It’s your turn to host for the holidays. Don’t panic, Today’s Homeowner has a checklist that will get your house guest-ready in no time.
Step 1. Clean Your Fridge
Make sure you have plenty of room for all those holiday meals (and leftovers). Go ahead and clear out the refrigerator of anything you won’t need before guests come over.
Also, don’t forget to clean the outside of the fridge, including underneath, where the cooling coils are located. Dust and debris make it harder for your refrigerator to cool. Easily, clean this hard-to-reach spot using something you likely have lying around the house.
Chances are you have already started wrapping Christmas presents. If you still have one of those wrapping paper cardboard tubes, don’t throw it away.
In this video, Danny shows you how you can use that tube to clean the hard-to-reach area beneath your refrigerator.
Step 2. Check Your Toilets
Your house will be crowded enough as it is — don’t invite the plumber, too. Be proactive and check on your toilets. A toilet that runs constantly or doesn’t flush properly can be quite a nuisance and waste of water.
If you notice your toilet refilling periodically when it hasn’t been flushed, it’s a sure sign your toilet has a leak.
There are two ways to test your toilet for leaks:
Toilet Leak Test #1: Remove the tank lid, and pour a small amount of food coloring in the tank to color the water in the tank. If colored water appears in the bowl without flushing the toilet, it indicates water leaking between the tank and bowl.
Toilet Leak Test #2: Turn the water to the toilet off at the shutoff valve. Remove the lid to the tank and note or mark the water level in the tank. Wait several hours to overnight without flushing the toilet, then check the water level in the tank. If the water level is lower, there’s a leak between the tank and bowl.
There are several common problems associated with toilets that are fairly easy to repair. In this Christmas gift to you, we’ve provided easy-to-follow steps and a how-to video to help you keep your toilets running smoothly this holiday season.
