A Naples home has a second living area outdoors: the lanai, the pool, the landscaping and the screen enclosure that ties them together. When the owners are away it is also the part of the property that is most exposed to weather and most visible to anyone passing by. A tidy exterior says someone is looking after the house. A neglected one says nobody is home. Exterior checks do both jobs: they catch damage early and they keep the property from looking vacant.
What a provider looks at outside
- Roofline and gutters. A visual check from the ground for missing tiles or shingles, sagging gutters and debris.
- Lanai and screen enclosure. Torn or loose screens, damaged doors, and furniture that has shifted.
- Pool and spa. Water level, whether the equipment is running, and visible algae or debris. This is a check, not pool service.
- Irrigation. Heads that are broken or spraying the house, and zones that run too long or not at all.
- Landscaping. Overgrown shrubs against the house, fallen palm fronds or limbs, and trees that look unstable.
- Doors and garage. Locks, weather stripping and the garage door.
- Exterior lights. Burned-out bulbs and fixtures with water behind the cover.
- Mailbox and entry. Mail, flyers and deliveries that would show the house is empty.
The pool, specifically
A home watch visit is not pool service. Your pool company still balances the chemistry, cleans the filters and handles the equipment. What the home watch provider adds is a second set of eyes between those visits. They note whether the water level has dropped suddenly, whether the equipment is running, whether the water is green or cloudy, and whether anything has fallen into the pool. If they see a problem they report it to you, and you or they can call your pool company.
A sudden drop in the water level can be evaporation or a leak. If you suspect a leak, a pool leak specialist can test the plumbing and the shell. Do not drain an in-ground pool in Southwest Florida without professional advice, because the high water table can push an empty pool out of the ground.
Screens, cages and storm damage
Pool cages and lanai screens take a beating in summer storms. A small tear in a screen can become a large one in the next wind, and a loose panel can damage the house or a neighbor's property. A provider who notices a tear early can tell you and arrange for the repair before the next storm. After a major storm, the exterior check is the first thing to do, and it is one reason owners ask for post-storm checks.
Keeping the house from looking vacant
Newspapers, flyers on the door, packages on the step and a lawn that has gone untouched are all signals. Many providers pick up mail and packages and remove flyers as part of the visit. Ask your landscaper to keep the schedule up even when you are gone, and consider timers on a few interior lights, so the house follows a pattern consistent with someone living there.
Naples-specific exterior concerns
- Salt air and humidity wear on metal fixtures, door hardware and screens near the Gulf and the bays
- Summer thunderstorms bring wind and heavy rain to roofs, screens and landscaping
- Palm fronds and coconuts can drop at any time, and fallen debris collects in pool cages
- Homeowner associations and gated communities often have rules about trash cans, landscaping and storm shutters
- Irrigation systems run on a schedule that may need to change with the seasons and local water restrictions
What drives the cost
Exterior checks are part of the usual visit. The more outdoor features a property has, such as a large lot, a pool, a lanai and a guest house, the longer the visit takes and the more it may cost. Ask your provider how they price a property with a pool and screen enclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Does home watch include pool cleaning?
No. Home watch checks that the pool and equipment look normal and reports problems. Your pool service company handles chemistry, cleaning and repairs.
Will the provider notice a torn pool cage screen?
That is part of a good exterior check. They should tell you with a photo so you can have it repaired before the next storm.
Can the provider handle lawn care?
Typically not. Providers coordinate with your landscaper but do not usually mow or trim themselves.
Areas served
Naples, Old Naples, Park Shore, Moorings, Coquina Sands, Port Royal, Pelican Bay, Grey Oaks, Mediterra, Quail West, Talis Park, Tiburon. Home watch in Bonita Springs | Home watch in Estero | Home watch in Marco Island