Preventative Home Maintenance Checklist for Every Season in Florida

In the Sunshine State, “seasonal maintenance” isn’t about preparing for snow—it’s about defending your home against moisture, heat, and pests. Use this guide to stay ahead of the Florida climate and protect your property value.

Spring: The “Before the Heat” Reset

Spring is the most critical time for your HVAC. In Florida, your air conditioner doesn’t just cool the air; it’s your primary defense against indoor mold growth.

• AC Professional Tune-Up: Schedule this before May. A technician should check refrigerant levels and clean the evaporator coils.
• Flush the Condensate Line: Pour a cup of white vinegar down your AC drain line to kill algae that can cause backups and water damage.
• Window & Door Seals: Inspect the caulking. If it’s cracked, your expensive AC is leaking outside, and humid air is creeping in.
• Roof Walk-Around: Look for loose shingles or “balding” granules. You want your roof in perfect shape before the afternoon thunderstorms begin in June.

Summer: The Hurricane & Humidity Defense

Summer in Florida is defined by high moisture. This is the season when wood rot and pests are most active.

• Hurricane Readiness: Test your shutters or ensure your plywood boards are cut and labeled. Clear your yard of “projectiles” like loose pavers or heavy planters.
• Gutter Clearance: Pine needles and oak leaves clog gutters fast. Ensure water is moving away from your foundation to prevent “slab leaks.”
• Pest Entry Points: Roaches and ants seek water during summer rains. Check the “weep holes” in your brick and ensure your window screens have no “No-See-Um” sized gaps.
• Humidity Monitoring: Keep your indoor relative humidity (RH) below 60%. If your home feels “sticky,” your AC may need a dehumidification adjustment.

Fall: The Recovery & Seal Phase

Once the humidity breaks in October, it’s time to repair the damage caused by the intense summer sun and rain.

• Pressure Washing: Remove the green algae and mildew buildup on your siding, driveway, and deck. If left alone, this moisture-trapping film will rot your wood and stain your stucco.
• Exterior Paint Check: Look for “chalking” or peeling. Paint in Florida is a waterproof seal; if it fails, your siding is vulnerable to rot.
• Tree Trimming: Trim branches back at least 3 feet from your roofline. This prevents squirrels (and rats) from jumping onto your roof and keeps damp shade off your shingles.
• Attic Inspection: Check for signs of roof leaks or pest nests that may have started during the rainy season.

Winter: The Deep Clean & Safety Check

While rare, “hard freezes” do happen. Winter is also the best time for projects that are too hot to handle in July.

• Pipe Insulation: Locate your main water shut-off and insulate any exposed exterior pipes.
• Ceiling Fan Direction: Switch your fans to run clockwise at a low speed. This pulls cool air up and pushes the warm air trapped at the ceiling back down.
• Safety Battery Swap: Change the batteries in your smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors.
• Dryer Vent Cleaning: Lint buildup is a major fire hazard. Use a vacuum kit to clean the vent all the way to the exterior wall.
• Irrigation Adjustment: Most Florida lawns go dormant in winter. Turn your sprinklers down to once a week to save on your utility bill and prevent root rot.

When to DIY vs. Calling Watson & Sons

Knowing when to put down the hammer can save you thousands. While cosmetic touch-ups like painting a windowsill or patching hairline cracks are great DIY tasks, you should call a professional if you encounter “soft” wood, which signals structural rot, or cracks wider than a nickel, which indicate foundation shifts. In Florida’s humidity, these aren’t just eyesores—they are entry points for moisture and fungi that eat away at your home’s skeleton from the inside out.

Additionally, pay close attention to your home’s systems; if your AC is “short-cycling” (turning on and off every few minutes), it isn’t properly dehumidifying your space. This leads to warped floors and sagging cabinetry that a simple filter change won’t fix. Addressing these “red flag” issues with a professional now prevents a minor repair from turning into a $10,000 structural disaster later.

Why Professional Intervention Saves You Money

At Watson & Sons, we don’t just “patch” problems; we diagnose the root cause. Whether it’s expansive clay soil causing a shift or a hidden leak behind your siding, our expert eye identifies the issues that DIY tutorials often miss.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I lower my summer AC bills now? 

Start by sealing gaps around windows and doors with fresh caulk. Additionally, ensure your attic insulation hasn’t settled; proper insulation keeps the Florida heat out and your cool air in.

Is my home really ready for a tropical storm? 

Beyond shutters, check your “entry points.” Ensure your garage door is reinforced and that your entry doors have at least three hinges and a deadbolt. Wind seepage through weak points is what causes roofs to lift.

How do I stop mold before it starts? 

The secret is moisture control. Run your bathroom extractor fan for at least 15 minutes after every shower and never turn your AC completely off when you leave for vacation—keep it at 78°F to maintain dehumidification.

Do I really need to worry about freezing pipes in Florida? 

Yes. Tallahassee often hits sub-freezing temperatures in January. Insulating your backflow preventer and exterior hose bibs can save you from a multi-thousand-dollar pipe burst.

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@graph”: [ { “@type”: “Article”, “headline”: “Preventative Home Maintenance Checklist for Every Season in Florida”, “description”: “Protect your Florida home from humidity, wood rot, and storms. A complete seasonal checklist for Tallahassee homeowners to know what to DIY and when to call a pro.”, “image”: “YOUR_IMAGE_URL_HERE”, “author”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “Watson & Sons Carpentry”, “url”: “https://watsonandsons.co/” }, “publisher”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “Watson & Sons Carpentry”, “logo”: { “@type”: “ImageObject”, “url”: “https://watsonandsons.co/path-to-your-logo.png” } }, “datePublished”: “2026-01-17”, “mainEntityOfPage”: { “@type”: “WebPage”, “@id”: “https://watsonandsons.co/florida-home-maintenance-checklist” } }, { “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [ { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “How can I lower my summer AC bills now?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Start by sealing gaps around windows and doors with fresh caulk. Additionally, ensure your attic insulation hasn’t settled; proper insulation keeps the Florida heat out and your cool air in.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Is my home really ready for a tropical storm?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Check your entry points. Ensure your garage door is reinforced and that your entry doors have at least three hinges and a deadbolt. Wind seepage through weak points is what causes roofs to lift.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “How do I stop mold before it starts?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “The secret is moisture control. Run your bathroom extractor fan for at least 15 minutes after every shower and keep your AC at 78°F even when on vacation to maintain dehumidification.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Do I really need to worry about freezing pipes in Florida?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Yes. Tallahassee often hits sub-freezing temperatures in January. Insulating your backflow preventer and exterior hose bibs can save you from a multi-thousand-dollar pipe burst.” } } ] } ] }