We here on Handyman On Call believe that you should hire a handyman for most of your home repairing needs.  However, we do believe that some handyman tools are essential for your home. These tools will allow you to fix simple fixtures or can be used to aid your handyman while performing difficult repair tasks.  Here are five such tools:

Safety Goggles: Safety goggles, for obvious reasons are immensely important handyman tools; they offer a lot of protection while being very cheap to buy at the same time. If you are a DIY enthusiast, it is imperative that you have safety goggles ready in your home at all times, if you are not a DIY enthusiast, you should have one just in case.

Handyman Tool Kits: Nowadays, there are a lot of Handyman tool kits originating from various companies available at supermarkets. Usually, they come with about 10 different types of everyday necessary tools such as scissors, hammers, anti-cutters, measuring tapes, etc. Overall, these kits are great and offer something for people from all walks of life.

Flashlights: You might think that you are better off without a Flashlight in the 21^st century, but you are very wrong! A flashlight is something that should be inside all homes all around the world. And no! You certainly cannot substitute your smartphone for a flashlight! Nowadays, there are diverse selections of flashlights available at every supermarket, but when you are buying a certain flashlight, make sure that it has options to change brightness setting; it is water resistant and has an anti-roll design.

Line Laser Tools: There are a lot of tasks which require precise alignment and leveling and although, it may sound quite easy to align things in line, it’s actually not! Anyone who has fitted parallel speakers set at a distance on a wall knows how excruciatingly difficult it can be to align two things by oneself; however, to make lives easier, companies such as Bosch have designed line laser tools which allow you to align things in a straight line without breaking much of a sweat.  It is one of the most simple, yet useful handyman tools that are out there.

Magnetic Wristband: If you fix things on a regular basis, I am sure that you have a really tough time accounting for all your screws and bolts and there may have also been a few instances where you had to buy new ones to replace the lost ones. Well, not anymore! Magnetic wristbands are simple yet, ingenious innovations of the 21^st century which enables you to keep all your screws, bolts and nuts in stuck to your wristband while you work.

While it is always advisable to let a professional chimney cleaning and repairs company handle the cleaning and maintenance of your heating chimney, you may be able to do minor cleaning of your chimney at home. However, it is important to know as much as you can about the job before you attempt it. This article will answer some of the basic questions you may have about cleaning out your chimney.

Why should you clean your chimney?

A dirty chimney will affect not just your energy bills but is a major fire hazard as well. Creosote, a tar-like substance can build up on the walls of your chimney and is extremely flammable. A clean chimney will also ensure that all the by-products of the fire are vented out of the house efficiently.

What tools do you need to clean your chimney?

You will need a chimney brush to start. A chimney brush is circular and has long and strong bristles that can scrub out the most stubborn chemicals that have built on the sides of your chimney. A long pole or rope to hold and move the brush through the length of the chimney is also needed. You also need some safety equipment like goggles and a mask to make sure that the dust does not get into your eyes or mouth. You should also get hold of a flashlight. A fireplace cover, tarp or cloth covers are also needed to protect the furniture in the room.

What cleaning products can you buy to clean the chimney?

If you have major creosote build up, you may consider getting hold of a creosote cleaner that will make it easier to remove the gunk after application. They come in spray bottles or tubs and some are even available in a powder form. You can sprinkle the powder into your fire which will move up into the chimney and turn the creosote into ash. Chimney cleaning logs are also available that you can use in your fireplace. These have some additives that increase the efficiency of the fire and also help in reducing the smoke and creosote in your chimney. This will make scrubbing the deposits a lot easier.

Make sure that you know how to use each product properly and understand how to perform the job safely and efficiently. Professionals can always inspect and clean out your fireplace and chimney and ensure that they job is done well.

If you are thinking about putting in a gym in your home, you may be considering the options for the flooring. Here are some of the best flooring materials to use in your home gym.

Rubber tiles

While many flooring products claim to be rubber, you should go for virgin rubber floor tiles. These tiles virgin rubber and not recycled rubber. They are soft and easy on the knees and feet as you work out. They do not absorb moisture and are also very easy to clean which makes them ideal for the floor in your gym. Since they are not made from recycled rubber, you do not have to worry about the odors that recycled rubber can sometimes produce. However, they are one of the pricier options in this list.

Cork

Cork is another popular option at the moment. It is a very environmentally friendly product and is soft which makes it great for gym flooring. It is decent at absorbing impact which makes it good for the joints when working out.  It is also an inexpensive option but is prone to tearing if heavy equipment is dragged across it without precautions.

Foam

EVA foam tiles are also available that are easy to install and are great for a home gym. Foam is light weight and cheap and absorbs impact well. The mats can be found everywhere and come in sets of interlocking tiles. However, be careful when using weights on the tiles as dropping the weights can lead to them bouncing back up and causing injury.

Horse Stall Mats

Rubber mats that are intended for horse stalls are one of the best options when it comes to home gyms. They are used in professional gyms extensively and are made of heavy, dense rubber. They are great for the joints and are very inexpensive. However, they are heavy and do not interlock as easily as other tiles, so installation may prove to be a problem. Hiring professionals to carry and install the mats is recommended, but you can always get a friend to you help you move these mats into place.

It is important to have soft flooring in your gym to make sure that your joints are kept healthy as you work out. Durability is another major concern as many flooring materials can get damaged when used under heavy weights. Get advice from a professional or a friend with a gym to make sure that you make the right choice.

If you are thinking of fencing your yard in, you may be wondering about the options that you have. This article will explain some of the common types of fences you can use to fence your property.

Wood

Wood fencing is one of the most popular types of fencing and is better at providing privacy than security. They are best used in suburban neighbourhoods and are great ways to set boundaries for pets and children. The two common types of wood fences are wood panel fencing and split rail fencing. Wood panel fencing comes pre fabricated in 6 feet or 8 feet sections that are 4 to 6 feet tall. Split rail fencing gives a country or rustic look to your property and is a great way to create visible boundaries.

Vinyl

Vinyl fencing has many advantages over wood in that it does not rot, fade and is extremely resistant to the elements. It also comes in a variety of colors and textures which makes it easy to find the product that fits your property the best. The panels are also rackable and can be used on slopes on your property. They require very little maintenance and are one of the more affordable options available.

Chain link

Chain link fencing is one of the cheapest ways to fence in your property. It is great for keeping pets in and unwanted pests out. It is usually made from galvanized steel which are linked to terminal posts that are set in concrete. You can buy chain link on rolls of 50 feet which can be found in heights of 3 to 12 feet. There are also rolls available of vinyl coated chain link that comes in green or black and is more resistant to the elements.

Decorative metal

Metal fences are also available that mimic the appearance of wrought iron but are made of steel or aluminium that has been powder coated. They come in a range of styles and are prefabricated which make this kind of fencing easy to install. They are also very resistant to wear and tear and are durable.

A professional can advice you on the choices available to you and the costs associated with each option. While some fences can be easily installed at home, some will require professional installation to make sure that it is sturdy and fulfils the needs of the property.

There are several methods to make a small room seem bigger that an interior designer will use. Here are some of the tips and tricks that can make the smallest spaces seem larger that you can use during home decoration.

An experienced Interior designer will space out the furniture

One of the tricks that an interior designer will use to make a room seem larger is to leave spaces between different items of furniture. While some interior designers may recommend pushing the furniture against the wall, floating large items like sofas can achieve a better effect. You can add a thin console behind the sofa. Similarly, the interior decorator may also tell you to angle the bed. Leaving empty spaces around furniture will make the space seem roomier.

An interior designer will use colour

Another favourite trick for an interior designer is using light shades to paint the walls. This gives the room a light and airy feeling leading to the appearance of a larger space. Colours such as cream, light greys and white are great options for smaller rooms. Using a monochromatic colour scheme can also work well. Often, an interior designer will use shades of one colour to decorate a room to give it an airy feel.  Adding some focus pieces to the ceiling will also give the illusion of height and airiness in a room.

Interior designers choose furniture carefully

Often, an interior designer will recommend pieces that can have multiple functions. This will allow you to put fewer items in the room and not feel like you are missing functionality. A large and sturdy ottoman can also be used as a coffee table. Similarly, vintage trucks can be used as tables as well as for the storage space inside. A professional interior designer will also recommend items that fold away which can be stowed when not being used to keep the area clean and streamlined.

Mirrors can make a room seem airier

A mirror is a very popular item for an interior designer to use to make a room seem larger. They can be used in a variety of ways. Large wall-to-wall mirrors can add to the look but you can also go for multiple smaller mirrors in a salon like style to get the same effect. It is important to make sure that you do not over-do it with the mirrors as they may sometimes detract from the effect. The mirrors will add light to the room immediately and make the space seem lighter and airier.

Accessories can make a room larger

There are many accessories that an interior designer can use to make a room look and feel larger. Adding plants to a room will keep the air drier and cleaner which can make a room seem airier and less stuffy. Similarly, using different textures can add to the area feeling larger as the eye is drawn to the different pieces. Light accessories like wicker furniture and baskets also help to make a room look lighter and roomier.

An experienced interior designer will use these tricks to convert a small space into a roomier living area. There are many options available that can fool homeowners and a visitor alike into thinking a room is larger than it is.