It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but for Kissimmee homeowners entertaining guests, the holidays can be tough on your home’s most important systems. Below, the team at Ace Solves It All puts together four easy ways to prepare your home for the holidays, so you can enjoy quality time without worrying about electrical, HVAC, or plumbing problems.
How To Prepare Your Home for the Holidays
The holiday season can take a real toll on your home’s most important systems. Hosting a few friends or relatives means more water use, more electricity use, and more folks tweaking the thermostat to get comfortable. Fortunately, there are a few things homeowners can do to reduce the risk of leaks, clogs, or other issues, so they can focus on making merry rather than making late-night phone calls for emergency repairs.
1. Avoid Overloaded Circuits
Especially if your guests are staying for a few nights, expect everyone to bring an electrical gadget or two to plug in. Preparing holiday meals may also require additional small cooking appliances, many of which get plugged into kitchen circuits that may already handle large appliances. Connecting too many devices can cause blown fuses and increased fire risk.
How To Avoid Overloaded Circuits
- Avoid using portable devices like space heaters and hair dryers at the same time and on the same circuit.
- Identify which devices and appliances are on the same circuit by heading to your circuit panel and turning off circuits one by one; whatever powers down is on the circuit. Try to balance out how many appliances are on any given circuit, especially in the kitchen.
- Encourage guests to use outlets on circuits with lower electricity demands by placing a small table or sign with a subtle message (“Power Station”) next to these.
If your home is still experiencing overloaded circuits, consider rewiring circuits to improve performance and reduce your risk of fire or other problems.
2. Clean Out Drains
Like electricity use, water consumption increases quickly with every guest and every big meal. Stay ahead of clogged drains with basic proactive cleaning a few days before company arrives.
- Clean out kitchen drains: Food debris and grease are the most common causes of clogged kitchen drains. In some cases, you can clear out drains with water and baking soda. First, pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain; if there’s a drain cap, place it over the drain to force the bubbles and pressure down the pipe. After 10 to 15 minutes, pour a pitcher of hot (not scalding) water down the drain to flush out any lingering debris.
- Clean out shower drains: Hair and soap residue are regular culprits here. In many cases, you’ll need to use a drain snake, a wire hanger, a plunger, or all three to clear a clogged shower drain. If your shower drain still backs up after trying these mechanical methods, your sewer line may be blocked by tree roots below your home or in the yard. Contact your local plumbing team to take a closer look!
3. Prevent Clogged Toilets
It’s the stuff of nightmares; you’re visiting friends and family, use the bathroom, and have to inform your host that the toilet might be clogged. (You know it is!) There are a few ways to protect your plumbing and your guests from the horror of a rapidly-overflowing toilet and prevent the associated embarrassment; here’s how.
How To Prevent Toilet Clogs
Remove any non-flushable items from the bathroom. Guests might be tempted to flush feminine products, tissues, Q-tips, or other items down the toilet, especially if they can’t find the trash can. Preparing your home for guests should include taking these items out of the bathroom for the duration of their stay. Also, ensure that your bathroom’s garbage can is clearly visible.
Clogged Toilets, Thanksgiving, and “Brown Friday”
The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year for most plumbing companies, with the day after Thanksgiving widely considered the busiest day on the calendar. The combination of intense meal prep, plenty of house guests, and families spending more time than usual at home can contribute to “Brown Friday,” when plumbers see a spike in emergency calls.
4. Deodorize Your Home
Even immaculately clean and tidy homes have a unique scent. While you may not notice it, some guests may find your home’s natural aroma distracting, or perhaps even smelly. Instead of covering up your home’s odors, tackle subtle smells at the source.
How To Deodorize Your Home Quickly
- Air it out: Start by opening windows and doors to let in fresh air. You can also run your HVAC system’s fan to increase air flow in the house.
- Remove the stink: Address common causes of odor by taking out the trash, throwing out old food from the fridge, and cleaning soft materials like upholstery, rugs, and carpeting.
You can deodorize your home naturally by shaking baking soda onto carpet or rugs and letting it sit for 20-30 minutes before vacuuming it up. Skip expensive and overpowering air fresheners and make your own: mix baking soda and your favorite essential oil in a small jar and place it near the trash or sink.
Read More: How To Improve Indoor Air Quality
Preparing Your Home for Holiday Guests Is Simple
Focus on the basics when getting ready for the holidays: make guests feel welcome, be accommodating, and be ready for anything with Ace Solves It All. Find out why Kissimmee residents trust our local home service technicians for prompt, professional service when it matters most. From our entire team, have a wonderful holiday season, and schedule an appointment to get ahead of common home issues this year!
Call 407-499-8006 or contact us online to schedule HVAC, electrical, indoor air quality, or plumbing services in Kissimmee, Lakeland, and the surrounding areas.