Get Your Home Guest-Ready for the Holidays: 12 Quick Fixes in One Weekend
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Company’s coming, and suddenly you notice every little thing that’s been broken for months. The toilet that runs. The door that won’t latch. The smoke alarm chirping somewhere upstairs.
You can knock out most of it in a weekend with a few cheap parts. Here’s the list I’d work through, in order of what guests actually notice.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Product | Best For | Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet Repair Kit (Flapper and Fill Valve) | Running toilets | Check Price on Amazon |
| White Lithium Grease Spray | Squeaky hinges | Check Price on Amazon |
| Door Draft Stopper | Cold drafts | Check Price on Amazon |
| Plug-In Motion Night Lights | Guests finding the bathroom at night | Check Price on Amazon |
| Smoke Alarm 10-Year Battery | Chirping alarms | Check Price on Amazon |
1. Fix the Running Toilet
Guests will hear it all night. It’s usually a $10 flapper. Here’s how to stop a toilet from running.
2. Silence Squeaky Doors
Especially the guest room and bathroom doors. Pull the pin, clean it and coat it with white lithium grease. Five minutes per hinge.
3. Make Doors Latch
A guest room door that won’t stay shut is awkward for everyone. Tighten the hinge screws first. If that doesn’t do it, file the strike plate opening a little bigger.
4. Stop the Smoke Alarm Chirp
Nothing worse than a 3am chirp in a guest room. Fix it here, and test every alarm while you’re at it.
5. Block Drafts in the Guest Room
Cold guest rooms are common, since they’re often over garages or on corners. Draft stoppers and window film help a lot. Rope caulk and clear window insulation film are cheap and come off clean in spring.
6. Clear the Guest Bath Drain
A slow sink or tub is embarrassing. Clear the hair now with our clogged drain guide.
7. Make Sure the Bathroom Fan Works
Steam and fogged mirrors are fine. Mold isn’t. Check it pulls air.
8. Put a Plunger and Trash Can in Each Bathroom
Your guests will silently thank you.
9. Add Night Lights
Plug-in motion night lights in hallways and bathrooms keep guests from stumbling around in a house they don’t know.
10. Check the Hot Water
If showers run cold fast, flush the water heater or space out showers. See why hot water runs out fast.
11. Light the Entry
Replace burned-out porch bulbs and clear the walkway. Add a doormat for wet boots.
12. Give the Fridge a Quick Clean
You’ll be storing a lot of food. Make room, wipe the shelves and door gasket, and drop in an activated charcoal pouch.
Keep Reading
Holiday Plumbing Disasters · Christmas Tree Fire Safety · Toilet Keeps Running After Flush? · Smoke Detector Chirping With a New Battery?
FAQ
What should I fix before holiday guests arrive?
Running toilets, chirping smoke alarms, slow drains, squeaky doors and drafts in guest rooms.
How do I make a guest room warmer?
Block drafts, add a draft stopper and window film, and bring in extra blankets.
What should every guest bathroom have?
A plunger, a small trash can, fresh towels, a night light and a working fan.
Can I do these fixes in one weekend?
Most of them, yes. Many take under 30 minutes each.
What do guests notice most?
Noises like running toilets and chirping alarms, cold rooms and slow drains.
