Fairborn homeowners have a lot to be happy about. Their community includes some of the most beautiful homes in our area. To keep your home at its best, it's a good idea to tackle any outdoor repair work before shorter days (and colder weather) arrive.

Check off these 10 items from your fall maintenance checklist so you can rest easy knowing your home will be ready for the winter months to come.

1. Clean Those Gutters
   Fall is the perfect time to give your gutters a new lease on life. Keeping your gutters clean is essential to protecting your home: Full gutters can cause roof damage. If they're overloaded for too long, gutters may even contribute to foundation damage.
   
   
2. Inspect the Roof
   A quick roof inspection will reveal curled and missing shingles. Quickly replacing these now will make leaks much less likely later on. Remember that even the best roof should only last about 10 years – is it time to consider refreshing yours?
   
   
3. Freshen Your Filters
   Speaking of fresh, the air filters in your HVAC system are essential to maintaining clean air in your home. Depending on the kind you use, it's usually time to clean or replace these every three months. For the highest indoor air quality, remember it every season.
   
   
4. Double-Check Your Wood Furnace
   Wood-burning furnaces are making a comeback. They add a certain charm that simply can't be imitated. If you have one, have it professionally inspected. If you don't have one yet, now may be the best time to check out the prices.
   
   
5. Clean Your Chimney
   Chimney maintenance is a definite "must do" before the winter. Check your fireplaces for signs of soot or creosote build-up. To make sure your chimney is really humming along at its best, consider a quick visit from a reputable local cleaning service.
   
   
6. Test Smoke Detectors, CO Monitors, and Extinguishers
   When it comes to a fire, it's better to be safe than sorry. It only takes a few minutes to test your smoke detectors, and it can make a big difference in an emergency. You should also make sure that your fire extinguishers are operational and full.
   
   
7. Fix Your Windows
   Your home can lose lots of heat through a damaged window, making it that much tougher to maintain the comfortable temperature you want. Use weather-stripping and caulk to seal up any gaps and cracks you notice in the windows.
   
   
8. Think About A Coat of Paint
   Thanks to the lower humidity and cooler temperatures, Fall is probably the best time of the year to launch an exterior painting project. Remember: A new coat of paint is one of the most valuable things you can do to help your home sell faster.
   
   
9. Maintain Exterior Water Pipes
   As temperatures drop below freezing, exterior pipes become more likely to burst. Head them off by turning off the valves to your exterior hose bibs. Then, run the water until the pipes are fully empty. Draining all water from the pipes eliminates freezing risk.
   
   
10. Check Your Trim
    Using a screwdriver, probe the wood trim around your doors, windows, railings, and decks. A tiny bit of caulk can seal any new holes. If the damage is severe, consider replacing the wood.

Interested in Fairborn homes for sale? Our real estate agents are ready to help. Contact us today.