners invest in a good pair of adjustable pliers that allow them to control the size of the thing they’re grabbing.

Other helpful pliers to have around the hose are needle nose pliers, which are ideal when you're performing work with more delicate and precise objects like wires or bending thin metal pieces. If you need to tighten bolts or work with pipes, a good pair of pliers is an essential piece of hardware to have on hand. With a lot of your home's piping taking place under the house, protected by the skirting, it's always a good idea to have access to them and know what size pliers or wrenches you should have in your toolbox.

Caulk Gun

One occurrence you may encounter while living in a mobile home is losing heat or air conditioning through small cracks. Many of these problems occur around windows, ventilation, or lighting fixtures. Investing in a caulk gun that allows you to fill in these small gaps will help you maintain the temperature in your home and reduce your utility bills from overworked heating or AC systems.

A caulk gun is also a beneficial tool when working in your bathroom. Bathtubs and shower stalls may develop small gaps around the seams where water may enter. Moisture in your walls may produce mold, mildew, and other unfortunate side effects that could damage your home. You can fix these cracks with a proper sealant and lower the risk of damage to your bathroom.

Tape Measure

Whether you're working on larger reconstruction projects or trying to figure out the best way to reorganize your furniture, having a tape measure available is always a good idea for homeowners. You can use the tape measure to get accurate measurements of the width, length, and height of rooms or spaces throughout your home and the furniture that may occupy them. Precise measurements are an essential part of any home project.

For more information on mobile home parts and accessories and to see how you can improve your lifestyle in your house, reach out to Mobile Home Outfitters. We have a helpful catalog of replacement parts for any project and helpful blogs that will teach you where to start on your next project. For more information, feel free to reach out to a member of our team; we'll be happy to assist you.