A care calendar for Treasure Coast walls
Exterior walls in Port St. Lucie don't freeze, but they get more than their share of sun, damp air and wind-driven rain. Most wall damage starts small: a cracked caulk joint, a loose panel, a stain that's really water getting in. A seasonal routine catches those early. The calendar below follows the local seasons, from the dry months to the end of hurricane season.
December to February: wash and look closely
The dry season is the best time to work on walls.
- Wash the walls gently with a garden hose, a soft brush and a cleaner made for your siding or stucco. NOAA counts about 3,067 hours a year at Vero Beach, the nearest station, with the wet-bulb temperature at 73°F or higher, and damp air grows mildew and algae on shaded walls. Avoid high-pressure washing, which drives water behind siding and can damage stucco.
- Check the caulk around windows, doors, vents and hose bibs. Replace anything cracked or pulling away.
- Look for stucco cracks wider than a hairline, bulges or hollow-sounding patches.
- Plan repairs and painting for these months, when walls dry quickly and rain is less frequent.
March to May: the base of the wall
- Pull mulch and soil back so they don't touch siding or stucco. A University of Florida study published in February 2026 found that the invasive Formosan subterranean termite is now established in most of Florida's coastal counties and major urban centers, and that it and the Asian subterranean termite are still spreading. Siding in contact with soil gives termites a hidden path into the wall.
- Look for mud tubes on the foundation and at the bottom of the walls, and for soft or hollow-sounding wood trim.
- Trim shrubs so air can move between plants and walls.
- Check irrigation. Sprinklers that spray the wall every day keep it wet.
Late May: before hurricane season
NOAA lists a 50-year basic wind speed of 140 mph for Vero Beach.
- Fasten loose panels and trim. Wind gets under a loose piece and peels the rest away.
- Check soffits and fascia, where wind often finds a way in.
- Make sure shutters or panels fit and their hardware is in place.
- Photograph every wall so you have a record of their condition before any storm.
June to November: hurricane season
The same NOAA sheet gives a 100-year rainfall rate of 4.5 inches per hour.
- After every big storm, walk around the house and look for missing or cracked siding, loose trim and new stucco cracks.
- Look inside too. Stains on interior walls or around windows after a storm can mean water got behind the siding.
- Photograph damage before cleanup or temporary repairs, and keep receipts for anything you buy.
- Make temporary repairs to keep water out, then get permanent repairs quoted.
Any time: when to call a contractor
- siding that's cracked, warped, loose or missing;
- stucco that bulges, sounds hollow or has cracks wider than a hairline;
- rot in trim or fascia;
- signs of termites;
- water stains inside on an exterior wall.
Keep the records
Keep the siding or stucco product names and colors, the installer's name and license number, warranty papers, paint colors and dates, termite inspection reports and your storm photos. They make repairs and insurance claims much easier.