Central Florida Rainy Season Prep Checklist

Florida's rainy season officially begins June 1 — and in Central Florida, that means daily afternoon thunderstorms, occasional flooding events, and a dramatically increased risk of water intrusion for homeowners. Here's your pre-season checklist to protect your home and avoid a restoration call this summer.

Roof and Gutters (Do This First)

Your roof is the first line of defense. Before June:

• Inspect shingles — look for missing, cracked, or curling shingles. Florida's UV exposure degrades asphalt shingles faster than most climates
• Check flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights — these are the most common entry points for water
• Clear gutters and downspouts — clogged gutters overflow and direct water against your foundation and fascia boards
• Check downspout extensions — water should discharge at least 4 feet from the foundation
• Look for soffit and fascia damage — rotted or damaged areas allow water entry and are an early warning sign of chronic moisture problems

Windows and Doors

• Check caulking around all windows and door frames — Florida's UV degrades caulk quickly, and cracked caulk allows water infiltration during heavy rain
• Test door weatherstripping — it should create a seal with no light gaps
• If you have a sliding glass door, check the drainage track — these often get clogged with debris and back up during heavy rain

Drainage Around Your Home

Central Florida's sandy soil can drain well, but compaction and landscaping can redirect water toward your foundation:

• Check the grade — soil should slope away from your foundation at 6 inches over 10 feet. If it doesn't, add soil to correct the grade
• Clear area drains — many Florida homes have catch basins in the yard; make sure they're not clogged with leaves and debris
• Move mulch away from the foundation — mulch retains moisture against stucco and can lead to hidden damage

HVAC Condensate System

Florida's #1 hidden cause of water damage is the AC condensate drain line backing up. In the summer, your AC runs constantly and produces significant condensate:

• Pour a cup of diluted bleach (1:16) down the condensate drain line monthly to prevent algae buildup
• Confirm your float switch (overflow kill switch) is installed and functioning
• Check the drip pan under your air handler — it should be clean and dry

Sump Pump and Water Alarms

If your home has a sump pit (common in homes with crawl spaces or lower-lying areas):

• Test your sump pump by pouring water into the pit to trigger it
• Consider a battery backup sump pump — Florida storms knock out power, and the pump is most needed during storms
• Install inexpensive water alarms under sinks, near the water heater, and in the laundry room — they alert you to small leaks before they become big problems

Review Your Insurance Coverage

Before storm season starts:

• Confirm your policy is current and paid
• Understand your deductible — especially your hurricane deductible, which is separate and typically higher than your standard deductible
• If you're in a flood zone, confirm your NFIP or private flood policy is active
• Document your home's contents with photos or video — store backups off-site or in the cloud

If You Get Hit This Season

Despite all prep, storms sometimes win. If you experience water intrusion, flooding, or storm damage, photograph everything and get help quickly. Early mitigation always beats extended restoration. Call or text CFDR at 321-420-7274. Call any hour. Owner Ryan Solberg takes the calls; if he is on another call, he calls you back.