Lustron owners share an unwanted bond - they love their little metal houses - but many find even simple repairs and maintenance can be a real challenge. Calling in an outside “professional” isn’t always the solution either, some contractors are equally flummoxed or, even worse, prescribing inappropriate replacement products, methods or materials.
We all wish that we could “Call your authorized dealer” to get service as promised on that little blue tag in the utility area. But, fear not! You have come to the right place. In the following pages we have begun to capture the best practices that fellow Lustron owners have discovered while trying to maintain their own little piece of metal heaven. While your authorized dealer, might no longer be taking service calls, we hope the following sections will help you with your repair and maintenance issues.
Before embarking on any maintenance or repair it might be helpful to keep the following tips in mind.
- Do your homework. Review the relevant sections of the website, for example, if you are embarking on a roof repair, it would be useful to read the section on the Roofing System in addition to reading the section on Repair and Maintenance of the Roof and Gutters.
- Review the appropriate sections of the Erection Manual.
- Review the Lustron Standards for preservation of your Lustron.
- If you are working with a contractor, print out the relevant sections the website and the Erection Manual so that they will be available for your contractor to review.
- If you are hiring a contractor, talk with a few different contractors, get written estimates. Do they seem to understand the complexity of the house? Are they willing to work with you to identify solutions which preserve the historic integrity of the house and address the repair or maintenance problem?
- Begin with the least level of effort (use the gentlest means possible). When possible, make sure your repairs are reversible.
- Document. Whether you are doing the work yourself or hiring someone to do it for you, take pictures and notes of the work you are doing.
Ready to begin? Check out the following sections?
- Lustron owners check list
- Roof and Gutters
- Panels
- Windows
- Blinds and Screens
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Heating
- Pocket Doors
- How to Find Your Serial Number
