132 THE HOUSE AND ITS EQUIPMENT. 



following rain, or by the bruising of the wall by misuse of ladders, the material will seldom coat over again. 

 The outside surface of the walling should be treated as gently as internal plastering. The examination 

 of the external walls should be started at the top. Dampness from leaking gutters, etc., should be 

 looked for. With the constant closing of windows the mortar often gets cracked and loose, not only 

 round the frame, but also under the sills, which is a favourable place for trouble. The under-side of most 

 projecting sills have a groove of sufficient size to prevent water meeting the surface of the wall ; this 

 often gets filled up, and should be raked clean. The condition of all horizontal and vertical damp-proof 

 courses should be ascertained as far as possible. Arches and lintels quickly record any settlement in the 

 structure. \Yhen cracks appear, the cause of the trouble should be first ascertained. Merely to cut out 

 the cracked part and make it good is but temporarily to hide the warning that something is wrong. \\ hen 

 cracks occur it is necessary to examine them all systematically. It may be found that the roof and floors 

 transmit undue strain to the wall, and before the foundations are blamed all other causes should be 

 eliminated. If there is foundation trouble, it may be due to innumerable reasons, such as the gradual 

 destroying of the bearing surface by leakage from waste or other pipes, by underground drains or water- 

 pipes which may be allowing percolation of liquids. Excavations should not be made anywhere near the 

 building to a greater depth than the foundations. The effect of weather on different subsoils varies 

 considerably ; clay may become dry and cracked at a depth of six feet below the ground, and during a 

 long spell of dry weather will probably be affected at a much greater depth. 



Decaying stone and brickwork should be thoroughly cleaned down, and may be treated with one 

 of the many preservatives on the market. All decaying woodwork should be immediately cut out and 

 replaced with new. Cutting out, however, should be the last resort in almost all other materials. If 

 the smaller, but important items, such as the flashings, pointings, fillets and water-grooves, are kept in 

 good condition, little replacing will be required. Pavings around buildings should, if necessary, be relaid 

 so that the water is discharged away from the walls, and if immediately next to the building, should be 

 kept with good waterproof joints. Where there are pavings, the ground beneath is apt to retain water 

 to a considerable extent owing to lack of evaporation. In dry weather, pavings round buildings are an 

 advantage, as the ground beneath is kept moist, and, provided the joints are good, they are no 

 disadvantage in winter. All gulleys, traps and other water conveyors should be kept water-tight. 

 External ironwork should be kept absolutely clear of rust. At the point where ironwork is built into 

 walls moisture is certain to be found. To overcome consequent decay a small cement band should be 

 formed round the iron next the wall. 



All putty to glazing should be kept in good condition, otherwise wood sr.shes will suiter. I he 

 leads in leaded lights occasionally require to be run over and dressed close to the glass. All external pumps, 

 tanks, pipes, wires and other conductors should be examined for leakages and defects, and the tanks emptied 

 and cleaned periodically. All taps should have a clear flow and be free from leakages. All external 

 painted work should be thoroughly cleaned and painted not less often than every three years. The basis 

 of the paint used should be either of pure English genuine white lead or zinc. 



Turning now 7 to the inside of the house, the roof should be the first point of examination. In 

 timber-work there is a constant movement taking place. It is therefore necessary to examine periodically 

 bolts and straps and joints of all woodwork. If bolts are not kept tightened up, the timbers 

 are apt to spread and cause considerable movement, both in the roof-coverings and in the walls. Rafters 

 and purlins, etc., should be examined, including the beams and joists carrying the ceiling below. Chimney- 

 stacks passing through the roof require inspection, as many fires have arisen from the mortar becoming 

 defective. Where stacks pass through the thickness of the roof they should be coated with cement 

 plaster. 



In examining the rooms, it is convenient to start with the top floor and work down. Ceilings, 

 walls, doors and windows, with their fittings, should be looked at in turn, and any defects or loose parts 

 noted. All ventilators should be clean and in working condition. Ventilating gratings in walls and floors 

 are the cause of trouble unless properly protected. The wind drives rain through them, which 

 saturates adjoining materials, and is often the cause of rot and other forms of decay and damage. 

 Ventilators should be so arranged that air can freely pass and that all rain and snow is excluded. Signs 

 of dampness behind panelling or skirtings should be sought, also openings where dust can accumulate. 

 This may be particularly noticeable at the point where the skirtings join the floor. If a small quarter- 

 round oak fillet be added, it will not only form a cover, but will protect the painted skirting from being 

 damaged by constant cleaning of the floor. All fireplaces, flues and mantel-pieces should be very carefully 

 gone over. Smoky chimneys can often be remedied if the cause is ascertained. They are, however, 

 among the most difficult defects to deal with, and often require long examination and trials by an expert 

 before their real cause is found. The following notes on the causes of down-draught may be useful : (a) An 

 adjoining flue may be of a much lower temperature and thus cool the rising gases and smoke too quickly ; 

 (b) the chimney may not be high enough to cause an adequate upward draught ; (c) an adjoining 

 flue, or even a part of the building, such as a staircase or open gallery, may act as an upward shaft which 



