THREE HOMES A DAY

Evening Star, Issue 22723, 10 August 1937, Page 2

THREE HOMES A DAY

NEWCASTLE'S BUILDING RECORD Nearly £500,000 was spent on building in the Newcastle (N.S.W.) district during tfte first six months of this year. This is believed to be a record for building activity over a half-yearly period. . . The figures in nearly every municipality showed an improvement on those of the corresponding period of last year, revealing that building activity in the district so far has not been checked by rising costs, which are claimed to have slowed up building in Sydney. ' . Construction of new homes continued at a rapid rate. An average of three were built daily. The total for the

whole district was nearly 550, with only ono municipality showing a slight fall-ing-off in homo building. As the amount spent on all buildings throughout the district during 1936 totalled £939,525 (approximately), it is expected confidently that more than £1,000,000 will bo spent in 1937 if the half-yearly figures can be taken as a reliable guide. Builders in the district declare that the activity will continue for some time, particularly in view of the shortage of homes. EFFLORESCENCE UNSIGHTLY WALL SPOTS Efflorescence, the accumulation of salts on the outer surface of a wall, particularly noticeable in those of brick, is a whitish, crystalling deposit resembling hoar frost or mould, and usually appears in patches, disfiguring what would otherwise bo attractive buildings. These salts exist in most types of masonry materials, and are brought to the surface in moisture and left when the moisture evaporates. Efflorescence may sometimes be removed by brushing the spots vigorously with a stiff fibre or wire brush; where this is not effective an acid wash prepared of one part muriatic and from four to 10 parts water, thoroughly scrubbed into the wall and rinsed with clear water will generally remove the unsightly spots. A thorough washing with a diluted solution of ammonia (ono pint of ammonia to two gallons of water) will remove all traces of the acid.