The season of houseguests sneaks up more quickly than anticipated, leaving some Virginia homeowners hurriedly tidying up before the doorbell rings.
Thanksgiving and winter holidays are an ideal time to host friends and family, but lingering projects can make hosting far more stressful than it needs to be.
Here are a few ideas to cross off your to-do list before the first piece of luggage hits your front doorstep:
1. Safety First
An especially important step if very young, elderly or mobility-impaired guests are expected, walking through your home with an eye towards safety is a must.
Taking a power drill to bolts holding both indoor and outdoor railings in place will keep handrails and barriers sturdy and trustworthy. Filling in holes on outdoor paths and walkways, replacing burnt-out porch lighting and trimming back landscaping growth that might trip passerbyers will also ensure that even late-night visitors can pop in safely. If very young children or toddlers will be in the home, getting temporary outlet covers and securing cabinet doors will prevent accidents.
2. Prepare for the Weather
If the Northern Virginia forecast calls for snow, don't be caught unprepared with a house full of visitors. Call a trustworthy Northern Virginia home repair service to repair broken gutters that might collapse under the weight of a storm, and consider asking them to look at drafty doors and windows while they are on-site.
Inside the home, install all-weather mats in front of doors that are prone to heavy traffic to keep mess to a minimum. Walk the sidewalks and stairs that your guests will and check for problems such as loose bricks or broken boards that could pose a hazard if hidden beneath snow.
3. Look Underfoot
Just as your yard needs to be carefully scanned, your flooring and carpeting may need a little sprucing up before it sees increased foot traffic. Ensure your carpet bars are securely tacked down, and install new carpet tack bars if your existing ones are dented or bent. If your wooden floors are dry or splintered, a coat of sealant may be in order to restore a smooth surface. This would also be an excellent time to add runners or area rugs in rooms and hallways that you'd like to protect from the muddy, slush-coated boots of snowy visitors.
4. Don't Wait
You may have a lot of other preparations - cooking, dusting, coordinating - keeping you busy, but don't put off home repairs until the last minute. Even if you aren't sure you will have houseguests for the holidays form a home renovation plan. Remember, much like grocery stores before a major holiday, waiting until the last minute could mean fighting for DIY repair materials or professional services with a lot of other homeowners that also waited to act.
These are just a few of the many small actions you can take around your home to get it ready for the holidays, and they don't take much effort at all. However, be sure to trust a professional northern Virginia home improvement contractor when it comes to the "heavy lifting" types of home repair projects - taking a tumble off the roof is anything but festive!
Image Credit: Bunches and Bits
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