The Ten Power Tools of Christmas

If you are a new homeowner and plan on doing remodeling and repairs you will certainly want to review the Ten Power Tools of Christmas. They include the tools that will be most useful to you as you make your needed and dream improvements. Our Santa is not magnanimous enough to deliver all of the tools to us on a single holiday and usually requires 10 years of gifts.

1. Air Compressor
2. 3-Nailer Combos (16-guage finish nailer, 18-gauge brad nailer, ¼ inch crown stapler) to use with your compressor
3. Shop Vacuum
4. Variable Speed Reciprocating Saw
5. Small Battery Powered Drill/Driver
6. Standard Size Battery Powered Drill
7. Quality 1” Wide Steel 25’ Measuring Tape
8. Compound Power Miter Saw
9. Table Saw
10. Palm Sander

Depending on Santa’s budget, the Measuring Tape may qualify as a stocking stuffer. But, your Measuring Tape is the one tool that will be used on every single job. It pays to buy the best. Now a Measuring Tape does not run on electricity, but by every other measure (please forgive the pun), it is a power tool.

Since it will take most readers several years to accumulate the full complement of these tools, I’ll review about one a month. That way, next Christmas or Hanukah, Santa can start delivering them one at a time. Or, if you are really good, you may receive them all. Evidently, I've never been that good, but it’s always best to stay positive.

Protecting Your Home From Water Leaks When You Are Away

This subject is close to my heart. I have been called many times by family members “watching” a house for a relative or friend who have a leaking ice-maker supply line or valve or a leaking washing machine supply hose/bib that I want to scream “Turn off your main water supply line when you leave for even an overnight absence!” (Unless, of course, you have other systems that require a supply of fresh water-then, at least turn off the individual valves to the ice maker or washing machine).

You should have a simple saddle valve that allows you to turn off your ice maker. You also should have a spigot-type valve for your washer supply hoses for shutting off both the hot and cold water supply. But, even turning off the valves doesn’t prevent the issue of a leaky valve.

Typical Saddle Valve

To safeguard your home from leaks, turn off the main supply at the water meter. Sometimes these valves, particularly if left unused for long periods of time, can leak when opening or closing the valve. The easiest way to shut off your main supply is to have a ball valve installed on the main supply line, right after the main shutoff valve. A ball valve requires that you just rotate a lever on the valve 90°. Ball valves rarely stick or leak and are very easy to turn off and on.

Typical Ball Valve