Maintenance
The Repair Checklist for a House You Just Bought
The inspection report is a starting point. Here is what to actually do in the first month.
A home inspection tells you what is wrong. It does not tell you what to do first. Here is a practical order for a Florida house.
Week one — anything involving water
- Check under every sink for staining, active drips or a stop valve that will not turn.
- Look at every caulk line in every bathroom and kitchen. Failed caulk is where water gets behind tile.
- Run every fixture including the ones in rooms you will not use, and watch how they drain.
- Check the water heater's age and, if it is in an attic or over living space, that its pan drains somewhere useful.
- Confirm every bathroom exhaust fan works and actually vents outside rather than into the attic.
- Look for staining on ceilings, particularly below bathrooms and around the attic access.
Week two — the envelope
- Walk the exterior and look at every caulk joint around doors and windows.
- Check soffits and fascia for soft spots and rot, which is where Florida houses fail first.
- Look at the grade around the foundation — it should fall away from the house, not toward it.
- Check that downspouts discharge away from the foundation rather than beside it.
Week three — the systems and the small stuff
- Change the HVAC filter, and find and clear the condensate line.
- Test every door and window for operation and locking.
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace anything older than its rated life.
- Change the locks. Nobody knows how many keys exist.
What can wait
Cosmetic work. Paint colours, backsplash, trim upgrades — all of it is more enjoyable to decide once you have lived in the house through a season and know how the light and the traffic actually work.
What should not wait
Anything involving active water, anything structural, and anything the inspection flagged as a safety item. In Florida the cost of deferring water problems compounds faster than almost anywhere.
Getting it done
Call (863) 633-5499 or request a free estimate and we will look at it and give you an honest, itemised number rather than a range off a screen.
Frequently asked questions
What should a new homeowner fix first in Florida?
Anything involving water. Failed caulk, drips under sinks, exhaust fans that do not vent outside, and blocked condensate lines all cause damage that compounds. Cosmetic work can wait until you have lived in the house for a season.
Does a home inspection catch everything?
No — an inspection is a visual assessment of what is accessible on the day. It does not open walls, and it is not a guarantee. Treat it as a prioritised starting list rather than a complete one.
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