Preparing your Home for Holiday Guests

Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / December 19, 2018

The holiday season is in full swing, but it’s not too late to start preparing your home for hosting friends and family. You may have already hosted guests this year and run into any number of issues (think a lack of hot water or weird garbage disposal issues), so we have a few tips to ensure you don’t encounter any catastrophic snags during the holiday season.

Supply Hot Water
Whether you enjoy hosting your family each year, or you dread spending time with your in-laws, having to endure cold showers is an easy way to put a damper on everyone’s morning. Traditional water heaters tend to take time heating up 40-50 gallons of water, but once that water is used up, it has to start over. In addition to saving energy, tankless water heaters only heat the water you use when you turn on your faucet. This ensures that you never run out of hot water, and you can enjoy warm, comfortable showers without worrying about racing to the shower first thing in the morning.

Avoid Garbage Disposal Mishaps
Understanding what foods are safe for your garbage disposal before you dispose of them can save you hundreds of dollars in repairs at inconvenient times. During the winter, we tend to field more inquiries about garbage disposals than any other time of the year. The rule of thumb is if a baby can eat it, it’s probably safe for your garbage disposal. This means soft foods, fruits, and vegetable scraps are typically safe. Avoid disposing of potato peels, eggshells, coffee, and anything greasy.

Properly Heat Your Home
When was the last time you had your furnace checked? Your furnace should periodically be cleaned and inspected for safety issues during your fall home maintenance routine, but if you haven’t done so, make sure to replace your air filter, inspect the blower belt for cracks, and clear the area around your furnace of any debris. If you need help with this process, Hanna Plumbing & Heating can perform a cleaning and safety inspection to ensure your machine is running smoothly and efficiently.

Need help with a repair or replacement? Call Hanna at (319) 377-2809.