Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-20
Check-Up
Idea List
For Spring

Az CgA AAACN hNAAa
owners thoughts turn to the
outside appearance of his
house.
After the ravages Of win
ter. there are a number OF
minor touch-up needs and
frequently some slight repairs
that can be done by 6 home
handyman during his week.
enc leisure.
Some homes may need
major repairs as a result Of
the extremely hard winter ex-
perienced by most Of the
country. but for the most part,
an annual spring check-up
turns up only minor jobs that
a home handyman can do
before they become major
problems" says Erskine
Franklin, a housing Special
list for Allied Chemicals Bar
rett Division.
There are approximately
10 million homes in the
United States that are in
need of major repairs" Mr..
Franklin explains, land
abUut 100000 that have
fallen into such a state OF
disrepair that they are be-
yond salvaging."
Mr.. Franklin has prepared
q check list which a home
owner can use for reference
when conducting his exterior
inspection:
OGrOund Check: Check
around the entire founda-
ton where washouts may
have left holes. These holes
can fill with water every
time it rains and puddles
sometimes can leak through
cracks in the masonry. Holes
should be filled with layers
of gravel or sand, topped
with sod at grade level. Ex-
posed roots of shrubs and
trees should be recovered.
o Foundation: What may
have been a hairline crack
last fall may be a stable
opening by now. Cracks
should be repairr with a
pitch base water proofing
cement that can Je applied
with a pointing tool, trowel
or putty knife. Scrape away
loose material and moisten
around any joints. Apply &C.
ment and keep it moist for
several days to be certain
1t will cure without cracking.
o Door Frames and Win
dOws: Check window heads
and lintels (the framing
above windows and doors)
for deteriorating caulking
and replace it where required.
Check window panes for
cracked putty and replace it
where needed.
OSiding: Check for cracks,
splits or decay in wooden
siding and repair or replace
where practical. 1t is time to
replace decayed or rotte6
boards.
OHardware: Check all
metal hardware such as flag
poles, chain link fences, shut
ter clips or the metal bands
that fasten a TV aerial to a
chimney for ru t or corro-
sion. Unless decayed to the
point where replacement is
required, an application of
aluminium protective coating
wi! restore their sparkle and
shine as well as extendinO
their useful life.
Wooden Steps: outdoor
stairs or steps are often dam
aged during the winter.
Warped boards can SO e.
times be corrected b. turn
ing them over and re-nailing
them in place. A coating Of
wood preservative or heavy
deck paint can generally as
sure longer life for wooden
stairs and steps.
OGutters and DOwnspOuts:
The severe winter may have
left cutters and downsoouts
loose or weakened. With more
rain expected tC follow this
spring, it's advisable to Tight
en- Up hangers. refa ening
them where necessary. This
is also a good time clean
cutters of dead leaves and
debris collected in Their. dur
ing the winter. Also check
downspouts to be certain
they re not clogged and are
free from all distractions.
OROOfing: Check TO: Loose
or curled shingles ar renal
them in place. Cove" the nail
heaGs with roofing cement
Replace badly worn or dam
aged shingles. Check ;ondi-
ton of mortar in :. CHM
ney and flashing for holes,
cracks or corrosion. Should
any major roofing repairs be
evident, 1t always is advise =
Bile to contact an established
local roofer for a prof ssion-
ais analysis Of the pre- EN-.
0Screens: This also is n
good time to check TIE con-
dition OF window and door
screens that probabl. have
been stored away the
winter. Re.air them. II