The Handyman's Nice List: Quick Home Fixes Santa Will Thank You For
Ho ho ho, Salt Lake Valley homeowners! With Christmas just around the corner, Santa's getting ready for his big night, and trust me, he's hoping your home is as ready as his sleigh. After centuries of rooftop landings and chimney visits, the big guy has developed some pretty strong opinions about home maintenance.
As your friendly neighborhood Salt Lake handyman team at Your Handyman Pros, we've seen what happens when homes aren't quite ready for the holiday hustle. Spoiler alert: it's not pretty, and it definitely doesn't spread Christmas cheer. But here's the good news, most of these fixes are quicker than you think, and way less stressful than explaining to the kids why Santa got stuck in your chimney.
1. Give Santa a Clean Landing: Chimney and Fireplace Safety
Picture this: Santa's making his final approach to your Herriman home, and your chimney is clogged with more debris than a Black Friday shopping cart. Not exactly the warm welcome you had in mind, right?
The Quick Fix: Before you light that first cozy Christmas fire, get your chimney and fireplace professionally inspected and cleaned. We're talking about removing soot, creosote, and any unexpected "tenants" (yes, birds love chimneys almost as much as Santa does).
At Your Handyman Pros, we coordinate professional chimney inspection and cleaning services to ensure your fireplace is safe. We check for structural issues, clean out dangerous buildup, and ensure your damper works properly. Because nothing ruins Christmas morning like a house full of smoke, or worse. Never light a fire if your chimney hasn’t been inspected.
Santa Says: "A clean chimney is a happy chimney. Plus, I really don't want to explain soot stains on my red suit to Mrs. Claus."
2. Light the Way: Holiday Lighting That Won't Leave You in the Dark
Santa's got excellent night vision, but even he appreciates good exterior lighting. More importantly, your holiday guests (and the delivery drivers bringing those last-minute Amazon packages) definitely need safe, well-lit walkways.
The Quick Fix: Check all your outdoor lighting fixtures, replace burnt-out bulbs, and ensure your holiday decorations aren't turning your yard into an electrical hazard. Our home repair salt lake experts see way too many extension cord disasters every December.
A licensed electrician can inspect your outdoor electrical systems, replace faulty fixtures, and even install new lighting where needed. Whether you're in Sandy, Bountiful, or anywhere in the Salt Lake Valley, proper lighting keeps everyone safe and your home looking magical.
Santa Says: "I may have Rudolph's nose to guide me, but your neighbors will thank you for lighting that icy driveway properly."
3. Silent Night, Secure Steps: Walkway and Stair Safety
Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like watching your mother-in-law navigate icy front steps without proper handrails. Actually, scratch that, everything says it better than that scenario.
The Quick Fix: Inspect and repair loose handrails, wobbly steps, and slippery surfaces. Salt Lake Valley winters are beautiful but treacherous, and holiday guests shouldn't need mountaineering experience to reach your front door.
Our teams specialize in quick stair repairs, handrail installations, and safety improvements. We can add grip tape, repair loose railings, and ensure every step is solid and secure. Always avoid DIY repairs on icy steps or elevated areas without proper footing.
Santa Says: "I've mastered rooftop landings, but I still appreciate a good, sturdy handrail. Your guests will too."
4. No More Midnight Creaking: Floor Fixes for Quiet Christmas Mornings
Every parent knows the challenge: sneaking around Christmas morning to set up last-minute surprises without waking the kids. But that one squeaky floorboard always seems determined to ruin the magic.
The Quick Fix: Identify and repair squeaky floors, loose boards, and wobbly sections. Sometimes it's as simple as a few strategically placed screws; other times, you need professional help to address subfloor issues.
As a home remodel contractor Utah team, we know exactly how to silence those holiday-ruining squeaks. We'll secure loose boards, address subfloor problems, and ensure your Christmas morning stealth missions stay secret.
Santa Says: "I've perfected the art of silent movement. You should too, at least until the kids are old enough to stop believing in magic."
5. Sealed with Care: Keeping the Warmth In and the Cold Out
Santa's used to North Pole temperatures, but your heating bill definitely isn't. With all the holiday cooking, family gatherings, and door-opening for deliveries, your home's working overtime to stay warm.
The Quick Fix: Check and replace weatherstripping around doors and windows, seal any visible gaps, and ensure your home is properly insulated against Utah's winter weather.
Our team can quickly identify and seal air leaks, replace worn weatherstripping, and add insulation where needed. It's amazing how much money you can save (and how much more comfortable your home becomes) with just a few hours of proper sealing work.
Santa Says: "Mrs. Claus always says, 'A warm house is a happy house.' Plus, I really don't want to feel guilty about letting cold air in through the chimney."
6. Electrical Safety: Because Christmas Lights Shouldn't Be Fire Hazards
Clark Griswold might have made overloaded electrical systems look funny, but in real life, they're anything but amusing. Holiday decorations put extra strain on your home's electrical system, and old or damaged wiring doesn't improve with age.
The Quick Fix: Check all outlets, replace any damaged switches or covers, and ensure your electrical system can handle the holiday load. If you're constantly tripping breakers or dealing with flickering lights, call in the professionals.
A licensed electrician can inspect your electrical systems, upgrade outdated components, and ensure your holiday decorations won't turn into holiday disasters. Safety first, holiday magic second.
Santa Says: "I deal with enough sparks from Rudolph's static electricity. Your house really doesn't need to add to the light show."
7. Gutter Glory: Preventing Ice Dam Drama
Santa might land on your roof, but he definitely doesn't want to deal with ice dams and clogged gutters. Neither do you, especially when they can cause serious damage to your home's structure and foundation.
The Quick Fix: Clean your gutters thoroughly before winter weather sets in, check for proper drainage, and ensure downspouts direct water away from your foundation.
Our handyman Herriman and Salt Lake Valley teams know exactly how to prevent ice dam formation. We'll remove debris, check for proper slope, and ensure your gutters are ready for whatever winter throws at them.
Santa Says: "I appreciate a clean landing zone, and your foundation appreciates proper water drainage. It's a win-win situation."
The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Professional Peace of Mind
Here's the thing about holiday home maintenance, it's not just about fixing problems. It's about preventing them, so you can focus on what really matters: time with family, creating memories, and maybe sneaking an extra cookie or two.
At Your Handyman Pros, we understand that the holidays are stressful enough without worrying about home repairs. That's why we offer comprehensive maintenance services across Salt Lake, Davis, Wasatch, Summit, and Tooele counties. We're licensed, insured, and committed to keeping your home safe and comfortable all season long.
Whether you need quick fixes or coordinated major renovations, we've got the expertise and holiday spirit to help. After all, our motto isn't just "We do the jobs your husband said he'd do!", it's about giving you the peace of mind to enjoy your holidays stress-free.
Santa's Final Word
This Christmas, give yourself the gift of a well-maintained home. Your family will be safer, your guests will be more comfortable, and yes, Santa will definitely appreciate the effort. Plus, when January rolls around and you're not dealing with emergency repairs, you'll thank yourself for taking care of these fixes now.
Ready to get your home on Santa's nice list? Contact Your Handyman Pros today. We'll handle the maintenance so you can handle the mistletoe, cookies, and family chaos that make the holidays truly magical.
Ho ho ho, and happy home maintenance!
We're a licensed and insured B100 General Contractor who takes care of complete project management and can coordinate all phases of construction. Lic # 12888335-5501 www.yourhandymanpros.com We also offer services through our team of electricians, plumbers, and HVAC professionals who are each licensed, and insured individually. We work all around the Salt Lake Valley/County, and into Davis, Wasatch, Summit, Tooele and other Utah counties.
