Every house has that bathroom.

The one with the decorative towels nobody is allowed to touch. The shower that mostly stores cleaning supplies. The toilet you assume works because, well, it worked the last time someone visited.

With October here and holiday company coming up, it’s time to make sure your guest bathroom is ready for something other than collecting dust.

Because “Welcome! The shower doesn’t drain” isn’t exactly five-star hospitality.

Give the Shower a Dress Rehearsal

Before someone shows up with a suitcase, turn on the shower.

Watch the drain, check the water flow, and make sure the temperature adjusts properly. Look for drips around the showerhead connection and water escaping where it shouldn’t.

If water starts pooling, shut it off. Your guests asked for a place to stay, not an indoor wading pool.

Finding a problem now gives you time to get it checked before someone is standing there in a towel asking where the other bathroom is.

Flush and Stick Around for the Finale

A toilet’s job isn’t finished when the bowl empties. The tank should refill and then quiet down.

If it keeps running, occasionally refills on its own, or needs a handle jiggle every time, give it some attention.

And if your household has developed special instructions—“Hold the handle for four seconds, tap it twice, then whisper encouraging words”—that’s worth getting checked before company arrives.

Watch for moisture around the base, too. If the bowl rises unusually high, stop flushing. A second flush is not a troubleshooting strategy.

Investigate the Cabinet Nobody Opens

Open the doors under the sink and move the cleaning supplies aside.

Run the faucet and use a flashlight to look for drips at the drain connections and water supply lines. Check the cabinet floor for dampness, staining, or swelling.

That collection of hotel shampoo bottles may be impressive, but it shouldn’t be hiding a plumbing leak.

That Smell Might Have a Boring Explanation

October is a good month for spooky stories. Your bathroom doesn’t need to contribute.

In a rarely used sink or shower, water in the drain trap can evaporate. That water normally creates a barrier that helps keep sewer gases out of the room.

Running water into the fixture can replenish a dry trap. If the smell sticks around or keeps coming back, have it inspected. There are other possible causes, and another pumpkin-scented candle won’t tell you which one you have.

Check the Hot Water Before It Becomes a Family Discussion

Try the hot water at the guest sink and shower. Does it arrive normally? Does the temperature stay steady?

If you’re already running out of hot water during everyday use, extra showers and laundry are worth considering before the house fills up.

You don’t need to jump straight to replacing the water heater. Start by explaining what you’re noticing so a professional can evaluate the problem.

Let the Scary Stuff Stay in the Halloween Decorations

A quick bathroom check won’t take much of your afternoon. It can give you a useful list of anything that needs attention before hosting season gets busy.

At Forrest Anderson Plumbing & Air Conditioning, we evaluate the problem and explain the solutions so you can make an informed decision about your home.

Call (623) 780-4060 or visit forrestanderson.net to schedule service.

Then you can get back to the real hosting debate: whether anyone is finally allowed to use the decorative towels.