Summer Home Checklist for Sarasota Homeowners

Hurricane season is not a suggestion in Sarasota. It is a reality. The peak of the season runs from August through October, which means summer is the time to double-check everything you prepared in spring.

• Review your emergency supply kit. Refresh water, non-perishable food, medications, batteries, and first aid supplies
• Test your portable generator, if you have one. Run it for 10-15 minutes under load to confirm operation
• Check carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries. This is critical if you use a generator
• Confirm your evacuation zone. Sarasota County updates flood and storm surge zones regularly
• Keep your vehicle's gas tank at least half full throughout the season. Gas stations run out quickly before storms
• Review your insurance policies. Know your hurricane deductible and confirm you have both wind and flood coverage
• Update your home inventory with photos or video. Walk room to room, open drawers and closets. Do this now, not when a storm is in the Gulf
• Practice installing your hurricane shutters or plywood panels. A dry run reveals missing hardware before you actually need it
• Identify everything outside that must be secured or brought in: furniture, grills, potted plants, toys, garden tools, decor

Pro tip: Fill a cup with water, freeze it solid, and place a coin on top. Keep this in your freezer. If the power goes out and you are away, the coin will tell you if your food thawed and refroze.

Summer in Sarasota means your windows and doors face three challenges: water intrusion from daily thunderstorms, air leakage that makes your A/C work harder, and wind pressure during tropical systems. A thorough inspection now prevents bigger problems later.

• Inspect caulking and weatherstripping around all windows and doors. Look for cracks, gaps, or peeling
• Re-caulk any problem areas before summer rains find the weaknesses
• Check window and door screens for tears or holes. Summer brings mosquitoes, so do not give them an invitation
• Test the operation of every window and exterior door. Open, close, lock, unlock. Address sticking or misalignment
• Inspect weatherstripping on garage doors. The garage is a common entry point for pests and water
• Check door sweeps on all exterior doors. Replace if they no longer make contact with the threshold
• Look for condensation between window panes. Fogging indicates failed seals and reduced energy efficiency

Pro tip: On a sunny day, stand inside with all lights off. Any sliver of daylight around a door or window is an air leak your A/C is paying to fight.

Florida's summer growth is aggressive. Palms drop fronds. Trees branch out. And every piece of vegetation within striking distance of your home is a hurricane hazard waiting to happen.

• Trim all tree branches that overhang your roof. Aim for at least six feet of clearance
• Remove dead, diseased, or loose limbs from all trees on your property
• Trim palm trees. Remove dead fronds, seed pods, and loose boots, the rough stubs where fronds attach
• Keep all landscaping at least 12-18 inches away from your home's foundation
• Remove any vines growing on siding, stucco, or screens. Vines trap moisture and provide pest highways
• Clear vegetation away from your A/C condenser unit. Maintain at least two feet of clearance for airflow
• Inspect large trees for signs of disease or structural weakness. Consider a professional arborist if you have concerns

Pro tip: Hurricane-force winds turn palm fronds into spears. A properly trimmed palm has a pineapple shape with green fronds at the top only. Every dead frond below that is a liability.

This is not exciting. It is not satisfying. But it is the single most important financial protection you have. Construction costs have risen significantly in recent years, and many homeowners discover after a storm that their coverage no longer matches the cost to rebuild.

• Pull out your homeowner's insurance policy. Read it. Yes, actually read it
• Confirm your dwelling coverage reflects current replacement cost, not what you paid for the home
• Verify your hurricane deductible, typically 2% to 5% of dwelling coverage. Know what you would pay out of pocket
• Confirm you have separate flood insurance. Standard homeowner's policies do not cover flooding
• Check your Additional Living Expenses limit. This covers temporary housing if your home becomes uninhabitable
• Photograph or video your entire home's interior and exterior. Store these images in the cloud
• Save digital copies of your insurance policies, declarations pages, and agent contact info where you can access them without power
• Schedule an annual review with your insurance agent before peak season, August through October

Pro tip: Flood insurance policies typically have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. Do not wait until a storm is forming to buy it.

You already had your professional tune-up in spring. Summer is about monitoring performance and catching small problems before they become no-A/C-in-August emergencies.

• Replace air filters every 30 days during heavy use
• Check your condensate drain line monthly. Florida humidity grows algae quickly; a clog will shut your system down
• Pour one cup of distilled white vinegar down the condensate drain access tee each month
• Inspect the outdoor condenser unit weekly for debris, grass clippings, or leaves
• Listen for unusual sounds: grinding, squealing, or rattling
• Monitor your electric bill. A sudden spike often indicates an A/C efficiency problem
• Check the temperature difference between supply and return vents, which should be 15-20 degrees
• Clear the area around your thermostat. Heat from lamps, electronics, or direct sun can fool the sensor

Warning signs: Act immediately if you see ice on refrigerant lines, water leaking from the indoor unit, warm air from vents, or the system short-cycling every few minutes.

Sarasota's summer humidity regularly exceeds 70%. That moisture wants inside your home, and once it finds a way, mold follows within 24-48 hours.

• Run bathroom exhaust fans during and for 20 minutes after every shower
• Use the kitchen exhaust fan when cooking or boiling water
• Check under every sink monthly for leaks or dampness
• Inspect around toilets, tubs, and showers for soft spots or discoloration
• Look for condensation on windows; it indicates indoor humidity is too high
• Consider a portable dehumidifier for bathrooms, laundry rooms, or basements without dedicated ventilation
• Keep interior doors open when possible to promote air circulation
• Check closets for musty smells or visible mold on shoes, bags, or walls
• Clean your washing machine's door seal and detergent drawer monthly

Pro tip: If you smell musty but cannot see mold, check behind furniture against exterior walls, inside closets, and under bathroom vanities. Mold loves dark, still, humid spaces.

Your lanai, pool deck, and outdoor living areas take a beating from sun, rain, and daily use. Summer maintenance keeps them enjoyable and prevents deterioration.

• Power wash lanai, pool deck, patio, and driveway monthly or as needed
• Inspect pool cage and lanai screens for tears, popped spline, or loose screws
• Check pool chemical levels weekly. Summer heat and heavy use throw off balance quickly
• Run pool pump on a schedule that turns over all water at least once daily
• Clean pool filter according to manufacturer recommendations, more often during heavy use
• Inspect outdoor furniture for rust, loose joints, or damaged cushions
• Check exterior lighting fixtures for moisture intrusion or dead bulbs
• Look for wasp nests under eaves, in light fixtures, or inside the grill
• Inspect outdoor faucets and irrigation heads for leaks