Depreciation Costs

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 801, 23 October 1929, Page 14

Depreciation Costs

LESSENED BY HOME REPAIRS What Householders Can Do THE fact that one's motor-car depreciates is recognised by everyone, but the fact that a house depreciates at almost A 1 lie same rate is not so generally understood—until one wants to sell one's house ! It lias been estimated by an expert that every house depreciates at least two per cent, of its total value every year. This is a considerable amount, but it can be saved if a little systematic care is taken of the home, and as (if the home has been built under any of the housing schemes) the owner is responsible for the running repairs it is best to do the work as tlie occasion arises, says ci writer in the “Australian Home Beautiful.”

The outside of the house requires the most attention, for it receives the most wear. Here is the advice of an expert on its care. For cracks in foundation walls he advises a mixture of two parts saud, one part cement and four parts gravel. Moisten the crack before applying. If the house is weatherboard, the outside will need far more attention than if it is of brick or cement. It is a good idea to keep some paint of tlie same colour always on hand and touch up worn parts as soon as they become apparent. Never paint over flakes of old paint, but sandpaper the surface smooth and then apply the new paint. Any exposed woodwork that is not painted—such as verandahs and steps —should be rubbed with a coat of linseed oil at least twice a year. The windows of all types of houses need constant attention. Putty that has chipped off must be replaced -and painted over, and care taken that dirt, and dust do not collect ig the. corners of the panes. Window sills should also be kept clean, as collected dust and grit will help to wear tlie paint. Brush all fly screens and fly doors and repair any weakness in them the minute it is discovered. So many doors are made with only a very small portion of the wire held in the frame and this soon breaks away if the door is not handled carefully. If the wire has been painted, repaint it whenever necessary. Brush carefully with very little paint on your brush, so that tlie

paint does not run and dry in streaks. Do not paint copper fiv wire. Now for the inside of the bouse. The same repairs should be done to the windows as the outside, that is, new putty and painting. All woodwork should either be repainted or thoroughly cleaned if it is still in good condition. Remember that soap has a tendency to turn white paint yellow. A can of varnish will be useful for touching up varnished wood, and a thorough waxing, polishing or coat of linseed oil will preserve polished woods of all descriptions. Cracks in walls can be filled with plaster of Paris. Mix into a paste with water, force the plaster into the crack or hole with an old knife, and be sure to finish the surface so that it is quite smooth. It is much easier to work if mixed with an equal quantity of dry kalsominc. Scrape and damp the crack before tilling it with the paste. A torn or damaged piece of wall paper can often be replaced. If there is no more of the acutal paper one can sometimes remove a small portion from behind a fixed piece of furniture, such as a sideboard or bookcase. Tear the piece so that the edge is uneven, and then paste it in position with flour paste so carefully as to be invisible. If these small repairs are made as soon as they become necessary they will reduce depreciation costs to almost nil, and will, in addition, make a house that always looks attractive because it is in good condition.