Furnace Repair Tools
Repairing a furnace is a particularly dangerous home improvement job. While some repairs can be done by an amateur, it is important to call a professional if the problem is over your head. Having the right tools is essential to repairing your furnace, and trying to do the job with the wrong tools can land you in hot water.
-
Screwdriver
-
A screwdriver (or set of screwdrivers) with different tips is necessary to gain access to your furnace. Most furnace-access points are attached with simple screws.
Drill
-
A simple drill is used to make a hole in the duct work. This hole provides a starting point for removing portions of the duct with tin snips. It is important to use a drill bit that is large enough to give the tin snips enough room to start cutting.
Tin Snips
-
Tin snips are needed when trying to tackle any duct work. It is important that they are sharp and well maintained. Once a hole is drilled in the duct work, a tin snip is used to make cuts in the metal. A good set of tin snips will cut through the sheet metal easily and with little effort.
Ductwork
-
Use duct tape to seal junctions in the ductwork and increase the efficiency of a furnace. If you want to add more vents in duct work, it is essential to have duct tape.
Shop Vac
-
After the furnace repairs are completed, there are usually piles of metal shavings on the floor near any drilling or cutting. It is important that a shop vac is used to pick up potentially dangerous tiny shavings. Breathing these tiny particles can cause respiratory problems. Another use of a shop vac is to clean the dust out of the inside of the furnace. Dust accumulation inside the furnace can build up on delicate electronic parts, causing them to fail.
Warning
-
Performing a simple repair on a furnace is a job that most homeowners can do themselves. However, anything worse than simple repairs should be done by a reputable contractor. Working on furnaces can be an extremely dangerous job if not done cautiously. There is a possibility of electrocution or--more seriously--an explosion.
-
