Essentials for getting your home ready for hosting ahead of the High Holidays

ROSIE ROMERO, JR

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, you may find yourself hosting the new year’s celebration.

While food and family are essential to the holiday celebration, there are some homemaintenance tasks to tend to that will ensure you and your guests enjoy the holiday.

FIX LEAKY PLUMBING

Leaky faucets, while minor, may cause guests to think that a home is not well maintained. Most leaks originate from the on and off handle(s) rather than the faucet. Start with shutting off the water supply. If the faucet has two handles, check whether the water is warm or cold, thus indicating which handle is leaking. In most cases, the handle will have a pop-off button concealing screws or pins holding it in place. Remove the screws or pins, then remove the cartridge. Within the cartridge, you will see a rubber ring or washer that has gone bad, causing the leak. Replacements can be purchased at your local home store.

Reassemble the cartridge and handle before turning the water supply back on to check if the leak has been fixed.

If your toilet is running, look at its flapper valve, which is the usual suspect for causing toilets to run. The flapper valve opens when the toilet is flushed, thus allowing water to enter. It then closes to keep water in the tank for the next use. The rubber valve is susceptible to degradation over time, resulting in hardening or warping and preventing a water-tight seal. To replace it, shut off the water supply to the toilet. Then, while holding the flapper valve, pull to remove it from the clips that hold it in place. Place the new valve in the toilet, confirming a tight seal. Attach the new valve chain onto the trip arm and turn on the water. Flush a few times to test the valve. If it still runs, adjust the flapper until a water-tight seal is achieved.

Clean Appliances

Prevent funky-tasting brisket and kugel. Perform a thorough inspection of the oven before cooking, especially if it’s been a year or more since it was last cleaned. Over time, food can leave deposits that can slowly build up. These deposits, when heated enough, can begin to smoke and create unfavorable odors, which food can pick up or smoke out your holiday guests.

Most ovens have a self-cleaning feature utilizing incredibly high temperatures, essentially turning any debris into a fine powder. It should be noted that overuse of this function can cause excessive wear and tear. Chemical cleaners can be used in place of a self-clean function. Be sure you read the product’s instructions and the oven’s ownership manual before applying. In most cases, simply spray and wipe away the debris. IMPORTANT: these cleaners can be very corrosive. If you prefer a greener method, soak the oven racks in hot water and vinegar before rinsing. The longer the soak, the better. Mix baking soda and water into a paste before spreading it onto the interior of the oven. Let the paste sit overnight before wiping it down. Clear the refrigerator of old, stinky food and thoroughly wash the compartments and shelves. A clean refrigerator will make it easier to put leftovers away and prevent odors from other foods from ruining the next night’s meal. Also, make sure the condensate line is clear — it can get clogged and make the refrigerator leak.

Create A Welcoming Environment

An often-overlooked aspect of holiday hosting is parking. Adequate parking, or lack thereof, can create headaches for guests. Contact your HOA regarding parking rules and restrictions.

Because we ' re mortgage experts, our average clear to close last year was just 13 days 50+ Lending Partners

We partner with 50+ lenders and have access to 100s of loan products We'll personally shop our lenders to get you the loan for your scenario Nationwide

We're licensed in 49 states! No matter where you live or where you ' re headed, we ' ve got you covered