Home Holiday Tips

Home Holiday Tips

 

The holiday season is almost upon us! Now is the perfect time to get your home ready for all of the hustle and bustle that comes along with it. Don’t let your home be caught off guard when entertaining your family and friends. Here are a few tips to get your home ready for the holidays.

 

Adjust Your Water Heater

During the summer, you can get by with cooler water heater temperatures. It’s a great way to save on utility costs. But in the winter, especially when you’re expecting a lot of guests, it’s important to make sure that there’s enough hot water to go around. Increase the temperature of your hot water heater to make sure everyone stays comfortable. Of course, make sure it’s not dangerously hot, especially if there are young kids in the house.

 

Adjust Your Heater Ducts and Vents

Now that it’s chilly outside and your A/C is not running full-time, you may need to adjust the HVAC ducts and vents in your home. In the summer, the A/C is typically directed to the upper floors because those are the hottest and the cool air will naturally fall to the lower levels. This needs to be switched up in the winter time. Direct your HVAC ducts to pump the majority of your heating to the lower level, and then the heat will naturally rise to warm the upper floors. Make sure your guests are comfortable during the day as well as the night by making your home’s temperature consistent throughout.

 

Check Your Bathrooms

Before you are inundated with relatives, be sure your bathrooms are going to be able to handle the increased workload. Check your shower drains and make sure they are flowing. If water is taking too long to drain, use a chemical drain cleaner to clear out any blockages. However, this type of drain cleaner should not be used on septic systems. If you need help, call a professional plumber, like Tom Drexler Plumbing. Remember to check your toilets and make sure they are functioning well.

 

Unscrew Your Garden Hoses

Don’t leave your garden hoses attached to your home’s spigots. When the weather freezes, the hose bibs can expand and cause water pipes to leak. The holidays are not the time to be having a water crisis. Be sure to disconnect them before it gets too cold out.

 

Check Your Appliances

No one wants to sit down to a holiday dinner, only to find out that the turkey is still raw because the oven broke. Check your oven, as well as oven temperature, fridge, microwave, and dishwasher to make sure that they’re in working order before the craziness begins.

 

Check Smoke Detectors

With fireplace season soon upon us, it’s important to take the necessary precautions in case anything ever gets out of hand. Test your smoke detectors and replace the batteries, if necessary. While you want your guests to have a memorable holiday, you want to avoid the memory of waking them up at 3 am to evacuate because the house is on fire. Also, when you’re doing a lot of cooking in the kitchen, always have a fire extinguisher handy.

The holiday season is a great time to gather with family and friends and enjoy each other’s company. Follow these tips to make sure your home is ready to celebrate. Make it a holiday that your guests won’t forget, for all the right reasons!