Maintaining and Extending the Life of Your Construction Tools

Quality, trusted construction tools get through plenty of mileage in their lifetime. Most of us will have go-tos that are pulled out pretty much every day, and it can be frustrating if they ever break down on us.

There’s a lot of little things we can do to help keep our tools in tip-top shape, even if you don’t want the hassle of having to clean all of them after every job. If you find yourself replacing tools at an alarming rate, here are some steps to consider.

Ensure Proper Use

First things first, make sure you’re using the tools right. Double-check that you’re always using the correct tool, and size, for the job, and that you’re using it in the right way.

You may also want to check that your tool is made of suitable materials for its application, although in most cases metal tools are fine.

Making sure you’re using the correct tools in the right way reduces the risk of you damaging them and potentially impacting their longevity. It’s also crucial for reducing your risk of injury on-site.

Clean Them Regularly

Ultimately, there’s nothing better for the longevity of your tools than regular cleaning. If substances build up, there’s an increased chance one of them could start to corrode and weaken your tools, which will only make you have to replace them sooner.

Regular cleaning doesn’t mean having to spend hours each evening toiling over your tools. Simply getting in the habit of wiping down your tools after each job, or using a solvent if there are more stubborn stains, will greatly increase the lifespan of any tools.

Keep Them Dry

The number one cause of issues for most tools is moisture. Even the strongest pieces of kit aren’t impervious to the impact of water on metal over many weeks and months.

Make sure your tools are dry before putting them away in storage. Also, if they’re stored in a humid space, such as a shed, you may need to watch out for condensation build-up; using a dehumidifier or silica gel packs can help eliminate this problem.

Schedule Inspection and Protection

You don’t need to be inspecting all your tools every week, but getting into a routine of checking they’re in good condition doesn’t hurt.

Try to split your tools by how often they’re being used and set aside a small time each week where you can check they’re doing okay. For example, you might check your trowel or saw once a fortnight, whereas a file or chisel might only need looking over once a month.

During this inspection, you can give them a little more care than in your daily cleaning. Blades can be sharpened and moving parts can be lubricated to ensure optimum performance whenever they’re called upon and reduce the chances of them breaking down.

Store Properly

Last but not least, make sure your tools are being stored properly. There are so many options out there, from toolboxes to wall-mounted storage, and they all help in both organisation and tool longevity.

Not only do things like toolboxes help to keep everything easy to find, but they also protect various tools by compartmentalising them and avoiding unnecessary bumps and scrapes.

Of course, regular cleaning and maintenance is the number one way to help your tools live for longer. However, even little steps such as storage and wiping them down after use will help you get a little more out of every tool.

Remember, when the time comes that you do need to replace your tools, check out our wide range available here at Fastbuild. We stock all kinds of tools for various jobs, including hand decorating, masonry, woodwork, site measuring tools and more, all at great trade prices.