Things You Need to Know About Florida Home Maintenance

Homeownership is a dream come true for many people. And how couldn't it be? It's one of if not the only significant financial investment you make in your life. However, owning a home comes with a set of responsibilities you wouldn't worry about as a renter. You are the one in charge of keeping your entire home in top-notch shape, and that comes with a hefty price tag. If you live in the Sunshine State, you must know that Florida home maintenance demands even more attention, despite its beautiful nickname.

Increased humidity, constant heat, and various pests are typical problems. There is also the fact that Florida is one of the states that the hurricane season frequents. So, these factors will determine what your home maintenance practice should look like on a monthly, quarterly, seasonal, and annual basis. Of course, you can't cut corners here because you want the value of your home to remain the same or increase, in case you ever decide to sell. Moreover, you want to live in a home that's clean and safe for your family. 

In this article, you will find a checklist of all the Florida home maintenance tasks you need to perform throughout the year.

Florida Home Maintenance Checklist

Regular maintenance is crucial for keeping your home problem-free.

Below, you will find a detailed checklist of all the maintenance you need to perform:

• Every month

• Four times a year

• With the change of seasons

• Once a year

Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist

• Check your circuit breakers, GFCI outlets, AFCI breakers

• Check and, if necessary, replace HVAC filters - it will lengthen the lifespan of your HVAC system and save you a lot of money in the long run because air conditioning is a necessity in Florida

• Inspect, clean, and if necessary, replace kitchen vent hood filters

• Test the sprinklers

• Maintain your pool (if applicable) - check the pump, filters, etc.

Quarterly Home Maintenance Checklist

• Inspect the exterior drainage - water mustn't remain in one place for more than a day or drain toward the foundation

• Check and clean the weep holes to ensure proper drainage as well

• Inspect, clean, and lubricate outside vents - check if air flows uninterruptedly and  the dampers are operable

• Apply white lithium spray on your garage door hinges

• Look around the sinks and toilets to ensure there are no leaks and inspect all the more rarely used taps to ensure there is no dripping

• Maintain vegetation close to your home to prevent water and insects from entering your home

• Clean the gutters

Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist - Every Six Months

• Have a professional check and service your heating and air conditioning system

• Check and repair caulk everywhere - windows, doors, around the bath, etc.

• Inspect and clean the sump pump if you have a basement

• Set the timers on your sprinkler to make sure they function appropriately for the seasons

Preparation for the Hurricane Season

You need to be ready for the hurricane season.

It's necessary to prepare your Florida home for the wind and rain it will have to withstand. Here is what you need to do. 

• Ensure you have enough supplies - It's advisable to stock up on some canned food that requires no preparation and other items that require minimal preparation. You also need hygiene products, matches, batteries, etc. If you have kids and pets, make sure you have enough supplies to take care of them if you can't go shopping for a while. For example, you will need extra diapers, wipes, baby food, pet food, water, carrier, etc.

• Check the shutters - Make sure they can all close well, and none of them are missing

• Prepare plywood - Buy plywood and cut it so the pieces can cover the openings in your home

• Schedule a roof inspection - Roofs get a lot of beating generally. They protect your entire home. So, a roof inspection every year (or even twice a year) is always a good idea

Annual Florida Home Maintenance Checklist

• Drain water heaters and refill them - if you live in areas with hard water, you may have to do this more frequently

• Test the safety valve on your water heater

• Check the garage door locks and other locks and consider changing door opener codes

• Test and service your yard equipment, such as the lawnmower, leaf blower, trimmers, etc.

• Inspect the plumbing 

• Clean faucet aerators

• Clean your garbage disposal

• Test your fire extinguishers

• Replace batteries in your smoke alarm

Regular Home Maintenance Ensures Safety and Saves Money

Living in Florida and owning a beach house comes with many incredible benefits. But the sand and salt are pretty challenging to handle. Therefore, your home will need some more attention.

However, if you regularly check every bit of your home, you will identify potential issues or some minor problems on time. It will allow you to cut them in the bud before they become a much more extensive and expensive problem. Also, regular inspections will prevent many issues altogether. It will allow you to save some money, which you can invest in some upgrades and further increase your home value and your comfort. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant. There are so many low-budget home improvements you can do. Some cheap upgrades have the potential to transform a home. 

Regular Maintenance Ensures You Enjoy Your Home

Keeping your garden nice and tidy is a part of the Florida home maintenance checklist.

If you are blessed to live in a home close to a beach or in a state with so much sunshine, having a well-maintained garden free-of issues is a huge bonus. It's a place where you can enjoy your free time and have a pleasant gathering with friends and family. Therefore, late spring and early summer are perfect times to tend to your garden and make any necessary improvements. Mowing your lawn and ensuring your sprinkle system is operational will make that a reality. Preventing drainage issues will do the same. Besides the added comfort, your home will look more visually appealing, and its value will increase.

Making sure that the basic systems in your house are fully-functioning will make the time spend inside more enjoyable, too. Creating a schedule and a checklist of all the Florida home maintenance tasks you have to perform will help you achieve that. The little time and effort you invest on time will undoubtedly pay off. 

Meta: Here are all the things you need to know about Florida home maintenance that will ensure your house is fully operational and problem-free and its value preserved.