Tools
The minimum kit for a flat or house, how screwdrivers and bits differ, and why every home needs a spirit level.
the home workshop: small repairs without risk
Vipvnn — the home workshop
A wobbly cupboard door, a dripping tap, a shelf that needs to go up in the children's room — jobs like these pile up in every home and usually wait for "someone who knows how". Many of them are well within your reach if you take your time, use the right tool and know where the line is. This guide explains small repairs in plain language and tells you honestly when it is better to stop and call a professional.
What sets a good home DIYer apart is not the number of tools they own but the habit of checking what is behind the wall before picking up the drill.
Where to start
Walls and fixings
How to choose a wall plug for your wall material and put up a shelf without hitting hidden cables or pipes.
Water and plumbing
A dripping tap, renewing silicone sealant and what to do when water ends up where it shouldn't.
Safety
Goggles, gloves, a stable stepladder and a clear idea of which jobs you must never do yourself.
Guide sections
- Topics
Four sections: tools, walls and fixings, doors, windows and furniture, and water and plumbing.
- Practical
How to put up a shelf without hitting wiring: steps, mistakes, limits and a checklist. The article catalogue is here too.
- Questions
Short answers about tools and fixings, taps, doors and furniture, and staying safe while you work.
- Collections
Reading routes: your first flat, a leak-free bathroom and DIY together with a teenager.
- Reference
Workshop glossary: wall plug, self-tapping screw, anchor, wood screw, bit, spirit level, stepladder, stopcock, PPE.
- New
A dated feed of the guide's articles with their topics.
- Archive
All articles by date and topic, plus a note about the former address on this domain.
Before any repair: five checks
What is behind the wall
Before you drill, think about what might be hidden inside the wall: cables running to sockets and switches, heating or water pipes. Look around the room, find the nearest sockets and pipes, and if in doubt, choose a different spot.
Is the power off
If the job involves a socket, switch or light fitting in any way, the circuit is first switched off at the consumer unit (fuse box) and then checked to make sure it is dead. If you are not sure which breaker controls what, that alone is a reason to call an electrician.
Is the water off
Before working on a tap or mixer, find the shut-off valves and check that they really do stop the water. Keep a cloth and a bowl to hand: some water will stay in the pipes even after the valve is closed.
Are your eyes and hands protected
Safety goggles are needed for drilling, hammering and anything that might fly off or crumble. Gloves protect your hands from splinters, sharp edges and household chemicals. Put them on before you start, not after something has already gone into your eye.
Do you have enough time and light
A small repair started late in the evening under a dim bulb usually ends in a rush and extra holes in the wall. Choose a time when you can work calmly, and make sure your work area is well lit.
The essentials in brief
Are you a handyman or a repair service?
No. Vipvnn is a guide, not a workshop. We do not make home visits, take orders or assess your particular repair. If a job is beyond you, contact a professional you trust or the company that manages your building.
Can I replace a socket myself?
The honest answer: only if the circuit is switched off at the consumer unit, you have checked that it is dead, and you know exactly what you are doing. If any of this leaves you unsure, call an electrician. We deliberately do not publish step-by-step instructions for electrical work: mistakes here cost far too much.
What should I do if I smell gas at home?
Do not switch lights or electrical appliances on or off, and do not use any naked flame. Open the windows, leave the home and, once outside, call the gas emergency service (104 in Russia) or the single emergency number 112 (Russia and EU-wide); if you live elsewhere, use your local emergency and gas numbers. Do not try to find the leak yourself.
Can you recommend which tools to buy?
We do not name specific brands or shops. Instead, we explain what to look for: whether the tool sits comfortably in your hand, whether it suits your wall material, and whether it comes with clear instructions and safety features. In a typical home, reliable basics matter more than a large set.
About the project
A different website used to run on this domain. This guide is not connected with it and does not restore its pages; the name simply came with the domain.
We write for people who want to handle the small jobs around the home themselves: putting up a curtain pole, tightening a hinge, renewing the sealant in the bathroom. There are no tradesperson listings, prices or tool reviews here — just calm explanations, a clear order of work and firm limits beyond which the job belongs to a professional.
Sources
- Official home safety guidance from emergency services
- Gas emergency service guidance on what to do if you smell gas
- Tool manufacturers' instructions
The advice in this guide describes the general approach as of the date the article was prepared. Every home has its own walls, plumbing and furniture, and every tool and fixing comes with its own instructions: where they differ from our text, follow the instructions.