Homeowner Handbook › Owning a home › Routine maintenance
Part 1 · Owning a home in South Hillsborough
Routine Home Maintenance for South Hillsborough Homeowners
By Linda Reynolds · Last reviewed November 2026
In this chapter
Every month · Every three months · Watering rules · By season · Once a year · Keep a maintenance record · Printable calendar (PDF)
The short version
Heat, humidity, salt air near the bay, and storm season are all hard on South Shore homes. A few small habits spread across the year protect your biggest investment, help with insurance inspections, and make your home easier to sell when the time comes. If you live in a villa or condo, check which items your association handles before you start.
Every month
About 20 minutes.
- Check the A/C filter. Replace it when it looks dirty. Here the system runs most of the year, so filters fill up quickly.
- Flush the A/C condensate line. A cup of white vinegar down the drain line helps prevent clogs and water damage.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Press the test button on each one.
- Look under sinks and around the water heater. Small drips caught early are inexpensive fixes.
- Run water in unused bathrooms. This keeps drain traps from drying out and letting in odors or pests, especially in a guest bath that sits empty for weeks.
Every three months
About an hour.
- Walk the outside of your home. Look for cracked stucco, peeling paint, gaps around windows and doors, and signs of pests or wood damage.
- Rinse outdoor equipment if you’re near the water. In Apollo Beach and along the bay in Ruskin, salt air is tough on A/C condensers, lanai screens, and metal fixtures. A gentle freshwater rinse helps.
- Check the irrigation system. Run each zone, adjust heads spraying the house or street, and make sure your timer matches the current watering rules (see below).
- Test GFCI outlets. Press “test” and “reset” on outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, the garage, the lanai, and outdoors.
- Clean the dryer vent. Clear lint from the hose and outside vent cover. It’s a common fire risk.
- Trim plants away from the house. Keep shrubs and mulch off the walls to discourage moisture and pests.
Know your watering days
Sun City Center, Ruskin, Apollo Beach, and Wimauma are in unincorporated Hillsborough County, so the county’s watering rules apply. Your assigned day depends on the last digit of your house number, and sprinklers may only run during set overnight or evening hours.
As of November 2026, the county is under a one-day-a-week watering schedule during a regional water shortage, set to run through March 31, 2027 unless it changes. If your timer is still set for two days a week, it’s worth reprogramming it. Reclaimed water has its own, looser rules.
Rules change with conditions, so check the Hillsborough County watering days page or call the county’s Watering Restriction Information Line at (813) 275-7094 for the current schedule.
By season
Spring, before storm season
- Schedule an A/C tune-up before summer heat
- Inspect shutters or impact windows and hardware
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Trim trees and remove dead limbs
Summer and storm season
- Watch for mold and musty smells indoors
- Check for roof or ceiling leaks after heavy rain
- Keep yard and lanai items easy to secure quickly
- Have your storm plan and documents ready
Fall, after storm season
- Walk the roof line and look for storm damage
- Re-caulk windows, doors, and tubs
- Pressure-wash the roof, driveway, and lanai (follow any current county limits)
- Service pool equipment, if you have a pool
Winter
- Test the heat before the first cool night
- Adjust irrigation for cooler weather
- Seasonal residents: set up a home-watch plan before leaving in spring
- Plan larger projects for the following year
Once a year
Most of these are best handled by a licensed professional.
- Termite and pest inspection. Florida’s climate makes termites a year-round concern. Keep your bond or warranty current.
- Roof inspection. A roof’s age and condition affect your insurance options, so small repairs are worth catching early.
- Flush the water heater. Removing sediment helps it last longer and run more efficiently.
- Replace smoke alarm batteries. Pick one date each year so it becomes a habit.
- Review your insurance policy. Note any upgrades, like a new roof or impact windows, that may qualify for discounts.
- Septic pumping, if your home has a septic system. Some homes in Wimauma and other rural parts of the South Shore are on septic. Ask your service company how often your tank needs it.
Keep a maintenance record
Save receipts, inspection reports, and the dates of major work like a roof, A/C, or water heater replacement. These records help with insurance renewals and give buyers confidence when you sell.
The free printable calendar puts every task on this page into a two-page checklist, with a log for recording major work. Print it and keep it with your home records.
Download the printable calendar (PDF)Facing a repair you can’t take on right now?
A big repair can change your plans. If you’re weighing whether to fix, refinance, or sell, it helps to see all your options side by side.
Need a trusted pro?
Ask Linda for local recommendations, or browse the vendor list.
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Equal Housing Opportunity. This handbook offers general information, not professional advice. For major repairs, use a licensed and insured contractor. Watering rules change with conditions, so confirm the current schedule with Hillsborough County.