Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-08-26
First Aid
for the
AHinq House
BY ROGER b. WHITMAN.

Question: In several instances ]
notice that you recommend men,
brane waterproofing for a cellar
floor where there is extreme water
pressure. My house is one year
old and has had "a inches of water
In the cellar at one time after severe
rains. I should appreciate your ex-
planning this method of water
proofing.
ing consists of layers of felt impreg-
mated with asphalt or tar, COM
pletely lining the cellar. The i'm
pregnated material, which comes in
rolls 80 inches wide, is mopped on
(stuck down with liquid asphalt,
tar or pitch. The sheets are over
Tapped by more than one-half their
width and mopped together. Two
layers of sheets, giving four thick
nesses, and surfaced with asphalt
or tar, is usually sufficient. Over
this is laid at least three inches Of
concrete. 1t may also be necessary
to apply this type of interpreting
on the foundation walls. 1t is best
to have this work done by a profess
sional waterproofer.
Soundproofing a Room.
Question: I should like to sound
proof room on the first floor of a
two-family frame house I want
to prevent long distance telephone
conversations from being too easily
heard in adjoining rooms. What
do you suggest?
Answer: If it is only telephone
conversation that you wish to con-
fine, why not install a soundproof
telephone booth, and save yourself
the mess and expense of sound
proofing the entire room? In sound
proofing room, fair results are OBJ
tanned by lining the walls and CELL
ing with a rigid insulating board.
The walls are then furred out with
two-inch Turing strips and an
other layer of insulating board is
applied on the walls. A solid wood
door is not particularly soundproof.
Shingle Stain.
Question: My house on the ocean,
IN Maine, needs retaining badly
I want to make the highest grade
bottle green stain myself. Will you
advise the formula to use?
Answer: A good shingle stain Is
made by mixing four parts of raw
Gnseed oil and one part of Japan
drier. Color-ground-in-oil is added
Trimmed with linseed oil.
Table Top Finish.
Question: An old mahogany din
ing table has been scraped and
sandpapered. How can I finish it
30 that it will be water and heat
resistant?
Answer: Make a mixture of 70
each of raw inseed oil, turpentine
and denatured alcohol. Apply this
literally, give it few hours for
soaking in, and then wipe dry. Re
peat twice at two-day intervals.
Then. after sufficient time for dry
ing and hardening, begin to polish;
the more you polish the finer the
finish will be. For polishing, use
q piece of carpeting, wrapped
around brick for convenience. If
you want a glossy finish, you can
use a high quality quick drying
varnish made with bakelite or other
synthetic resins. These are not af-
fected by heat or moisture.
Whitewash.
Question: Please tell me how to
make a good lasting whitewash.
Answer: Ordinary whitewash.
which is hydrated lime mixed with
water to the proper consistency,
can be given more lasting qualities
by adding rock salt in the proper
ton Of Is pounds to so pounds of
lime. There are many forms Of
whitewash for different purposes.
These are described in pamphlet
issued by the National Lime As
ISOLATION, Washington, which can be
had for the asking. 1t is well worth
having, and recommend it.
Galvanized Steel Roof.
Question: I have a large house,
the roof of which is covered with
corrugated galvanized steel. The
sheets have weathered for a few
months. What would be the best
paint to use on these sheets? Would
1t be aluminium?
Answer: The galvanized metal
should be allowed to weather at
least six months before being
painted. If the metal is to be
painted before this length of time
has elapsed, wipe the surface with
vinegar. Aluminium paint has
been used successfully on gal
vanized metal surfaces. In place
Of the aluminium paint, you can ap-
ply a coat of red lead as a primer,