It’s the holiday season, and you’re pulling out all the stops to make guests feel welcome. Taking a closer look at your home’s key systems will help avoid inconvenient and potentially embarrassing issues, from preventing clogged toilets to addressing foul odors. As Orlando homeowners start getting ready for the holidays, we put together a few tips to make preparing your home for holiday guests a breeze.

Your Holiday Preparation Guide, System by System

Make your guests feel welcome, comfortable, and truly at home by preparing your home for the holidays and making sure your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical components stay on the nice list this year.

1. Clean Out Drains

A clean sink drain reduces bad smells and prevents potential backups when you’re cooking that Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham. Homeowners can use natural cleaners to address minor, lingering drain clogs caused by food debris.

For a pristine sink or a clean shower drain, try pouring 1 cup of baking soda down the drain and waiting 15-20 minutes. Then, flush the drain with hot water from a pitcher. This method can also work to clean out a shower drain. For a completely clear drain, consider using a plunger to loosen any build-up.

Note that baking soda and vinegar are rarely enough to remove clogs. Opt for a wire coat hanger, drain snake, or other methods to remove small clogs before they cause backups and other issues.

For recurring or troublesome drain clogs, schedule an appointment for quick service!

2. Deodorize Your Home

Homeowners often become accustomed to the scents of their own spaces, but some guests may find certain odors distracting or even unpleasant. Instead of covering up your home’s natural scent, try a few natural ways to deodorize your home.

Use your HVAC system: Replace the filter on your HVAC system to remove dust and other airborne particles and run your HVAC fan to increase airflow.
Increase ventilation: Open windows and doors.
Address the source: Take out the trash, clean the garbage disposal, and consider cleaning and disinfecting your dishwasher. These are all common sources of foul odors, and they’re especially noticeable during the holidays when everyone tends to congregate in the kitchen! Also, take time to clean soft surfaces like carpets, rugs, and upholstery, which may trap foul odors caused by moisture, pets, or food and beverage stains.

3. Avoid Toilet Troubles

Spare a friend or family member the embarrassment of clogging the toilet during a get-together. At Pro-Tech Air Conditioning & Plumbing Service, toilet clog prevention is a social good, especially during the busiest time of the year for most plumbing companies.

How To Prevent Toilet Clogs

The most common cause of clogged toilets is, as you might guess, toilet paper. During the holidays, invest in thicker-ply toilet paper, which often requires fewer squares per use, reducing the amount of TP flushed. You can also prevent individuals from flushing paper towels, tissues, cotton balls, or Q-tips by removing these non-flushable items from the bathroom. Finally, regular plumbing maintenance and preventative sewer line cleaning can help prevent toilet clogs by addressing exterior issues, such as tree roots and sewer line problems.

4. Prevent Circuits from Overloading

In addition to those festive lights and inflatable lawn ornaments, holiday guests require a lot of electricity. If you consider all the extra phones, computers, and other gadgets plugged in during their stay, it's easy to see how quickly your home’s circuits can be overloaded.

How To Avoid Overloaded Circuits

To prevent circuit overloads, identify which outlets and appliances share circuits. Distribute high-energy devices evenly, and block open outlets on those circuits if necessary. Dedicate lower-demand outlets to charging devices by placing a table and sign nearby to encourage guests to use these outlets. Remember that while power strips offer surge protection and convenience, they don’t increase circuit capacity, so avoid overloading them as well.

Easy Tips To Make Holiday Guests Feel Welcome

Orlando homeowners love creating a warm, inviting atmosphere year-round, but it’s even more important during the holidays. In addition to cleaning your home and providing a tidy place to sleep, go the extra mile to ensure your guests are comfortable.

Understand their needs: Ask about travel plans, dietary restrictions, or any activities they’re looking forward to during their stay.
Give the tour: Give guests a quick tour of the home, covering basics like the Wi-Fi password, where the trash is, and where they’ll find bathroom items like towels, washcloths, and extra rolls of toilet paper.
Find the right temperature: If you're wondering, “What temperature should I set the house for my guests?” be sure to ask them if they feel too hot or too cold, and adjust the temperature as needed. For house parties, consider setting the thermostat a few degrees cooler, ideally between 66°F and 68°F, especially if you're cooking at the same time.

Pro-Tech Air Conditioning & Plumbing Service Wishes You a Wonderful Holiday Season

There’s no place like Orlando during the holidays, and we enjoy helping our neighbors enjoy the rich traditions this season brings. Keep your home comfortable and running smoothly with 24/7 HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services from Pro-Tech Air Conditioning & Plumbing Service. For prompt and professional home services when you need them most, schedule an appointment today!

HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing Tips for Holiday Entertaining