Evening star., 1934-05-13
EXPERTS SIMPLIFY
HOME PROBLEMS
Periodical Check.Up Sug.
uested to Owners in Bet
terment Race.
BY VINCENT TUTCHING.

BY VINCENT TUTCHING.
Ways and means of reconditioning
homes to enhance their value, pre-
serve them and beautify communities,
constitute one of the problems which
housing experts have tackled In an
effort to intemsently guide home own
erS in this important activity.
Out Of the maze Of information
which has been assembled on the
subject by authorities in all fields con-
nected with building and property
maintenance, a definite plan Of at
tack on ailing homes has been formu-
lated.
With The Stars $1,000 Better
Homes Contest providing the incentive
to home owners in this area to mod
ernize and improve their properties.
and the Government at the same time
opening UP avenues of credit enabling
the work to be undertaken, the find
ings of these experts should be given
study.
It is possible, by undertaking any
form of home repairs or improve
ments between now and September
Is, for all home owners in the metro
politan area Of the Capital to compete
for the several prizes in The Stars
contest, as we'll as the supplementary
SlOO cash award of the Washington
Board of Trade for the outstanding
landscaping treatment completed dur
ing the period Of the contest.
Check Up Suggested.
The home, experts declare, should
be checked over periodically, to insure
against overlooking some essential re-
conditioning. For example, examine
the foundation and side walls for:
/. Blistering. cracking or peeling
Of painted surfaces requiring re-
painting.
2. Loose or decayed boards or open
Joints in frame siding requiring re-
pairs or replacement.
3. Masonry walls with large cracks
or broken portions requiring refilling.
4, Mortar joints or minor cracks
requiring pointing.
S. Porous or leaky walls requiring
damp -proof1ng. ,
6. Leakage around caves or tops OF
7. Emorescence or scum on walls
requiring acid cleaning or special
treatment.
8. Cracks, discoloration, or fallen
out portions OF stucco walls requiring
pointing, cleaning or restuccoing.
8. Grading around foundation.
In connection with windows and
door frames and sash, examine for:
/. Window caps requiring new
flashing or repairing over existing
joints.
2. Holes or cracks around window
frames requiring caulking or re-
pairing.
8. Defects in putty around panes,
requiring reputtying or patching.
4. Decaying screens.
S. Repairs to blinds and shutters.
6. Loose or shabby balconies and
ratings requiring repainting or re-
pairs.
Z. ACCESSIBILITY of additional win
dows.
Other Important Points.
OF importance, too, are the roof,
flashing, cutters. and downspouts. In
this connection it is advisable to look
for broken, loose or missing shingles,
slate, tile or other material requiring
replacement or repairs, and examine
metal or roll roofing for cracks, open
joints, or worn-off coatings, requiring
application of waterproofing materials
painting or repairing.
These are suggestions dealing only
with the exterior of the home In
side, of course, much can be accom-
plished In the way Of repairs and i'm
provement.
1t might be possible. for example,
to lay a new floor over the old; in
stall partitions to provide additional
rooms or closets, or knock them out
to make additional space; add a dining
alcove or breakfast nook; remove walls
to provide an open stairway; replace
worn-out treads on stairs; replace old
stair posts and railings with modern
types; provide wall or ceiling insula-
ton or rubber or composition stair
tread coverings; panel the walls or
ceiling; install baseboards, picture
molding, etc.: build a linen closet.
or clothes chute; provide a built-in
bookcase or cabinets. or install a
built-in mail box; install telephone
cabinet. or provide built-in cabinet
for a fire extinguisher.
, These are general suggestions, taken
at random, for improving the home.
They do not include the wide variety
of specific improvements that might
be made to the basement. kitchen.
bath rooms, attic, or the betterments
that might be had from installing
new plumbing, heating and lighting
equipment. and the equally important
work of landscaping and improving
the grounds.
In The Stars contest any Of these
operations would be eligible to COM
pete for the 81 900 prizes. No project
is too small to enter, and judging will
not be done on the basis of cost. but
rather on merit, from the standpoint
Of utility, comfort and general home
improvement.
Prizes in the competition are in two
groups, for homes valued at $12 900
and less, and for homes worth more
than $4,000. In each class the awards
will be: First prize, $3.50; second prize,
500; third prize, $50, and four honor
able mention prizes Of $25 each.
Application blanks and instructions
may be obtained from the Better
Homes Contest editor of The Star.