Home improvement for the weekend do-it-yourselfer is hard enough due to time constraints, resources;and well let's face it, skill.
One of the biggest mistakes a weekend DIY makes is ignoring the importance of safety procedures and tools.
In their haste to get the job done, they ignore simple safety steps that take a little more time, but create an environment that allows for a better result.
They also leave some of the most important tools in the tool shed.
These tools are not the most glamorous, they are not plugged in or started with a pull cord, they simply hang on peg boards in garages all across the country; waiting to be called upon to do their task.
What are these procedures and tools? Here is a list of simple precautions and equipment that will make home remodeling a safer experience for the do-it-yourselfer: · Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.
· Use the right tool for the job.
· Examine each tool for damage before use.
· Operate tools according to the manufacturers' instructions.
· Provide and properly use the right personal protective equipment.
Perform regular maintenance to ensure your tools are working properly.
Be sure to clean all your tools after each job and inspect them for wear and/or damage that might have occurred during usage.
For example: · When using a table saw or circular saw, clean the blade after usage and inspect to see if there is excessive wear.
A dull saw blade can result in binding and kick back that can be very harmful and sometimes fatal.
· Nail Guns should be oiled and cleaned with each usage.
Never attempt to clear a jammed nail gun while still connected to an air hose.
These may seem like obvious procedures, but in our haste the little things get overlooked.
Using the right tool for the right job; sounds simple right? How many times have you stood on a chair, especially one that swivels, and attempted to screw in a light bulb or hammer in a nail? Or cut a board with a circular saw by laying it across your thigh, instead of using a solid cutting base? These actions are dangerous, especially when you have ignored the first rule of keeping your tools in proper working order.
Reading instructions are not most men's strong suit, myself included.
When it comes to power tools, however, ten minutes of reading can save you a whole lot of misery down the road; plus when you learn the right way to use your tools, it makes whatever project you're working on more enjoyable.
Protective equipment and procedures are the biggest tool in your safety arsenal: · Goggles · Ear Protection · Proper Footwear · Gloves All of these provide a level of safety that is taken for granted.
Goggles are replaced with squinting eyes, ear protection is forsaken because we are not in our later years when the damage truly shows up, or it's summer time and flip flops are more comfortable while you are chopping wood or climbing ladders, the list goes on.
Truth be told, one of the main differences between the professional craftsman and the weekend do-it-yourselfer is the attention to detail, and this is especially true when it comes to safety precautions.
Through years of experience, a true craftsman has learned the value of properly working tools and takes the necessary steps for completing a project safely.
If the contractor you hire is standing on a railing, cutting a rafter with a sawzall while not wearing goggles, you have done a really poor job in choosing your home remodeler.
A great place to go to find out more on safety procedures and tools is the Occupational Safety & Hazard Administration's website.
Just because you are a weekend Do-It-Yourselfer, doesn't mean you have to be a danger to yourself and your family.
Take the added time to work smartly and safely, it will show in the end results.
Whatever your next project is, good luck and be safe.
When in doubt, hire a professional home remodeler or landscaper and save yourself time, stress and money.