If you are away for part of the year, the outside of your Florida home still takes the weather, and UF/IFAS warns that heavy seasonal rains force water inside if a home has defects and that algae and mildew may thrive. Clear the roof, gutters, and downspouts, keep up the landscaping, line up someone to check the house and prepare it for a storm, and schedule exterior cleanings so they happen whether or not you are here.
Why the rainy months matter
The National Weather Service's Tampa Bay office puts the rainy season for Southwest Florida at May 15 to October 15, with warm, humid weather and frequent showers and thunderstorms. Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. For part-time residents, that overlaps with the months you may be away. UF/IFAS warns that heavy seasonal rains will force water inside a home that has defects, and that algae and mildew may thrive.
What UF/IFAS and the City of North Port recommend for the outside
- Clear leaves and debris from the roof, gutters, and downspouts (UF/IFAS).
- Trim overgrown vegetation and remove dead branches that could cause damage in a storm (City of North Port).
- Arrange regular trimming and mowing, or a landscape maintenance company for long absences (UF/IFAS and North Port).
- Secure outdoor furniture, decor, and planters, and anything else that could become airborne in high winds (North Port).
- Seal gaps around windows, doors, and walls with caulk, and check doors, windows, and screens for gaps (UF/IFAS and North Port).
- Arrange to close shutters and prepare the home if a hurricane threatens (UF/IFAS).
- Find a trusted person to check the property routinely and after severe weather (UF/IFAS and North Port).
Some police departments offer property checks on request. North Port's page says its checks depend on officer availability, so treat them as a backup, not the plan.
A cleaning plan built around your travel
Cleaning doesn't replace repairs, but it keeps growth, grime, and clogs from getting a head start. This is a general pattern, not a rule. Adjust it for your trees, shade, and sprinklers.
| When | What to do | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Before you leave | Clear the gutters and downspouts. Have the windows and screens cleaned. Look over the roof edges and walls for algae, stains, and cracks. Walk the yard for loose branches and debris. | The rainy season is warm and humid, and UF/IFAS says heavy rain forces water inside if a home has defects. A clean, draining roofline gives it less to work with. |
| While you are away | Have someone you trust check the house routinely and after severe weather, including the gutters and the yard. | Storm debris and clogs are easier to deal with early. Both UF/IFAS and the City of North Port recommend a trusted person. |
| Before you return | Clean windows and screens, check the driveway and walkways, soft wash where algae or mildew built up, and look at the roof if streaks show. | You arrive to a clean house. Pressure washing for looks is limited until the water shortage order ends. See pressure washing and the water shortage. |
If you would rather not track it, a Home Care Membership schedules four services a year automatically. Our guide is a home care membership worth it explains who it suits. For the storm side, see the hurricane season checklist for your home's exterior.
Check your sprinkler timer
Sprinkler timers don't know you are gone. UF/IFAS advises turning off the water at the exterior meter unless it feeds lawn irrigation, so decide whether your irrigation should run at all. If it does, make sure the schedule matches the current rules. Under the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Modified Phase III order, lawn watering is limited to one day a week by address, at set hours, through March 31, 2027, and local governments can be stricter. Overspray from a neglected system is also a common cause of the stains in our guide to sprinkler stains on Florida homes.
What to ask a company that works while you are away
- How will I know the work was done: a photo, a message, an invoice?
- What will you tell me if you spot a problem, like a cracked wall or a loose gutter?
- Who do I call after a storm?
- How is access handled, and who has it?
- What is included in each visit, and are you insured?
- Can the schedule repeat automatically, and how do I change it?
At Shine Otter, we maintain the outside of homes for owners who live out of town, like the Englewood home near South Venice where co-owner Arthur Smygov does the work. Questions about your own home? Call or text (425) 977-5156.
Frequently asked questions
How often should part-time residents have the exterior cleaned?
There is no single rule. It depends on shade, trees, sprinklers, and how close you are to the water. Many people clean before they leave and before they return, and add a gutter check ahead of hurricane season. A quarterly schedule covers both.
Who should check my house after a storm?
Someone you trust. UF/IFAS advises finding a trusted friend or relative to check on your home routinely, and the City of North Port suggests arranging for someone to check after severe weather. Give them your emergency contacts.
Should I turn off my sprinklers while I am away?
That is your call. UF/IFAS advises turning off the water at the exterior meter unless it feeds lawn irrigation. If your sprinklers do run, set them to the current watering days and hours and aim the heads away from walls and glass.
Can I schedule exterior cleaning while I am out of town?
Yes. Agree in advance on access, what is included, how you will be told the work is done, and who to call if the company finds a problem. Shine Otter's Home Care Memberships schedule four services a year automatically.
Sources & further reading
- UF/IFAS Extension: Closing Your Seasonal Home (FCS3154/HE887)
- City of North Port: Lock Up, Check In, Head Out
- National Weather Service Tampa Bay: Rainy Season
- National Hurricane Center (NOAA)
- Southwest Florida Water Management District: District Water Restrictions
About Shine Otter
Shine Otter is a family owned and operated exterior cleaning company serving Southwest Florida, from Englewood and Venice to Cape Coral and Fort Myers. We handle window cleaning, roof and gutter cleaning, soft washing, driveway and patio cleaning, window screen cleaning, storm debris cleanup, and solar panel cleaning. Call or text (425) 977-5156 for a free quote. Meet the owners.