Florida's maintenance calendar is different from every other state because spring isn't a gentle warm-up — it's the preparation window before two demanding seasons arrive at once. By June, rainy season has started. By June 1, hurricane season is officially underway. The homes that get through both in the best condition are the ones whose owners used March through May to do the work. Here's what to check and address before summer hits Palm Bay.
HVAC System: Pre-Summer Service
Your air conditioning system is about to run nearly continuously for five to six months. Have it professionally serviced in March or April — a technician will check refrigerant levels, inspect electrical connections, clean the coils, test the capacitor and contactor, and identify components that are failing before they take the system down in the middle of summer. The cost of a preventive tune-up is a fraction of an emergency after-hours call when the AC fails at 95°F in August.
As a DIY item: replace the air filter, pour a cup of white vinegar in the condensate drain access port, and clear any vegetation within two feet of the outdoor condenser unit.
Roof and Gutters
Clean gutters are essential before rainy season — a June thunderstorm that drops an inch of rain in 45 minutes needs clear pathways through the gutter and downspout system to avoid overflowing against the fascia and foundation. Clean gutters in April or May and extend downspouts at least four feet from the foundation.
Do a visual roof inspection from the ground or a ladder at the eave level: look for missing, curled, or cracked shingles; look at the flashing around any roof penetrations (vent pipes, AC lines, satellite dish mounts); check the drip edge at the eave. If anything looks questionable, have a roofer assess before hurricane season — repairs are faster and cheaper to schedule in May than after a storm event.
Exterior Caulking and Weatherstripping
Every gap in the building envelope is a potential water entry point during driven rain. Walk the entire exterior perimeter in spring and check:
- Caulk at all window frame perimeters
- Caulk at all door frame perimeters
- Caulk at siding joints and transitions between materials
- Weatherstripping on all exterior doors — replace any that shows compression, cracking, or gaps
- Door bottom sweeps — replace if light is visible under the door
Plumbing Check
Spend 15 minutes checking under every sink and behind every toilet. Look for any moisture, water staining on cabinet floors, or dripping at supply line connections. Check outdoor hose bibs for dripping. Flush the water heater if it hasn't been done in the past year — before summer heat compounds the hard water scale issue already common in Brevard County.
Exterior Wood and Paint
Inspect all exterior wood surfaces — decking, fencing, soffits, fascia, window trim — for paint failure, soft spots, and early rot. Any bare wood discovered in spring needs to be primed and painted before rainy season begins. Wood that enters June's wet season unprotected will absorb months of moisture, accelerating deterioration significantly.
Screen Enclosures and Outdoor Structures
Inspect screen enclosure frames for bent or corroded sections and screens for tears from last year's storm season. Small screen tears are easy and cheap to repair; large ones that admit mosquitoes into the lanai are a quality-of-life problem through the summer. Check that all screen door hardware — latches, springs, and closers — is functional. Inspect any outdoor structures (pergolas, sheds, deck railings) for loose hardware and structural integrity before summer wind events stress them.
Spring Maintenance Checklist Summary
- ☐ Schedule HVAC professional service
- ☐ Replace HVAC filter; clean condensate drain
- ☐ Clean gutters and extend downspouts
- ☐ Inspect roof from ground level; address concerns before season
- ☐ Recaulk failed window and door joints
- ☐ Inspect and replace weatherstripping and door sweeps
- ☐ Check under all sinks and behind toilets
- ☐ Flush water heater
- ☐ Inspect exterior wood and repaint bare areas
- ☐ Check screen enclosures and outdoor structures
- ☐ Trim trees and branches within striking distance of the roofline
Need help working through your spring maintenance list in Palm Bay? Call (877) 916-5930 or visit our weatherproofing and maintenance service page. We handle the full list in a single organized visit.