Race against winter

Consider them the rites of fall — football games, leaf raking, cider mill visits.

Before you settle into the sofa in front of a roaring fire, remember that fall also means getting your house ready for the coming months of cold, snow, slush and ice.

“It’s important to winterize your home now because the weather can change in a heartbeat — procrastinate and you’ll pay for it later,” says Tim Carter, who writes a newspaper home repair-building column.

“Plus, there are many exterior building products such as caulk and masonry materials that are temperature sensitive, and typically need temperatures in the 40s to dry and cure properly.”

While some autumn maintenance tasks are obvious — closing the swimming pool, blowing out the in-ground sprinkling system — other chores are too easily forgotten, such as cleaning sump pumps.

Some jobs require professional repair people so where do you find reputable repairmen to assist you with these jobs?

“Good contractors need good materials so you go to the source,” says Carter.

“Look in the Yellow Pages under roofing supplies, for example, and call the companies listed mid-morning or mid-afternoon when they are not so busy. Ask the general manager to give you names and numbers of contractors who have been their customers for 15 years or more, contractors who pay their bills and contractors who the manager personally has hired or recommended before.”

To help you with your autumn domestic chores, here is a handy checklist.

Cut it out, put it on the refrigerator and check off each chore when you complete it.

Roof: Make a visual inspection. If you can’t physically climb onto the roof, use binoculars. A roof should be straight.

Any sagging might signal rotting sheeting. Look for missing, dried or broken shingles. Flashing (thin metal strips around vents and other roof openings) should be examined for leaks.

Look for vents that might have become detached.

If you spot any of these problems, get them repaired as soon as possible.

Chimney: Loose brick, crumbling mortar joints and missing caps are signs of neglect on brick stone chimneys. Hire a mason for these repairs.

Your chimney should have a cap to keep out critters and moisture. Indoors, use a flashlight to inspect the inside of your fireplace. The damper should operate freely, and the flue should be free of creosote buildup, which can cause unwanted fires.

If you use your fireplace frequently, schedule an annual cleaning with a professional chimney sweep.

Gutters and downspouts: Leaves and debris can clog your gutters this winter and force water from melting ice to seep back under the shingles. To remove wet leaves and debris, use a two-person system.

One person works on the ladder, digging with a garden trowel or plastic scoop, while the other is stationed at the base of the ladder, holding it steady.

Repair or replace sagging gutters and reattach loose downspouts. Make sure downspouts carry water at least three feet away from the house to prevent basement moisture.

Ridge vents need to be kept unobstructed in order for your house to breathe correctly.

Ice dams can be controlled by preventing heat loss from the house. For immediate action after a snowfall, remove snow from the roof (a roof rake and push broom can be used to remove snow).

For long-term action, increase the ceiling-roof insulation to cut down on heat loss by conduction.

Heating system: An annual inspection and cleaning by a licensed heating contractor is a wise investment. Some tasks, including changing filters on a monthly basis, you can do yourself.

A well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently and saves money in the long run.

Registers, vents and duct openings also need to be cleaned.

Beware of furnace scams, however. If a serviceman says you need a new furnace, for example, get a second opinion. Your heating system should be cleaned more often if your family has indoor pets.

Learn more about indoor air quality from Lennox Industries at www.lennox.com.

Sump pump: Manufacturers recommend that sump pumps be examined and cleaned four times a year, and one of those times is now. When sump pumps are exposed to extreme cold, ice can form on the pumps and cause damage that prevents the pumps from turning on.

This is especially critical toward the end of winter, when snow starts to melt, and the pumps are needed to keep your basement from flooding.

Doors and windows: Caulk, and replace worn weather stripping and broken or cracked glass. Install storm windows.

Seal during temperate weather, because sticky materials stop sticking when temperatures dip below 50 degrees.

Siding: Repair or replace loose siding. Check for rotted wood siding and replace, if necessary.

Exterior faucets: Turn off the water supply before the first frost. A shutoff valve usually is situated in the basement or crawl space near each exterior faucet.

Roll up hoses and store them in a dry place.

Humidifier: The water compartment needs to be cleaned annually and mineral deposits removed. Check and replace the absorbent media pads, which often dry out and deteriorate during the summer.

Air conditioners: Store or cover and seal a window unit tight with its tarp or cover. Insulate between the side of the unit and window frame with Fiberglas-covered fiberboard and caulk the gaps.

Partially cover free-standing units, allowing them to breathe.

Learn more at the Carrier Corp. Web site: www.carrier.com.

Concrete walls and driveways: Cracked, uneven driveways and walks will only get worse over the winter. Repair or replace now.

Rodent infestation: Seal up possible entrances to your home using sheet metal, steel or concrete. Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime.

Porch, patio, deck: Check shelter supports and foundations for rot or separation. Store or cover patio furniture, terra cotta planters and barbecues.

Outdoor lighting: Make sure all switches, timers and bulbs are working. Advance timers for darkness arriving earlier.

Insulation: Install attic insulation to eliminate drafts and lower heating bills. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, up to 45 percent of a home’s energy loss is through the attic.

Garages: Check the weather tripping at the bottom of your garage door. Moisture buildup tends to cause the bottom of garage doors to warp, preventing them from working properly.

Accumulated snow and ice also will keep the door from closing correctly.

Snow throwers, lawn mowers: Start the snow thrower now to make sure it works properly. As a backup, buy a couple of snow shovels.

Pour the remaining gas from a power mower into an approved container, then start the engine and let it run out of gas. Pull the starter cord until it reaches the point of maximum resistance, then release and let the cord recoil.

This sets the engine on its compression stroke where both valves are closed and the cylinder chamber is best sealed from the elements.

Smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide detectors: These don’t last forever. One sign that a smoke alarm needs replacing is when it beeps for no apparent reason. The unit’s sensor is shot; replace the alarm.

Most newer models of carbon-monoxide detectors have test buttons. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to test the detector.

Alarms or detectors that are 10 years old or older should be replaced. Check batteries, too.

First Alert ( www.firstalert.com) recommends replacing batteries when you adjust your clocks to standard time.