191 1.] Labourers' Cottages. 115 



deal of the steam can be disposed of without it penetrating 

 the rooms when the copper is inside the building. 



Provision should be made for storing some of the roof 

 water for general washing purposes, either by tanks or 

 wooden butts well tarred or pitched. 



The yards, walks, &c, should be paved, either with 

 cement, concrete, or hard bricks, or gravelled. 



Damp-course. — There are several materials in general use 

 as damp-proof courses. Of these, a double course of stout 

 slates in cement 6 in. above the level of the surrounding 

 ground and laid to break joint, is the one most commonly 

 used, and is found to be very efficient. In certain districts, 

 particularly in the Midlands, two courses of blue Stafford- 

 shire bricks in cement are used, and if the two courses of 

 brickwork above and below them are set in cement mortar v 

 an equally satisfactory result is obtained. Asphalte, as 

 generally understood, is a mixture of bitumen and tar, and 

 is proof against damp rising, but it is liable to squeeze out 

 under pressure of heavy buildings in very hot weather. 

 There are certain makes of bitumen sheeting which prove 

 effective for damp courses. On no account should asphalted 

 or tarred felt be used. It is cheap and is used largely in 

 speculative work, but it is inefficient as a damp-proof course f 

 and soon perishes. Its use should therefore be discouraged. 



Sills. — With regard to window-sills, stone is mostly used ; 

 slate is also employed in certain districts. Croft granite stone 

 for sills, steps, &c, has also proved satisfactory. It weathers 

 well, and the cost is about one-half that of ordinary stone. 

 Two courses of quarry tiles, set sloping and well bedded and 

 pointed in cement, are also cheap and efficient. Then there 

 are purpose-made sill bricks, but those of Staffordshire make 

 are to be preferred. Cemented brick-on-edge-in-cement sills 

 are frequently adopted, but unless the cement is of the best 

 quality and the work well performed, they are liable to crack 

 and disintegrate. 



Tiles and Slates. — Tiles and slates form the chief coverings 

 for roofs. Of the former, plain sand-faced tiles and the 

 the Broseley or similar nib tiles are the best. Pan tiles form 

 a cheaper covering, and are sometimes used, but they are 

 not a desirable covering for roofs of dwelling-houses. Tiles 



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