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The demo tools are available because we’re in full force demolition mode here at Nest. Although what’s going on right now could be more accurately described as “hell week.” The hubs weren’t a frat kind of thing, but I think my efforts to get this beast of a DIY project up and running 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 a bit of an atypical, demolition is actually one of the most fun parts of any renovation project. It’s fun as long as you have the right demo tools. Today, we’ll be sharing our basement renovation progress and the top ten tools to always use during any renovation project. But first, a reminder of where we left off with the basement from hell when we last checked in. I think it’s even WORSE now.
First of all, we need a couple of WELL DUH items. These are the tools/supplies we shouldn’t even mention. And if you’re NOT interested in using them, then hope OSHA won’t stop at any of your DIY project sites.
This item is only used AFTER your demolition project. We would NEVER recommend drinking and DIY simultaneously. (And I’ll head straight to confession after this post. And I’m not even Catholic.)
But in all seriousness, be reasonable, people. Don’t drink or use power tools, climb ladders, operate heavy machinery, recreate 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 needed for different aspects of your demo project. Don’t talk yourself into being frugal and just looking for one. Trust us, you’ll want to have both around.
*Sledgehammer = tool that, when used, will allow you to feel like a superhero/get revenge on that ex-boyfriend who broke your heart in 1998, etc. It’s like anger management therapy with no copay.
*Sawzall. This power tool is invaluable on almost ANY demolition project. It will help you cut through 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 an electrical demo, this is a great tool to have. Once you turn off the breakers you “think” feed the wires you need to cut, use this tool to make sure. Just touch it to the wire and if it beeps then you know there is still electricity in the wire. In which case, you need to go back to that panel and turn off a different breaker. This is one part of the demo that 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 renovating life, but now I can’t live without it… this tool is great if you need to do surgical, selective or “micro” style demolition. Once you have this tool, you will find 1000’s of uses for it, trust us. We’ve used it to cut through caulk when trying to remove trim, trim the bottom of door frames, get a small section of drywall out without a big mess, cut plastic pipe in tight spaces, etc.
*Contractor bags. Not your standard trash bag. These things will hold up to 40+ pounds of broken tile flooring and won’t rip at all. You can never have too many of these bags and they are a lifesaver when it comes time to clean up that mess you just made.
* Posts of extensible work and plastic painters. Working on a big renovation, especially while you LIVE in the house, can get VERY dusty and messy. We use these telescoping work poles along with painters plastic to make temporary plastic barrier walls to protect the rest of the house from dust. And it works GREAT. Trust me when I tell you that this little system can save your sanity when demoing or changing boards. The dust these projects can create is CRAZY, so put those marbles away and put up some plastic boundaries.