Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/177

 155 fz:^ COMMCT HIIOHT One cause of chimneys smoking : Eddy produced by wind striking roof. Patent cowls rarely remove the trouble entirely I cast, are, generally speaking, drier. and warmer than those with the brickwork exposed. Thick walls — thicker than the local by-laws insist upon — imply the same advantages. Slate roofs are cold in appearance and in reality, but when in good condition are weather-proof. The Roof Tile roofs are decidedly warmer, particularly if laid on boarding with felt interposed. Tiles of bad quality are subject to fracture by frost and may become a perennial source of trouble and expense. A good criterion of the state of the roof is the condition of the ceilings in the topmost rooms. If water has come through, the ceilings will show evidence of it. Access to the inside of the roof is generally provided, and it is well to take a peep amongst the rafters to see whether or not the tiles or slates are exposed in- ternally. In all these questions of structural quality and fit- ness it is an advantage to have someone technically well informed to help in the survey, though a shrewd observer, guided by these hints, may find out much for himself. Chimneys The comfort of the home may be seriously discounted if the chimneys refuse to perform their office in all states of the weather. There are few houses that do not suffer from down- draught in one or other of the chimneys in gusty weather. Smoky chimneys mean much soiling of decorations and unwelcome dirt on furniture and other belongings. The presence outside of any of the various patented devices for persuading the smoke to take the upward,. , . ., , ■ j ,.^i,.j „;iu a , ,j 1^.1 Ideal drainage plan for a semi-detached villa. A course should awaken the superficial examination of drains is useless. Before a suspicions of the house- house is taken the drains should always be examined hunter. ^^ * qualified inspector In many cases the defect is a radical one, due to faulty construction or to insufficient height. Patent cowls rarely do more than half remove the trouble. The state of the ceiUng near the fireplace WOMAN'S HOME 18 a good indication of the behaviour of the chimney, provided, of course, the zeal of the landlord has not expended itself in a new coat of whitewash. The condition of the drains is so important from the hygienic stand]X)int that one cannot be too particular about them. Nothing short of a thorough inspection by a properly qualified expert should satisfy the tenant. If the house is an old one, this applies with greater urgency, because it is only in comparatively recent times that house drainage has been reduced to a strictly sanitary system. Drains FRESH AIR INLET In spite of stringent by-laws, modern houses are frequently found with the drainage in a de- plorable condition, either as the result of original bad work, or of neglect to remedy defects which have arisen from the ordinary wear and tear. As such defects do not appear on the surface, a super- ficial inspection is useless. The only safeguard for the house-hunter is to obtain from the landlord a guarantee that the drains are in perfect condition, and thus be in a position to force him to repair them if it should prove subsequently that they are defective. Landlords are usually quite willing to give such a guarantee, and it should not be forgotten that one can always appeal to the sanitary inspector. The Garden Allusion has already been made to the useful- ness of the forecourt. Garden space is valuable for so many reasons that a house without a garden must have some other very strong recommend- ations to make it desirable. The open spaces at back and front mean a better circulation of air around the house, and, as regards the back, some few feet of territory to separate one from surroundings which in certain circumstances may be, or may become, a source of annoyance. Then