

Till-: CARF OF THE HOl SK. 133 



controls the circulation of the air of the flue and actually makes the flue an intake instead of an out-take 

 The last may he remedied either by increasing the height of the chimney or by the erection of screens to 

 prevent the air being drawn from the fireplace into such air-shafts. This trouhle often occurs where the 

 supply of air to the fireplace is insufficient, and may sometimes be remedied by making additional openings 

 in the larger air-shaft by windows or other means at the lower part of the building. Flues are subjected 

 to very considerable wear and tear, and, consequently, the bricks and materials with which they are made 

 and lined are easily displaced. It is difficult and costly to examine and repair flues continually, and 

 where they give constant trouble it may be cheaper and more satisfactory to line the Hues with lire- 

 resisting linings, and thus allow them to be kept in a cleaner condition. Generally speaking, if the smoke 

 and fumes successfully pass up the first ten feet of the flue, little trouble is found. This portion of tin- 

 Hue should he the first point of inspection. Additional air supplied to the fireplace is sometimes more or 

 less successful, but will never he entirely successful so long as there is a greater air-shaft or a higher air- 

 shaft in close proximity which has not in itself a sufficient air supply. All fireplaces should be built with 

 solid backs, otherwise soot will accumulate. Cracked hearths should have immediate attention, as thev 

 are the cause of many avoidable outbreaks of lire. Floors should be free of coverings before inspection. 

 Open joints are caused by the wood shrinking owing to the wood before use not being properly seasoned 

 or being laid too soon after exposure- to wet or damp weather, or may be caused, perhaps, by being exposed 

 to excessive heat from adjoining heating-pipes, radiators, fireplaces or Hues. Open joints in the boarding 

 should he filled in with fillets to prevent damage to ceilings underneath from water percolating during tin- 

 process ol cleaning. Floors out of level may be caused through the joists ;md floor generally being too 

 weak to carry the weight put on the:n by continual excessive vibration, hy deterioration of the timber, 

 or by settlement of the walls or other supports, or by the end of the supporting timbers having rotte 1. 

 Interior pavings of wood blocks, tiles, marble and other materials should he inspected lor cracks and loose 

 pans. When any part is relaid care should be taken that all edges of the old work are thoroughly 

 clean and that new work is laid with a solid bed. All internal pipes, wires and other conductors should 

 be tested throughout the various systems, all tanks noted where requiring cleaning out, all valves should 

 he labelled to allow of further easy inspection, and all safety valves, expansion pipes and exhausts tried. 



I he la U items tor inspection, but by no means the least important, are the interior sanitary lit! no 

 and the connecting pipes and fittings. All traps, inspection caps and chambers should be clear and clean, 

 and the whole of the pipes above ground should be tested with smoke. The whole of the underground 

 work should also be tested with smoke or water, care being take.i that all fresh air intakes and ventilating 

 pipes are clear at the completion of the test and that all inspection caps and covers are properly replaced 

 with sufficient bedding. 



To complete the survey, carefully note any matters which might affect the structure, such as undue 

 watering of the garden immediately next the house. Care should be taken that the ground adjoining 

 the building is at a proper level, /.( .. well below the damp-courses, and that all dry drams around the 

 premises are in a proper state of cleanliness and repair. 



In conclusion, the careful man will keep detailed accounts of the expenditure on maintenance, 

 so that he mav see year by year what part of the property is costing an excessive amount to keep in repair. 

 This will indicate where radical restoration, or even partial rebuilding, is required, and thus reduce the 

 annual drain for excessive maintenance. A. AI.IJAN H. SCOTT. 



