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Everything eventually breaks down. It’s an unavoidable part of life. But you can make the best of the situation by rolling up your sleeves and getting things done on your own. Sure, there are professional plumbers, carpenters, and builders that can handle the tougher jobs, but it’s best – if not for your soul, then for your wallet – to complete simpler tasks with your own two hands. Here’s a quick rundown of the 10 most crucial DIY skills everybody should know how to do.
1. How to use a drill
One of the most important DIY skills is using a drill. If you master this, then you can easily master a number of different DIY tasks from building your own furniture to mounting your own shelves. It’s crucial that you know the difference drills and drivers – a drill is used to create tiny holes by removing material from the workpiece, whereas a driver drives screws and other fasteners. We’d recommend getting yourself a handy driver-drill combo tool.
2. How to shut off the water supply
Without knowing how to turn off the water supply, a huge amount of high-pressure water may end up spraying your face when attempting to fix, repair, or replace pipes. All you need to do is locate the internal and external stopcock keys – valves that control water from into your home from the main supply. After shutting the valve, you’re free to tamper with the piping in and around your home without the risk of wasting water.
3. How to correctly use a hammer
If there’s one tool you need to know how to use, it would definitely be a hammer. Hammering a nail or fastener down isn’t just about whacking it as hard as possible. This will undoubtedly tire you out and leave your workpiece battered and unusable. Instead, hold the handle as if you’re shaking someone’s hand. Hold the hammer closer to the head for accuracy; holding it by the end of the handle will provide leverage for more powerful strikes.
4. How to wire a plug
It’s understandable if you’d like to leave electrical work to a professional electrician, but some jobs, such as rewiring a plug, can be done on your own. As long as the device is unplugged, you shouldn’t risk zapping yourself to the afterlife. The three wires are blue (neutral), brown (live), and yellow-green (earth). Connecting them to the correct terminal is simple: blue to the left, brown to the right, and striped to the top.
5. How to break down a door
This is a skill that you hopefully will never need to use but doesn’t hurt to know. If you’re alone at home and manage to lock yourself in the bathroom, both the door and your shoulder muscles will thank you for knowing this skill. Loosen the door frame by tapping the hinge pins loose. Grab the handle and lift. If all else fails, it’s time to go Bruce Lee on the door.
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