Coming back to Naples after several months away is usually exciting. But before unpacking everything and settling in, I would spend 20–30 minutes walking through the house.
Florida summer is hard on an unattended property. Heat, humidity, heavy rain and thunderstorms can turn a very small maintenance issue into something much more noticeable by the time an owner returns. September is also still within Atlantic hurricane season, so exterior and moisture checks are especially useful.
1. Check the AC Before Anything Else
Don't just look at the thermostat. Stand near several supply vents and make sure you actually feel cool airflow. Listen for unusual sounds and look around the indoor unit for moisture.
In Naples, an AC system does more than cool the house. It also helps control indoor humidity. A house can feel reasonably cool while still having a humidity problem. For routine homeowner-level help, see our AC maintenance and AC help in Naples.
2. Look at Indoor Humidity
If you have a thermostat or separate humidity monitor, check the reading. Also use your eyes and nose. A musty smell, condensation, swollen doors, damp closets or spots around vents deserve attention even if the temperature looks normal.
Closets on exterior walls and rooms that stay closed for months are especially worth checking.
3. Look Under Every Sink
Open the cabinets beneath kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, wet bars and laundry sinks. Run the water and watch the supply connections, drain fittings and cabinet floor. A slow drip can remain unnoticed for a long time in a vacant home. Small accessible issues may fit our minor plumbing repair service in Naples.
4. Flush Every Toilet
Flush each toilet and let the tank refill. Look around the base afterward. A toilet that rocks, leaks at the base, continuously runs or fills unusually slowly should be checked before regular use resumes.
5. Run Faucets and Showers
Fixtures that haven't been used for months deserve a quick test. Run hot and cold water. Check for dripping around faucet bases, handles, showerheads and connections. Also pay attention to drains that empty slowly.
6. Check the Dishwasher and Garbage Disposal
Before loading the dishwasher for the first big dinner back in Naples, inspect underneath the kitchen sink and around the dishwasher. Look for moisture or signs of an older leak. Run the garbage disposal briefly and listen for anything unusual.
7. Inspect Ceilings and Walls
Walk through the house looking up. Look for new stains, bubbling paint, discoloration, drywall changes, moisture around vents and marks near windows or exterior doors.
A small stain doesn't automatically mean there is a major problem, but it is much easier to investigate while it is still small.
8. Check Smoke and CO Detectors
Press the test button on each detector. Replace batteries where appropriate and check the age of older units. This is one of the easiest things to forget when returning to a seasonal property.
9. Walk the Lanai
Naples summer storms can be rough on screen enclosures. Look for torn or loose side screen panels, damaged spline and places where screens have pulled away from the frame. Also inspect doors and latches. See our Naples lanai screen repair page for side-panel and screen-door help.
A small screen tear is usually much easier to deal with before it becomes a large opening.
10. Look Around Exterior Doors and Windows
Check whether doors operate normally and locks still work smoothly. Look around thresholds and window areas for evidence that water entered during heavy rain. Don't forget sliding doors leading to the lanai.
11. Test the Small Things You Depend On
- Ceiling fans
- Frequently used lights
- Smart locks
- Thermostats
- Garage keypad
- GFCI outlets where appropriate
Finding these problems during the first few days is much easier than discovering them when guests arrive.
12. Walk Around the Outside of the House
Finally, walk the perimeter. Look for anything obviously different from when you left: displaced outdoor items, drainage problems, damaged screens, loose fixtures or signs of water intrusion.
After months away, the goal isn't to perform a technical inspection. It is simply to notice what changed.
What I Would Fix First
If I found several issues during the walk-through, I would prioritize them in this order: water → AC/humidity → safety → exterior openings → convenience items.
A dripping plumbing connection matters more than a ceiling fan that isn't working. A humidity problem matters more than a loose cabinet handle. That order helps prevent small problems from becoming expensive ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I check first when returning to my seasonal home in Naples?
Start with the AC, indoor humidity and potential water leaks. Then inspect toilets, faucets, appliances, ceilings, smoke detectors, doors and the lanai.
Should I run the water after a Naples home has been vacant?
Yes. Run faucets, showers and toilets while watching for leaks, unusual drainage or fixture problems.
Should I inspect my lanai after being away for the summer?
Yes. Summer thunderstorms and wind can loosen or damage screen panels, spline and doors.
Can a handyman perform a seasonal home check?
A handyman can help with a visual maintenance check and many small non-permit repairs. Problems requiring licensed electrical, HVAC, plumbing or other contractor work should be referred appropriately.
If your seasonal home is in North Naples, our Pelican Marsh homeowner guide covers community-specific maintenance and association considerations.
The Bottom Line
The first day back in a seasonal Naples home shouldn't only be about turning on the refrigerator and unpacking. Walk the property first. Check for water. Check the AC. Check humidity. Look up at the ceilings. Open the cabinets. Flush the toilets. Walk the lanai.
Most of what you're looking for is small. That's exactly the point. Catching a small problem when you arrive is usually much better than discovering it several weeks later.
For owners who are away for extended periods, our Naples Home Watch and seasonal home check service is the closest related service. You may also want to read our August Storm Check for Naples Homes before the next stretch of heavy summer weather.
QuoteHandyman provides handyman and maintenance services within applicable scope. Conditions that require permits or licensed contractor work are referred appropriately.
Late September in Naples: See our late-September Florida home checklist for AC, humidity, lanai, drainage and hurricane-season checks as fall begins.