Late-Summer Home Checklist for Alabama’s Gulf Coast (Mobile & Baldwin Counties)

As August rolls into September, Gulf Coast homeowners juggle three realities: high humidity, peak hurricane season, and cooling costs that don’t cool down. This quick, practical checklist focuses on tasks that protect your budget and your property in Mobile and Baldwin Counties—no fluff, just the moves that matter.Jump to:

• HVAC & Indoor Air
• Moisture, Mold & Crawlspaces
• Hurricane-Season Prep
• Roof, Gutters & Exterior
• Yard, Trees & Outdoor Water
• Your 2-Hour Weekend Plan
• When to DIY vs Call a Pro

HVAC & Indoor Air

• Swap filters (MERV 8–11) and set a reminder every 30–60 days while AC runs daily.
• Set humidity to ~50% if you have a whole-home dehumidifier. If not, consider portable units for problem rooms.
• Clean supply/return vents and clear furniture from registers for better airflow.
• Attic check: If temps feel extreme or insulation looks patchy, you’re likely losing money through the roof.

Pro tip: If your inside air feels cool but sticky, that’s a dehumidification issue, not a cooling one.

Moisture, Mold & Crawlspaces

Quick Wins

• Run bath and kitchen exhaust fans during and 15 minutes after use.
• Keep interior doors open for airflow; close blinds on sun-facing windows in the afternoon.
• Check under sinks & around toilets for slow leaks—small drips cause big problems in our climate.

Crawlspace Basics

• Look for standing water, earth contact with joists, or damp insulation.
• Ensure gutters/downspouts carry water at least 6–10 feet away from the foundation.
• Consider a vapor barrier and drainage improvements if you see recurring moisture.

Heads-up: Musty odors, cupping floors, or rust on metal ductwork are classic high-humidity clues.

Hurricane-Season Prep (Fast Version)

• Supplies: 3–5 days of water & ready-to-eat food, batteries, power banks, first-aid, pet needs.
• Docs: Back up insurance policies, photos of each room, and serial numbers to cloud + a USB.
• Power: Test your generator (outdoors only), fuel stabilizer, and extension cords rated for load.
• Shutters: Locate hardware, pre-label panels by window, and do a dry run.
• Comms: Create a simple family plan with two check-in contacts (one local, one out-of-state).

Roof, Gutters & Exterior

Roof & Drainage

• Visually scan for missing/curled shingles and exposed nail heads; note any ceiling stains inside.
• Clear gutters and ensure downspouts discharge far from the slab or piers.
• Trim limbs 8–10 feet from the roof to reduce storm damage and leaf buildup.

Windows, Doors & Siding

• Re-caulk cracks and sun-baked seams (south & west sides get the most wear).
• Replace brittle weather-stripping to cut heat gain and moisture intrusion.
• Pressure-wash mildew on shaded sides; keep siding vents clear.

Yard, Trees & Outdoor Water

• Inspect irrigation for leaks; water early morning to minimize evaporation and fungus.
• Mulch beds 2–3 inches—great for moisture retention and weed control.
• Hire a certified arborist for any large, leaning, or storm-damaged trees near structures.

Your 2-Hour Weekend Plan

1. Walk the exterior with your phone: take photos of roof edges, gutters, siding seams, and window caulk.
2. Change HVAC filters, vacuum return vents, and set a calendar reminder for 30 days.
3. Test shutters and generator, then stage your storm hardware in one labeled bin.
4. Snap photos of each room for your insurance folder.

Tip: A 10-minute photo walkthrough after each season makes insurance conversations painless.

DIY or Call a Pro?

DIY: Filters, vents, simple caulking, shallow gutter cleanouts, photos, and basic storm prep.

Call a pro: Roofing repairs, tree work, persistent crawlspace moisture, electrical generator interlocks, or any water intrusion that repeats after rain.

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Written for Gulf Coast homeowners by Gulf Coast Living. Have a topic you want covered? Send a note.