Contractors Say These Things Are Critical To Have In Your Home

While owning a plunger may seem obvious, that doesn’t necessarily mean any ol’ plunger will do a good job. Francisco Fuenmayor, handyman and home improvement expert at LocalProBook, has an affordable suggestion — this beehive-shaped plunger. He says “[...its] shape creates a better seal for powerful plunging, which makes it effective on both standard and modern toilets.” This is designed to work with older, low-flow toilets, as well as newer ones with elongated designs.

Don’t even think about trying to mount a television on your wall without locating the studs first. “Every home should have a stud finder for safely hanging heavy items,” explains Fuenmayor. But if you aren’t sure which stud finder to choose? He goes on to say, “The CH Hanson Magnetic Stud Finder is affordable, easy to use, and works reliably without batteries. This little tool can save you from accidentally drilling into electrical wiring or other hazards behind the wall.”

Plus, it’ll even detect screws, nails, and other metal bits in addition to studs, making it easy to avoid all sorts of hidden hazards.

Got a DIY project coming up? Then you’ll want to make sure you have a variety of versatile tools on hand in order to get the job done right. “A quality pry bar might sound odd as a must-have, but it’s invaluable for everything from removing baseboards to adjusting trim and even minor demolition,” Fuenmayor explains.

“[This one] is compact and powerful, ideal for DIYers who want to avoid damaging their walls or floors when doing small jobs.” The tempered steel frame ensures that it’s built to be put under pressure without warping — and three beveled slots give you options for how removing stubborn nails from wood, metal, and more.

While carbon monoxide detectors aren’t glamorous, it’s safe to say that they’re important to have in any home. “My first recommendation for any homeowner or renter is a carbon monoxide detector,” explains Niki O'Brien, operations manager at Custom Exteriors LLC. “While code requires them to be built into newer homes, older homes are often not equipped.” She goes on to say, “On a personal level, our alarm notified us because of a venting issue with our water heater. It highlighted just how important these alarms are! Carbon monoxide leaks can be deadly and are otherwise indictable.”

This particular detector doesn’t require any hardwiring during installation, as it comes with a pre-installed battery designed to keep it running for up to 10 years. Mounting it on a wall or ceiling is also a total breeze, as each order includes a mounting bracket, screws, as well as anchor plugs.

Speaking of tools to have around the house, don’t forget to invest in a quality tool kit. “I also think every homeowner should have a basic tool kit,” O’Brien tells Elite Daily. “You can find affordable ones online with a mix of common tools like a hammer, screwdrivers, and plyers. You can do a lot with just the most basic tools.”

With that in mind, this kit is worth a look. Each tool has been heat-treated for added durability, and features a chrome-plated exterior to help keep them from corroding over time. Everything comes packaged in a neat storage case — and the entire kit is lightweight enough that it’s easy to tote around your home.

With any luck you won’t ever need to use a fire extinguisher inside your home — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have one on hand anyway. “The first must-have that comes to mind being a GC is life safety,” explains Chris Hock, owner/CEO of Earth Saving Solutions. He goes on to recommend that you invest in “a couple of fire extinguishers, depending on the size of the house and how you use them.”

With its budget-friendly price, this fire extinguisher can help keep you safe without breaking your bank. It’s made from tough aluminum that’s impact- as well as rust-resistant — so there’s no need to worry about it staying in top form. Plus, the included strap makes it easy to hang up inside a cabinet or closet.

Hock also says that “[a] good medical kit is necessary” for anyone to have in their home, so why not grab this first aid kit? It comes with a wide array of bandages, antibiotic ointments, burn cream packets, and more, all of which come packaged in a handy zippered case. And since it’s relatively compact, you can easily fit it inside your glove compartment, bathroom cabinet, or nearly anywhere else you can think of.

Speaking of helpful kits, don’t forget to invest in an emergency preparedness kit while you’re at it. Hock says that “Amazon has tons of emergency preparedness kits for just about every situation [...]” — and this particular one comes with enough supplies to last you for up to 72 hours. Inside you’ll find bandages, glow sticks, rain ponchos, even food bars, water pouches, and more. Plus, everything comes packaged in a handy zippered pouch.

Power outages can be a real pain — especially when they happen at night. Hock tells Elite Daily that “I always keep a couple of flashlights throughout the house” — and these miniature ones are currently available for a steal. They’re made from military-grade aluminum that’s drop- as well as water-resistant, so there’s no need to worry about how they’ll hold up over time. Each order also comes with batteries included.

Fire extinguishers can create a mess if needed for the stove. Luckily, Hock has a clever alternative: fire blankets. He tells Elite Daily it’s “[...] a much better solution for extinguishing a fire in your kitchen.” This pack of two is made from flame-retardant fiberglass, and they’re just as effective when used on grease fires as they are if you use them as a shield against approaching flames. And unlike traditional fire extinguishers, these blankets will never expire.

Leaking water is one of the easiest ways to ruin any space in the home. Hock has a clever solution. He tells Elite Daily, “[You] can add leak detection in areas prone for leaking. This can be a great way to keep your home safe.”

With that in mind, this smart detector will send a notification to your phone if it senses that water is leaking. You can also set it up so that it lets out a loud alarm — and the waterproof design ensures that it’ll keep working in the event it gets wet from the leak.

A home that’s poorly insulated can end up with higher-than-usual energy bills. So if you’ve been feeling a draft lately? Ron Shimek, President of Mr. Handyman, a Neighborly company, has a recommendation. He tells Elite Daily, “Sealing gaps around doors and windows with weatherstripping and caulking can improve energy efficiency and reduce drafts.”

With that in mind, this weatherstripping is currently available for less than $10. The adhesive backing makes installation a total breeze — simply press it into place the same way you would with a giant sticker. It can also help soundproof your home in addition to insulating it against the weather outside.

If you’d like to go the caulk route for sealing gaps, consider opting for this silicone sealant from Gorilla. It helps keep water, air, and moisture out of your home, making it great for kitchens, bathrooms, or any other room. And since it’s mold- as well as mildew-resistant, it’s designed to securely maintain its seal for a good long time.

If you prefer the simplest insulating method of all, this draft stopper is an easy-to-install alternative that couldn’t be budget-friendlier. The adhesive strip at the top lets you press it right into place on the bottoms of drafty doors — no tools required. Choose from five colors: white, black, gray, brown, or transparent.

While your water heater is likely the last thing you’d think to insulate, that doesn’t mean you should overlook the idea. “Insulating your water heater can help maintain water temperature and reduce energy consumption,” explains Shimek. And since this roll of thermal insulation is so wallet-friendly, it’s worth giving a look. Installation is as easy as wrapping it around your water heater. And since it’s moisture-resistant, you can even use it outdoors if needed.

Got an energy bill that’s slowly been creeping upwards? Shimek has another easy fix. He tells Elite Daily that “a programmable thermostat can help you save energy by automatically adjusting the temperature based on your schedule.”

Not only does this particular thermostat allow you to set schedules that last for two, five, or seven days, but it also features built-in memory so that it will remember your settings in the event of a power outage. It even features smart response technology that learns how long it takes to achieve the proper temperature in your home so that it can turn on at the right time.

When was the last time you swapped out your air filter? Shimek recommends that you “change air filters regularly as clean filters can improve indoor air quality and reduce the spread of allergens and pollutants.”

With that in mind, these air filters come in a variety of sizes, making it easy to use them with nearly any furnace or AC unit. This two-pack definitely won’t break the bank — and many reviewers noticed that their allergies had lessened after installing them.

For another easy method of purifying indoor air, consider opting for an air purifier. Philip Rechsteiner, Principal at Rechsteiner Signature Homes, tells Elite Daily that they can “enhance indoor air quality,” which is “a must for healthy living.”

This particular air purifier features a powerful HEPA filter on the inside that removes up to 99% of airborne mold, viruses, smoke, allergens, and more. It’s large enough to use in rooms up to 1,000 square feet in size, and is ultra-quiet while it works. The best part? You only need to replace the HEPA filter once every year for best results.

Protecting your home against thieves is always a good idea. With that in mind, Rechsteiner suggests using a “smart security system” to “protect your home with real-time monitoring and alerts.” This SimpliSafe system is currently available for less than $200 — and installation is so easy that there’s no need to call a professional in order to get it up and running. Plus, each order includes one free month of professional security monitoring that can help you receive emergency services quickly if needed.

Sometimes the best upgrades are the easiest ones, like swapping old incandescent bulbs with smart LEDs. Rechsteiner recommends them because you can “schedule lighting for ambiance and energy savings” — though if you choose to grab these particular bulbs, that’s only one of their many features.

You can also use the downloadable smartphone app to switch them between more than 15 million colors, as well as adjust their brightness, turn them on/off, and more. If you pair them with Alexa or Google Home, you can even control them using convenient voice commands.

Got a backyard or patio that’s looking a little dull? Rechsteiner recommends that you “transform outdoor areas with quality seating, a fire pit, and weatherproof speakers.” With that in mind, this fire pit is made from a tough steel alloy, and comes with a mesh lid that helps keep sparks from popping out — and it has a surprisingly low price tag. Plus, the included poker makes it easy to adjust how your logs are sitting.

Now that you have a fire pit to sit around, it’s time to stream some music using this Bluetooth speaker. It has a wireless range of up to 66 feet — so you won’t have to stay glued to its side in order to keep your phone connected. The waterproof design also means you won’t have to worry if you leave it outside on a rainy day.

No patio or backyard is complete without a comfortable place to sit. Enter: this furniture set. All three pieces are made from sturdy rattan wicker, with a steel frame on the inside for added durability. And unlike some outdoor furniture, this set is designed to be split-, crack-, as well as fade-resistant.

You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg on new appliances. Instead, consider plugging your existing gadgets into some smart plugs. According to Rechsteiner, they “easily upgrade any appliance to smart control, enhancing efficiency” — and this four-pack of plugs is super budget-friendly. You can control them remotely, put them on schedules, and more using the downloadable Kasa app, and they also work with Alexa and Google Home.

While power strips can be a clever way to add outlets to your home, that doesn’t mean you can use just any old strip. Tate Leavitt, owner at Gemstone Lights, tells Elite Daily that “[A] must-buy product for home safety is power strips with surge protection, since it protects damages to electronic devices from surges.”

Consider replacing your old power strips with this gigantic option. Not only does it have surge protection, but it also boasts a whopping 18 outlets as well as three USB ports and one type-C port. Choose from two colors: black or white.

Tired of crud and food debris clogging up your kitchen sink pipes? Shu Saito, founder and CEO of All Filters, suggests investing in a sink strainer. He tells Elite Daily that it “[...] keeps solid material out of your plumbing pipes. In kitchen sinks, chunks of food, corrosive cleaning chemicals, or other unpleasant materials could find their way into your pipes without a sink strainer.” Though if your kitchen is in good shape, he goes on to say, “Bath sinks also need protection from the invasion of rubbish...Installing a sink strainer could save you a lot of money in plumbing bills.”

With its teeny price, this sink strainer may just be one of the most affordable items on this list. It’s made from rust-resistant stainless steel — and the silicone underside won’t leave scratches on your sink. There’s also no need to swap it out if you want to fill your sink with water, as a simple twist on the knob in the center closes up the strainer holes.

Solid proof that your strainer is working is bunches of food trapped inside. Cleaning it out, though, is no one’s favorite chore. To sidestep the mess, consider opting for these mesh bags. They fit inside your sink stopper, making it easy to remove all sorts of food debris without having to get your hands dirty — and each order comes with enough to last you many months.

Walking into your home to find a cluttered entryway rarely feels great. Saito tells Elite Daily that “[...] having an organizational system by the front door has been incredibly helpful. This can include mudroom-style cabinetry if your space allows or small, wall-mounted storage if your entry is tight.”

For example, this shoe rack can be customized to fit nearly any space, as the cube can be arranged into whatever shape you like. There’s enough space to store up to 32 pairs of shoes inside. And since each cube has a weight limit of up to 11 pounds, feel free to load them up with everything from heavy boots to delicate high heels.

If your entryway is too small for a large-scale shoe rack, consider taking a look at this wall-mounted option instead. Installation is as easy as pressing them into place on walls and doors using the included adhesive — no need for any tools. Plus, they work just as well holding sneakers as they do with heels, sandals, and more.

Coats, umbrellas, purses — this organizer has room for all sorts of items that commonly wind up strewn across your entryway. Five hooks give you ample space to hang up whatever you like, while the shelf on is perfect for displaying decorations or holding mail. Choose from three finishes: black, white, or brown.

Ideal for small entryways and small budgets, consider opting for this petite entryway key holder. The top shelf is large enough to hold mail, small decorations, and more, while five hooks underneath give you somewhere to hang keys. Choose from five finishes: black, brown, gray, white, or wood grain.

Excess humidity or moisture can cause untold amounts of damage before you’re even aware there’s a problem. “During a recent client cleanup, we found serious mold behind their designer wallpaper,” Evie Graham, cleaning expert at Waste Direct UK, tells Elite Daily. “Now I always recommend stick-on humidity meters. Last week, a client placed them in their kitchen cabinets upon our advice and discovered dangerous moisture levels from a tiny pipe leak they couldn't see.”

With that in mind, these miniature humidity meters are a total steal for the pair. Their compact size makes it easy to add them to tight spaces so that you’ll hardly even notice that they’re there — and they can also tell you the current temperature in addition to the humidity level in your home.

Excess humidity can also lead to mildew growth in your home. According to Graham, these pH pencils are an easy fix. “I found these after struggling with persistent bathroom mold,” she explains. “These markers show you exactly where cleaning is needed before any visible signs appear.”

They’re also incredibly easy to use — simply wet the surface in question with a little water, then stroke it using one of the markers. The marker ink will change colors to let you know what the pH level is. And if you remain unconvinced? Graham goes on to say “They've saved me hours of scrubbing and prevented deep staining.”

There are some gadgets that belong in every toolbox. Shreyas Sudhakar, CEO of Vayu Industries Inc. heating and A/C and founder of Heat Pumped, recommends a multi screwdriver. “It's worth spending a few extra bucks for one that ratchets!” he tells Elite Daily.

This particular ratcheting screwdriver from Klein comes with interchangeable pieces to tackle a variety of projects — seven driver bits, three power nut drivers, as well as one standard nut driver. Plus, both the shaft and bits are impact-rated so that they’re suitable for heavy-duty use.

Speaking of essential tools, Sudhakar also recommends that you invest in “a good tape measure, preferably one that auto locks” — like this one. The diamond-coated end piece is designed for an ultra-secure grip, plus a special barrier coating on the wide, thick tape is designed to make this last up to three times longer than traditional options.

Every tool box needs at least one high-quality hand drill. Though if you aren’t sure which one is worth your money, Sudhakar tells Elite Daily, “The Milwaukee M12 [tool combo kit] is a great option for a typical homeowner, and choosing the M12 system means that the batteries are compatible with dozens of different power tools (everything from angle grinders to leaf blowers).” Each kit comes with a powerful and compact drll/driver which feature brushless motors that deliver a shocking amount of power for its size. And since everything comes packaged in a neat travel case, you won’t have to worry about misplacing any parts.

If you’d like to DIY on a budget, consider taking a look at this affordable drill set. The nonslip handle on the drill helps you keep a firm grip when in use — and there’s even a built-in LED light to help you see exactly what you’re working on. Plus, each order includes a variety of drill bits to help you tackle jobs both large and small.

If you don’t have a second pair of hands to help you hold something, it’s not a problem when you have these vise grips. Sudhakar says that they “[...] can get you out of a lot of tight spots - they can squeeze and hold on to pretty much anything.” Their hardened teeth help them grip onto all sorts of items from any angle. And unlike some grips, these ones are made from tough alloy steel that’s been heat-treated for added durability.

A good tarp is one of those rare items that can come in handy when you least expect it. “Everyone, whether you're a renter or homeowner, needs to have at least a couple of large tarps in their storage area or garage,” says Austin Jewell, co-owner of Capitol Improvements. “With extreme storms happening more frequently, you never know when an old window seal will fail, or a tree branch will fall into a window.” And while the tarp can be used to cover a broken window, Jewell goes on to recommend that “you have a hammer and nails because you'll likely have to hammer the tarp to your home's exterior.”

This particular tarp is waterproof as well as dustproof, making it suitable for all sorts of situations. All four sides are folded and sealed with heat for added durability — and nylon ropes on the inside give it some extra reinforcement. Plus, metal grommets around the sides make it easy to tie down.

Don’t forget to grab this hammer to go along with that tarp. It’s made from tough, rust-resistant steel, with an ergonomic handle that fits comfortably in both hands. Each order also includes a 376-piece set of nails in varying sizes — and dozens of reviewers raved about how both the hammer and nails are a great value for the price.