112 



Labourers' Cottages. 



[may, 



work their somewhat smooth surface provides a poor key for 

 plastering. The latter disadvantage may be remedied by a 

 wash of cement and coarse sand, but the bricks can now be 

 obtained properly grooved or keyed for plastering. 



Foundations. — It frequently happens that the subsoil of 

 the selected site is of a character which renders concrete 

 under the footings necessary to a depth of 9 in. or 12 in., 

 the object being to distribute the superincumbent weight 

 over a greater area than would be the case were the walls 

 built directly on the soil. If the ground be made-up ground, 

 or uneven or variable in its strength, the concrete may also 

 have to act as a lintel. Where the subsoil is of rock, chalk, 

 gravel, or compact sand, footings may be unnecessary. 



Walls. — Where walls are built of brick a thickness of 9 in. 

 is usually prescribed for external walls. In some situations, 

 however, particularly those on high ground and exposed to 

 the south-west, it has been proved that a 9-in. wall will not 

 prevent the damp from penetrating (though the quality of 

 the bricks used may account for this in some cases), and in 

 such circumstances hollow walls may be adopted. 



Hollow or cavity walls serve two useful purposes : first, 

 to preserve a more uniform temperature inside the building ; 

 and secondly, to prevent dampness extending from without 

 to the interior of the building. The cavity between the walls 

 should not exceed in., and should in all cases commence 

 from the damp course. Iron ties should be either galvanised 

 or tarred and sanded, and inserted at least three to every 

 superficial yard, and these not directly over one another, but 

 midway between those immediately beneath them. The 

 heads of all doors and window openings should be protected 

 by means of strips of lead or zinc from any moisture that may 

 drain upon them, and should extend 2 in. beyond the ends of 

 the woodwork. 



Although the useful purposes served by hollow walls are 

 obvious, what are known as 11-in. hollow walls are not to 

 be recommended, as they involve a sacrifice of strength and 

 stability as compared with a 9-in. solid brick wall well and 

 properly built in English or Flemish bond. Opinions may 

 differ on this point, but it seems obvious that two detached 

 4j-in. walls, with no additional bond beyond that of three 



