Have you ever dreamed of enjoying your morning coffees on top of a sun-drenched patio, every single day? If the answer is yes, then Florida should be your place. The place is called “The Sunshine State” for a reason!
However, with all the warmth, comes great challenges for home-owners who like to make the best use of their outdoor spaces. The humidity and UV rays are always there to cause trouble. On top of that, hurricanes and tropical downpours can damage your backyard overnight, without any warning at all.
The good news is, with some proper planning and habits, you can turn your outdoor space into a gorgeous, enjoyable, and functional space. How to do that? That’s what this article is about!
Let’s Read the Room First
Before diving deep into the maintenance tips, let’s try to understand Florida’s weather first. In Florida, you need to deal with 2 seasons. The first one being a hot and rainy summer that lasts from around May to October. The second season is a warm and dry winter. In between the two, you may enjoy a brief period of perfect weather.
The biggest environmental drawback Florida faces is the constant UV exposure, which fades the paint, and depletes sealants. Also, the humidity is high here, which aids the growth of mold and mildew as well as heavy and frequent rainfall. For people who live near the coast, salty air is a common phenomenon.
Taking all these into consideration, In Florida you should focus your outdoor maintenance strategy on drainage, protection and regular maintenance.
1. Make your outdoor surfaces protected
Florida’s weather harms your driveways, walkways, patio and deck every single day. The high humidity creates a favorable condition for mold and algae to grow on the pavers and patios. To create a protective barrier, you can apply a good quality sealant. It will reduce water absorption and slow down the unexpected growth of mold and mildew.
To ensure an extended life cycle of your patios and driveways, you should apply a good quality sealant every 6 months. If the surface experiences heavy traffic or harsh weather, it will be better to use it a bit more frequently.
While maintaining this, you should also keep up with the regular sweeping and cleaning. To keep the areas dry, you must remove the leaves and dirt. This will minimize the possibility of mold or mildew developing.
For tilted areas and pool decks, you should go for slip-resistant sealants. They keep the surface protected and also your family safe from the sudden rainstorms.
2. Incorporate Proper Shades into the Outdoor Design
Florida sun is dangerous, and without a proper shade, the outdoor furniture can easily get faded and surfaces may become too hot to even touch. Thus, spending time outside can be seriously uncomfortable.
If you plant some shade trees with broad canopies strategically, it can offer you a comfortable cooling effect. It can even reduce the energy consumption of your home. When you are choosing trees, choose native species such as Southern Magnolia, Live Oak, or anything else that can take the scorching heat and humidity of Florida.
To cover small sections of outdoor spaces, you can go for options like big umbrellas, shade sails, and awnings. Another good option can be pergolas with retractable canopies, as they offer flexibility and bring in a resort-style, polished feel into your outdoor space.
3. Stay on top of the gutters and drainage
This is one thing that often gets overlooked until it’s too late. Clogged gutters and poor drains can flood the foundation, and a little maintenance can help you save thousands of dollars in repair expenses. In the rainy season, gutters often fill up really fast, even faster when you have trees around.
During the rainy season, you should make it a habit to clear your gutters at least once every month. Also, do it after any major storm.
Don’t forget to make sure that water can’t stand near your home base, as it can lead to serious structural damage.
4. Do regular pressure wash
Through pressure washing, you can make sure grit and grime can’t build up. Take care of your patios, driveways, exterior walls, and fences. Run a complete pressure wash twice a year at least, one right before summer and another before fall. If you have an area that’s heavily shaded, better do it every quarter.
5. Prepare the spaces for Hurricane
You know how dangerous Florida’s storm can be. To stop the loose branches and furniture from turning into dangerous projectiles, you should trim the trees regularly. Remove dead and weak branches, and secure the grills, outdoor furniture, and other decorations before a hurricane actually hits.
As long-term actions, you can install hurricane clips on the roof. Also, consider installing impact-rated versions of windows. To reduce storm damages significantly, it can be a smart idea to use elastomeric or ceramic exterior.
6. Embrace the Florida Lifestyle
Florida has built a whole culture around outdoor living. Thanks to the waterfront entertainment, excellent dining, resort-style swimming pools, and beautiful tropical landscaping, it often feels like a never-ending vacation.
If you are also considering enjoying your life in Florida, especially in South Florida, then you should first have a proper idea of how daily life looks like in this region. To understand how life feels like in South Florida’s coastal communities, you can check out this guide to living in Palm Beach, Florida. It will help you realize the local vibe and neighborhood characteristics.
Final Thoughts
Owning a Florida home is fun and beautiful, as long as you follow regular maintenance and upkeep. If you really want your home to look stunning and hold its value for years, then you should properly follow the tips given in this article.
If it feels like a big hassle, start with one thing at a time. Pick just one task from the list, do it over the weekend. Add up the other ones over time, and make it into a habit. The payoff? You will get a home that offers you a resort vibe, every single day!
