The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-06-21

restrict new construction ana I'M
provements to an absolute mini
mum. Building materials urgently
needed for war plants, war housing
and other essential projects cannot
be frittered away on new garages,
new wings and other new home
construction unless justified by I'M
usual circumstances, a regional
WPB official announces In dis
cussing the ramifications OF oft-mis-
understood "L-41."
Avoid Larger Bills Later
The small amounts needed to keep
up our homes can be spared. They
pay dividends in morale and in
avoiding far larger repair bills later
on.
Maintenance and repair Is def
nitely exempted from restriction in
War Production Board Conserva-
ton Order L-41, which governs new
construction.
The term maintenance and re-
pair" is defined as such work as
is necessary to keep a structure or
project in sound working condi-
ton, or to rehabilitate structure
or project or any portion thereof
when the same has been rendered
unsafe or unfit for service by wear
and tear or other similar causes"
If there Is any structural altera-
ton or change in design, it is not
maintenance though different mate
rails may be used.
Some Definitions
Note the word necessary" in the
definition quoted above. Note also
the phrase cor any portion" of a
structure or project. Suppose your
roof leaks. In peace times you call
the roofer and have your entire roof
reshingled, perhaps with a better
grade of single or with a color
that suits your wife better. You
call it repairing your roof.
But such a job is not repairs as
defined in L41 An L41 repair is
patching the leak. The shingles put
on where the roof was sound we're
not necessary" and are new con-
struction.
A special exception has been made
in favor of asbestos siding and roof
ing material. Supplementary Con-
Servation Order L-41-d permits re-
siding or reroof1ng of any building
with asbestos siding or roofing ma
terial where any part of the exist
ing siding or roofing, as the case
may be, is in need of repairing or
other maintenance and repair.
Keep in mind also that under L41
| no job may be part new construc-
ton and part maintenance and re-
pair. If any new construction is
| done the job is all new construc-
ton. AS an example, if our front
porch needs repairs we can make
them. But if we decide that now
when the carpenter is on the job is
a good time to have the porch
glassed in, the whole job, including
the essential repairs, is treated as
new construction.
Order L-41 prohibits all new con-
struction except construction that
has been properly authorized by the
War Production Board, or certain
minimum amounts of new construc-
ton which are specifically per-
mitted.
$500 Jobs Permitted
In the case of a new home or a
new apartment housing up to five
families, new construction up to
5000 is permitted. Farmers are per-
mitted to spend up to $1,000 on agri-
cultural products. Farmers, dairy
men, poultrymen, fruit growers, etc.,
may construct new barns, fences
and similar structures to total of
$1,000 for the entire form under this
provision.
Irrigation pipe lines or drainage
tile drains, when classified as agri-
cultural construction may be con-
structed without restriction when no
materials are used to except earth
or other Impressed material. New
construction on farm houses is re-
stricted like other home construc-
ton to Jobs costing less than $780,
Another exception of Importance
ain New England is construction
necessary to the conversion of heat
ing equipment from oil, electricity
or gas to coal. Insulation materials,
air cell pipe coverings, weather
stripping storm windows and doors
may also be installed without L-41
restriction, provided no rubber or
metal other than fastenings is used.
The allowable construction, up to
5000 for home and up to $1,000 for
agricultural construction, may be
spent only once during any II =
month period commencing Sept. 6,
1912.
Time Limits
If you spent $199 for new con-
struction on your home last Sum-
mer, you may spend another $199
now; but if you spent $199 after
Sept, 6, 1912, you may not spend
more without authorization until
Sept, 1913.
igr3
Repainting, repapering replace
ing linOleum flooring, repairing
screens, or doing any other neces-
sary repairs to restore house
where wear and tear or similar
causes has made it unsafe or I'M
fit for service is permitted. You
need no authorization for this
work, nor should you need pri-
critics, for you should use nom
critical material.
Certain kinds of wood are sold
on priority but Order M-208, which
restricts it's sale, also assigns ratings
for it's purchase when the wood is
used for maintenance and repair of
| dua11ipos nr ron StrIlction IF farm
buildings.
If plumbing or heating equipment
needs repair, the parts may be OBJ
tanned by use of priority assistance
assigned by General Preference
Order PA. The plumber who does
the work applies the rating.
This priority assistance will also
buy replacement plumbing and
heating units, provided the old
equipment is worn out beyond pos
sibility of repair, and the new
equipment is not better or larger