The demo tools are available because we are in full force demolition mode here at Nest. Although what is happening at the moment could be more accurately described as “week of hell”. Hubs weren’t some kind of frat, but I think my efforts to jump-start this beast of a DIY project might amount to hazing. And I have to think that being hazed by your own wife has to be the worst kind of hazing.
And while this has been an outlier, demolition is typically one of the most fun parts of any renovation project. Fun as long as you have the right demo tools, of course. Today, we’ll share our basement renovation progress and the top ten tools we always use during any renovation project. But first, a reminder of where we left it with the basement of hell the last time we checked in. I think now it’s even WORSE.
First of all, we need a couple of WELL DUH items. These are the tools / supplies that we shouldn’t even mention. And if you are NOT interested in using them, then hope OSHA doesn’t stop at any of their DIY project sites.
This item is only used AFTER your demolition project. We would NEVER recommend drinking and DIYing simultaneously. (And I’m going straight to confession after this post. And I’m not even Catholic).
But in all seriousness, be reasonable, people. Don’t drink and use power tools / climb stairs / operate heavy machinery / re-enact that Three Stooges scene with a pair of 2x4s etc.
* A wrecking bar and a crowbar are similar. A wrecking bar is just bigger. But both are required for different aspects of your demo project. Don’t be convinced to be frugal and just go for one. Trust us, you’ll want to have both close.
* Hammer = tool that when in use, will allow one to feel like a superhero / get revenge on that ex-boyfriend who broke his heart in 1998, etc. It’s like anger management therapy with no copayment.
* Sawzall. This power tool is invaluable in almost ANY demolition project. It will help you cut frames, nails, screws, pipes … just about anything that gets in your way.
* Voltage tester. If you are going to undertake a project where you will need to demo some electrical components, this is a great tool to have. Once you turn off the breakers you “think” power the wires you need to cut, use this tool to make sure. Just touch the wire and if it beeps, you know there is still electricity through the wire. In which case, you should go back to that panel and turn off a different breaker. This is a part of the demo you DO NOT want to mess with or mess with.
* Multi-Max oscillating tool. I was introduced to this tool at the end of my renovation life, but now I can’t live without it … this tool is great if you need to do a surgical, selective, or “micro” style demolition. Once you have this tool you will find 1000 uses for it, trust us. We’ve used it to cut through the sealant when trying to remove trim, trim the underside of door frames, remove a small section of drywall without making a lot of mess, cut plastic pipes in tight spaces, etc.
* Contractor bags. It is not your standard garbage bag. These things will hold over 40 pounds of cracked tile floor and won’t break at all. You can never have too many of these bags and they are a lifesaver when it comes time to clean up the mess you just made.
* Extendable work posts and plastic painters. Working on a major renovation, especially while LIVING in the house, can get VERY dusty and messy. We use these telescopic work posts in conjunction with painters’ plastic to make temporary plastic barrier walls to protect the rest of the house from dust. And it works VERY WELL. Believe me when I tell you that this little system can save your sanity when show or sheetrocking is happening. The dust these projects can create is CRAZY, so save those marbles and put in some plastic boundaries.