FIRST REPAIR, THEN IMPROVE

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 266, 5 August 1932, Page 6

FIRST REPAIR, THEN IMPROVE

To-day’s Opportunity to Renovate & Alter SUGGESTIONS FOR THE HOMEOWNER Though the effect of the Government subsidy has had a gratifying effect on building in Wellington, there is still room for an immensely-increased volume of orders. Few homes are perfect, and lucky is the householder who can claim that every constructional detail is exactly to his liking. Now is his opportunity for a check-up and a serious consideration of ways and means. To-day’s buyer of additions and alterations is fortunate in two respects: the cost of labour is shared by the State and the cost of materials is believed to be at rock-bottom. Whatever the selected job, it can be tackled more cheaply than for a great number of years.'

planning an investment in jKKI? improved household condi‘■K'B A? tions it pays to make a eritlcal examination from cellar 8 8 to attic, front gate to back fence. So close are one’s associations with a home that its faults become familiar and are apt to be overlooked. A purposeful, dispassionate survey often reveals much. Again there is the question of discrimination in alterations. There is little wisdom, for example, in spending the whole of the available money in alterations for the sake of added convenience when certain repair work is. crying out to be done. Similarly it is better to be sure that existing property is in good order and condition before additions are embarked upon. The last observation applies particularly to outdoor work. Year in and

out owners will let fencing, gates, paths, and even house weather-boarding go unrepaired while other tasks are undertaken more or less regularly. The Inevitable day of renewal or extensive repair is put off until it becomes a major operation, calling for considerable outlay. Roof and House Painting. In the cases of wooden iron roofs, painting should be among the first jobs considered. “Paint in winter” is a sensible slogan that is being repeated with increasing effect, for Wellington winters are such that *no particular risk is involved. On the contrary many technical men are of opinion that the cold season is the correct time to paint. While new iron roofs should not be painted for a year or two if full value is to be got from the protective coat, when painting is begun it should be carried out regularly. At the same time roof plumbing work should be Inspected and repaired. Leaks and blockages in watersheds and pipes lead

to endless trouble if not dealt with promptly. Before repair work is considered complete, attention should be paid to wood, concrete, and plaster work, particularly in basements and linings. A rigorous search for borer should be instituted, bearing in mind that, with borer, the proverb of a stitch in time has especial significance. If at all

practicable borer should be eradicated by the removal of the affected wood and, if this be undertaken, the pest must be traced to the fullest limits of its excursions. One overlooked plank can upset the permanency of the job. Added Kitchen Convenience. Now that the house, presumably, is as sound as a set of teeth after a dentist's overhaul, the balance of the sum at one’s disposal can be utilised in making such alterations and additions as have suggested themselves from time to time. As often as not the kitchen and its fittings call for some form of remodelling. A large number of “pre-war” homes, in which the kitchen is conveniently placed next to the dining-room, may be improved cheaply by the installation of a wall servery—a labour-saver that few modern houses are without. If the owner is rather more ambitious,

and space is available, the servery can be accompanied by a cupboard and shelf fitment on the kitchen side and a built-in sideboard on the dining-room side; or, alternatively, a plain opening with a small shelf on the diping-room 1 side and a built-in dresser fitment in the .kitchen. Sink designing has improved greatly in recent years and modern materials are much more satisfactory than those available when the house of average age was built. A remodelled sink-top and bench not only lightens the work of the housewife but is distinctly an asset if at any time the house is placed on the market. It is often said that an attractive bathroom is the best selling point a house can possess. Possibly this is true, but the practical buyer never fails to examine the kitchen sink and bench with a most critical and appraising eye. Windows and Porches. Now for a competent inspection of. windows and window frames. This job, of course, should be placed under the heading of necessary repairs, but there are many., cases in which careful structural alterations or additions cim modernise the appearance of the entire house. The breaking of a flat line by the addition of a bay window .often “makes” both the house and the room concerned. Like open cars, open porches and balconies are gradually passing out of fashion except ip special cases for special requirements. The transformation of an open porch by the addii tion Of glass and sliding windows is I worth considering. With the coming 'of warmer weather a closed porch of reasonable size means virtually the addition of another room to the house. Roller blinds, preferably of a fawn shade, help to equip a suitable porch as a sleeping apartment. An extra lighting point completes the structural equipment. If one decides to replace a worn allover carpet in drawing or dining-room with modern rugs on a stained-floor base, it is well to have the floor examined by an expert. Provided that the timber is of good quality and well laid, the floor can be machine surfaced, ready for staining and polishing, for a small sum. Unless a floor has been properly surfaced the most careful ’ staining and polishing jobs will leave something to be desired.