Over recent years, we’ve encountered hundreds of ingenious products that are geared toward empowering homeowners to prevent or solve common household maladies. If you have the right tools, products, and materials in place, or on hand, you, the homeowner, can become more self-sufficient by being able to thwart and fix more everyday problems than you ever thought possible.

We’ve curated several innovative products that provide one or more of the following valuable benefits:

  • Help you proactively prevent damaging situations from arising
  • Enable you to put things back together
  • Provide temporary resolution until professional help is available

10 Invaluable Fix-It Products for the Home

  1. Adhesive Removers
  2. Drywall Repair Kits
  3. Duct Tape
  4. Durable Buckets
  5. Handsaws
  6. Ladders
  7. Moving Tools
  8. Super Strength Adhesives
  9. Tarps
  10. WD-40

Also see:

 

1. Adhesive Removers

Though any reliable adhesive remover has many uses, you may wonder what type of repairs would require the use of an adhesive remover. The standard practice of applying adhesive — often when making a fix — is to remove any previous adhesives and their remnants thoroughly.

TakeOFF Adhesive Remover product line white background

TakeOFF Adhesive Remover product line

Another common “fix it” scenario for adhesive removers is removing decals and taped posters from walls and furniture in a child’s bedroom. A good remover can prevent the need for sanding and repainting of affected areas. Adhesive removers are also huge time savers!

An example beginner homesteading skill is reusing glassware of store bought products by effectively removing all traces of annoyingly tacky glue. We especially like recycling large containers from our favorite brands of honey. If you end up accumulating more storage containers than you need, ask your neighbors if they could use some. You’ll be surprised by the uses they may have when they encounter your stash!

Our favorite adhesive remover is TakeOFF Adhesive Remover, an all-natural, environmentally friendly solution we discovered at the 2025 National Hardware Show. TakeOFF removes the most stubborn adhesives, glues, silicones and gunky materials, without harming surfaces. The bedroom of the inventor’s young son has proven to be a very effective R&D lab for the company!

Other reputable adhesive remover products include:

 

2. Drywall Repair Kits

Any home will eventually incur drywall damage of some kind that should be promptly addressed, not just for aesthetic purposes, but to maintain a cohesive protective interior envelope.

3M Large Hole 12 fl. oz. Wall Repair Kit

Repair steps using the 3M Large Hole Drywall Repair Kit
Image courtesy of 3M

Ignoring small holes or cracks can also allow pests (e.g. creepy crawlers), moisture and drafts to penetrate, leading to mold growth, rot, and other problems. Drafts, for example, will impact your energy efficiency and make it harder to maintain a comfortable, consistent temperature.

Here’s a list of a few popular drywall repair kits that are tailored for homeowners and widely available. These kits are all effective and beginner-friendly, ideally suited for addressing basic repairs such as: nail holes, dents, and small to medium punctures.

An alternative to a dry wall repair solution is a new innovative hanging product called HangNailz. With their patented “V-Barb” design, HangNailz is a one-person, no-tool, push-in-place drywall hook and anchor solution. What makes this a “drywall repair solution” is that the hanging anchors leave very small, easy-to-repair slits in drywall that can be repaired simply with a dab of paint.

Also see:

 

3. Duct Tape

Duct tape is a strong, flexible tape that can temporarily fix leaks, hold broken items together, or secure loose parts until a proper repair can be made. We maintain an inventory of a variety of duct tape types, depending on the needs of the job. One of the strongest in our arsenal is Duck Brand Extra Wide Advanced Strength, ideal for most household jobs.

Duct tape can even repair other valuable fix it products, with color matching, such as this tarp

Duct tape can even repair other valuable “fix it” products, with matching color, such as this tarp
Image courtesy of Duck Tape

Flexible Duck Tape sticks to and wraps around anything, and is easy to tear off and roll out without getting tangled up on itself the way many tapes do as you begin working with them. With a material strength of 62 pounds, Duck Tape can be doubled to hold upward of 120 pounds or tripled to hold 180 pounds. That’ll fix ya!

Duck Tape products are known for being easy to handle, as they can be torn by hand, and are well-sutied for repairs, crafting, and general household tasks. Their full line of tapes showcase the many types of applications for any household:

Gorilla is another highly-regarded brand of duct tape:

Also see:

 

4. Durable Buckets

Though buckets are typically associated with household cleaning and laundry chores, they should also be part of your plumbing kit. A conveniently accessible bucket can serve as a first line of defense when encountering sudden plumbing leaks, or when tending to basic plumbing maintenance chores such as clearing a clogged P-trap underneath a sink.

Rubbermade square blue bucket

Rubbermade square blue bucket

While awaiting for our kitchen sink drain line to be repaired a few years ago, we simply used a bucket to capture running water when washing our dishware by hand. Having seen the benefits of consistently pouring used dishwater on our outdoor plants, we’ve long since continued this process!

When choosing a bucket, we recommend focusing on the following key traits that best match your needs:

  • Durability
  • Dimensions
  • Handle Strength

You’ll want to have a bucket, or combination of buckets, that can fit underneath your sinks, fit in your bathtub, and fit in your kitchen sink. These buckets should also be strong and sturdy enough to be able to carry a bucket full of water inside your home without fear of spillage.

Here are two popular Rubbermaid buckets that are highly regarded for their durability and strength:

 

5. Handsaws

Trusty old handsaw being used to cut plywood

A trusty old handsaw being used to cut plywood

Every homeowner should own a handsaw, such as a compass saw or crosscut handsaw, for the following reasons:

  1. Quick Repairs: perfect for immediate fixes, indoors or outdoors, such as patching fences, removing storm-damaged limbs, cutting plywood for temporary patching, cutting out a damaged wall section.
  2. Versatility: no reliance on a power source (gas or electric) and lightweight to reach hard to reach areas. Different types exist for different tasks: e.g. crosscut saws for wood and branch cutting, compass saws for precision cuts and narrow access areas
  3. Cost-Effective with Low Maintenance
Steel compass handsaw 12 inch by Ace Hardware

Steel compass handsaw 12 inch by Ace Hardware

We’ve enjoyed using a 12” steel compass saw from Ace as it has been especially versatile and easy to use. Its narrow profile and light weight makes it very convenient to use, especially when climbing on a ladder, meandering up steep hillsides, or needing to extend to reach distant branches.

Stanley FATMAX 15 inch Carbon Steel Handsaw

Stanley FATMAX 15 inch Carbon Steel Handsaw

Here are two handsaw models to consider:

 

6. Ladders

Choosing your first ladder as a homeowner can feel overwhelming, but focusing on ease-of-use, versatility, and safety will ensure that it can serve as a valuable tool for everyday use, including common household repairs. If you currently do not own a ladder, we recommend focusing on indoor usage first, and then consider a larger version for outdoor applications.

Safe Frame Step Ladder by Little Giant in garage

A Safe Frame Step Ladder by Little Giant in a garage, ready to be put to use

Here are important features to review when choosing a model to be your trusted, everyday ladder:

  • Size (6-foot): Provides a working height of about 10 feet (standing 4 feet up, plus arm reach), sufficient for standard 8-9 foot ceilings in most homes. Compact enough for indoor maneuvering and storage in closets or corners.
  • Step Ladder Design: stable A-frame structure with wide steps ensures safety and ease of use — no adjustments are needed such as with multi-position ladders
  • Material Type: Aluminum is lightweight and rust-resistant, and convenient for frequent moving. Fiberglass is heavier, but non-conductive, making it safer for electrical work.
  • Tool Tray/Platform: A top cap or platform can hold tools, paint cans, or screws, freeing hands for tasks like patching drywall or installing shelves.
  • Weight Capacity (300 lbs): will support most users, plus repair materials, ensuring durability for frequent use

A quality ladder will boost your ability and confidence to handle common repairs — think tightening cabinet hinges, patching holes, and clearing debris from gutters — without having to rely on a handyman.

Another invaluable usage of any ladder is the ability to see and assess situations in virtually all areas of your home, inside and out. A critical aspect of making effective repairs is assessing the situation upfront. Even if you are unable to make a repair, being able to describe and take photos and videos of a problem can be invaluable for assisting a professional to make the final repair.

Here are three popular 6-foot models to consider:

Here are four specialty ladder models to consider:

 

7. Moving Tools

Being able to move heavy, bulky objects without risking injury or causing further damage, is invaluable for being able to attend to repair issues promptly. Keep in mind that not having the right tools can unnecessarily delay repairs, as the presumption may be that you cannot reach an impacted area until you hire a handyman.

Here are three types of moving tools that will empower you to be “stronger” and more resourcesful:

 

Furniture Sliders

Furniture sliders are coasters placed underneath the feet of furniture to make it easy to move cumbersome pieces across carpets or hardwood floors, while protecting surfaces and requiring minimal strength or skill.

Popular furniture slider products include:

 

Hand Trucks and Dollies

When choosing a hand truck, dolly, or combo device, we recommend focusing on the following key traits that best match your needs:

  • Ease of Use
  • Versatility
  • Weight Capacity
  • Portability
  • Compact Storage
Stanley Foldable Steel Platform Truck

Stanley Foldable Steel Platform Truck

Popular hand truck and dolly models for the home include:

 

Rhino Cart

The Rhino Cart is a rugged, all-terrain moving dolly designed to handle heavy loads with ease, boasting a capacity of up to 2,000 lbs. It features a patented design with eight heavy-duty urethane wheels and a telescoping frame that adjusts from 6 to 46 inches, allowing it to adapt to various object sizes. Made from specialized aluminum alloy and reinforced polyresin, it’s built to conquer uneven surfaces, such as thresholds, gravel, and hard-packed dirt, outperforming traditional dollies.

A Rhino Cart lifting and moving a bulky piece of furniture

A Rhino Cart lifting and moving a bulky piece of furniture
Image courtesy of Rhino Cart

The Rhino Cart is especially popular for the following types of uses:

  • Furniture Moving
  • Appliance Relocation
  • Outdoor Projects
  • Storage Organization

 

8. Super Strength Adhesives

The term “Super Glue” was originally a brand name, but it has long since evolved into a generic descriptor for any type of fast-acting, powerful adhesive. Many fast-acting adhesives rely on Cyanoacrylate chemistry, known for their rapid polymerization and strong bonds in the presence of moisture.

Clear Flex Glue by Flex Seal works underwater

Clear Flex Glue by Flex Seal

A reliable fast-acting powerful adhesive is perfect for quick, small fixes like reattaching broken ceramic pieces, plastic items, or even wood, with minimal effort or skill required.

Flex Glue by Flex Seal is perhaps one of our favorite “go to” fix-it solutions as it bonds to almost anything with very little work or curing time.

Other popular super-adhesive brands include:

When choosing a glue, be sure to purchase the type best suited for your intended usage and materials.

Also consider:

 

9. Tarps

Tarps are another invaluable fix-it resource for homeowners, as they can provide protection for your home during emergencies (think leaky roofs, windows and decks during heavy rainstorms), as well as protection for your belongings when being stored outside. Tarps are also commonly used for paint projects, indoor and outdoor.

Roof damaged by storm covered with blue tarp

Roof damaged by storm covered with blue tarp

Even if you do not own recreational vehicles or heavy equipment that need to be stored outside, there will always be a time when you need to store supplies outside, at least temporarily, typically during major renovations.

When shopping for tarps, keep the following in mind, and know that UV rays will play havoc on tarps that have insufficient protection:

  • Durability (UV protection, anti-rot)
  • Versatility (ease of folding, storing and securing)
  • Usage (e.g. temporary, permanent, painting)
  • Performance (e.g. waterproof; breathability; wind-resistant)
  • Size, Weight, Thickness, Color

Here are traits of the three most common types of tarp material:

  • Poly: best for waterproofing and budget-friendly durability
  • Vinyl: heaviest and most rugged, perfect for permanent or semi-permanent covers, though pricier and less portable
  • Canvas: excels for breathability and longevity, but requires maintenance (drying before storage) and isn’t fully waterproof unless treated further

Tarps Now is known for the extreme toughness and adaptability of their tarps, while Grizzly Tarps are a popular choice for their ease-of-use and versatility.

Here are specific models of tarps to consider:

 

10. WD-40

Every homeowner should absolutely have a can of WD-40 handy due to its convenient versatility for countless household maintenance and repair tasks. Its primary functions — lubricating, loosening, and preventing rust — make it a must-have for quick fixes that do not require advanced DIY skills.

WD-40 being sprayed on window lock

Image courtesy of WD-40

Our most appreciative use of WD-40 was on the beautiful original brass doorknob and lock on our large stained-glass front doors that had become difficult to open — until remembering the magic of WD-40!

Common uses for WD-40 include:

  • Loosening Stuck Parts: freeing rusted bolts, screws, and stuck drawer tracks to simplify furniture and appliance repairs
  • Unsticking Locks: Penetrating and lubricating stiff or jammed locks on doors and gates for smoother operation
  • Quieting Squeaks: Lubricating door hinges, window slides, and chair joints to stop annoying noises
  • Preventing Rust: Protecting metal tools, garden equipment, and outdoor locks from corrosion after exposure to moisture
  • Removing Residue: Cleaning adhesive leftover from tape or stickers on walls, glass, or floors during home touch-ups

Also see:

 

Final Note

Understanding the completed state of your home’s layout and construction is imperative to solving wide-ranging issues as they arise. If you don’t already have your home’s blueprints from when it was built, we suggest obtaining “as-built drawings” or record drawings of your home from either the seller, the city or municipality, or contracting with an architect to create an as-built package.

Make sure that your as-builts include complete elevation as part of the final drawings, as this will be helpful for any renovations or solutions you plan to implement now, and in the future.

Happy Fixing!

 

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