Evening star., 1939-06-03
First Aid
For the
AHing House
BY ROGER B. WHITMAN.

BY ROGER b. WHITMAN.
Question:: Please tell me the best
insulation and waterproofing to put
under an unexcavated porch floor
Will digging out a foot or two help
keep the porch warmer?
Answer-A form of shredded
wood fiber blanket with a water
proof paper covering, placed be-
tween the floor joists is satisfac-
tory. You can also use rock wool
bats (pads). the kind made with
a waterproof paper on one side
A deeper space under the porch
may improve ventilation, but it
will not make the porch floor
warmer.
Clothes Closet.
Question: I should like to make a
clothes storage closet in my un-
finished attic; using a rigid insu-
lating board. In the summer that
attic gets pretty hot Would there
be any fire hazard? Would clothes
stored there be damaged by in
tense heat?
Answer-There would be no fire
hazard. but I should use more than
single thickness of insulation
board Cover the door of the closet
with insulation, as we'll as making
1t air-tight. Some fabrics, such as
silk and also furs, may be dam
aged by intense heat.
Stained Shingles.
Question: Please advise the cause
of dark spots like oil or grease on
shingles. They were finished with
a fine quality stain; the same quail
ity as the original stain. The spots
appear on the side walls subjected
to the hot summer suns rays.
Answer-It is possible the spots
are caused by excess of oil in the
wood being drawn to the surface.
Try wiping the spots with turpen-
tine. This may remove the grease
or oil spots.
Dog Deterrent.
Question-What liquid will pre-
vent dogs from getting too close to
plants? Would it be effective on
corners of walls and basement
window sills?
Answer-The liquid is solution
of nicotine sulphate in water as
is used for an insecticide on plants.
A strong solution would be effective
for stone, brick and woodwork.
Harmless to dogs) Seed stores
have ready prepared products for
the same purpose.
Removing Paint.
Question-The plaster ceiling in
our kitchen was papered several
times and then painted twice. Now
the paint is coming off in great
pieces. We want 10 take it all off
and repaint. How can We do it?
Why is the paint peeling off?
Answer-Walls and ceiling of
kitchen become covered with fine
film of grease. This may not be
visible, but it is there. and if it is
not removed before painting the
paint will not stick. This may be
the reason why your paint has
peeled. The paint is evidently loose
and you should be able to scrape it
off with broad putty knife. A
solution of three pounds of washing
soda to the gallon of water will
soften the paint after remaining on
for a few minutes, but you should
be careful not to get this on the
woodwork or any other paint that is
not to be removed. Follow by ample
rinsing with clear water and allow
the wall to dry thoroughly before
repainting.
Finish for Walls.
Question: have two upstairs bed
rooms with smooth plaster walls
that were whitewashed several times
I want to put something else on the
walls, but how can get them clean?
What can l use for finish? How
can fill cracks in the plaster?
AnsWer-You can take off the
whiteWash with liberal sponging
with warm water. Go over the wall
two or three times, squeeze out the
sponge and go over the wall again
to pick up the softened whitewash
After cleaning and drying it may
be necessary to smooth the wall with
fine sandpaper. Cracks should be
filled with patching plaster, to be
had at a hardware or paint store.
Directions for use are on the label
In refnishing the walls you can use
q cold water paint which is wash