Perhaps my favorite tool in my tool pouch that I use on every single inspection is a ratcheting screwdriver with twelve different bits. There are many different styles, sizes, and brands of a screwdriver. This one tool can be used to do so many things around your house.
Screws become loose as hinges open and close, as attic stairs are pulled down and put up, as electrical wires get hot and cool, and they can rust, deteriorate and loosen. If a screw becomes too loose, the wood can become deteriorated and then other repairs may have to be made. If a screw is too loose on a pull-down attic stairs, the stairs can break or come apart and serious injury can occur. Toilet seats can fall off due to a loose screw. Doors may not latch or open / close correctly with loose screws.
Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to take a screwdriver or two (one flat head and one Phillips head) and go through the entire house and simply tighten screws. It will surprise you how many screws may be loose in your home. Will you go on a screwdriver mission with me? One tip to be especially mindful of … don’t overtighten the screws! You can strip out the wood or place into which the screw is inserted.
Get a Phillips head screwdriver and a flat-head screwdriver. Let’s start in the garage. In an article like this, there is no way that I could possibly mention every single screw in your house, but this article should help you see many of the possibilities around you in your house.
In your garage, there may be a pull-down stairs into your attic (or it’s inside your house). Pull it down and check the hinges and nuts and bolts. Chances are that the screws will take a flat head screwdriver. Turn the screws on all the ladder connections. You may need a small set of pliers or wrench to hold the nuts in place. Make sure that they’re all snug so the ladder is in good condition for ascending and descending into the attic. Every garage is so different with all sorts of things with screws. Go around the garage and look at everything and simply turn the screwdriver so that the screws are snug.
You may or may not be comfortable doing this one, but the electrical service panel is often in the garage (or outside). The #1 cause of fires in a service panel is a loose screw. Screws can become loose with the wire and breaker connection. The dead-front cover should be securely in place. All the screws on the breakers should be checked periodically. If you’re not at ease tightening screws in and on your breaker box, call a licensed electrician. Be safe!
Go to the kitchen and bathroom and anywhere where there are cabinets. All the holes in every hinge on the cabinets should have a screw. These screws easily become loosened. On your toilets, pop the covers open over the plastic screws on the toilet seats and tighten. Remember, don’t overtighten… just enough to be snug.
Door knobs, locks, drawer pulls all have screws that get loose. If they remain loose, they can damage the hardware, wood, and / or become stripped. If a door knob or dead bolt hardware is loose, it will generally have two Phillips head screws that can be tightened. You may have to pry off (with the flat head screwdriver) a trim cover to get to the screws to tighten them.
This is all just for starters. Take a walk into every room and just look around – switch plates and receptacle plates, hinges and hardware of many kinds, window locks, shelving, all kinds of accessories, and more. Everywhere you see a screw, see if it’s snug or loose and adjust accordingly. Then go outside and do the same thing. It doesn’t take long to go through an entire house.
If you have a son or daughter, take them with you and have them follow you on your screwdriver mission. It will be a great teaching opportunity. And after you’re done, sit back and enjoy a better maintained home. Stay snug my friends!
