Evening star., 1940-06-22
First Aid
For the
Aiing House
BY ROGER b. WHITMAN.

BY ROGER B. WHITMAN.
Q. The ceiling under an unfin-
ished attic has dark streaks that
look like the shapes of the laths.
Is this from dirt seeping through
the plaster?
A. Your unfinished attic is cold In
winter, and as the ceiling becomes
chilled, there is condensation
against it. The plaster under the
laths remains damp enough to pick
up dust from the air of the room,
and 1t is this that makes the dark
marks. Insulating material laid
between the beams of the attic floor
will prevent condensation because
the ceiling will be kept warmer The
insulation will also make your rooms
warmer in winter and cooler in
summer. The lath marks cannot be
removed; they can be concealed by
reflnishing the ceiling.
Leaking Tank.
Q. My hot water supply tank has
sprung number of leaks this
winter. Stop-leak preparations
check them, but other leaks occur.
The overflow contraption at the side
of the boiler does not work as it
used to and even at 200 degrees
no water escapes through this valve.
Is this the cause of the leaks?
A. AS the overflow works as a
safety valve, you should at once find
out what Is wrong and set it right.
1t Is probably clogged with sediment.
Leaks In your tank are due to rust
ing through from the inside and
the whole tank is liable to collapse.
You had better not wait too long
before putting in a new one.
Plywood or Plaster.
@. Can plywood be used over a
base of rigid insulating board? The
present specifications call for in
sulating board and lath and plaster
Would plywood be as serviceable
and satisfactory as plaster: is it
more economical, also is 1t time
and labor saver.
A. Plywood can be used over any
type of insulating board, and If
properly installed with proper joint
treatment should give satisfactory
service. Plywood is used as a sub
stitute finish for plaster because it
Is more economical and less time is
required to erect it. Plaster, of
course, is a standard wall finish,
which has been used for many years.
Either type of wall finish will give
good service and satisfaction if ap-
piled properly. Plywood is approved
by the F. H. A.
Kitchen Floor for Cabin.
@. I am planning to have floor
laid In the kitchen of summer
cabin, and would like to know what
type of wood would be best for the
purpose. How could I best finish it?
A. Yellow pine flooring will be
satisfactory for your purpose. Use
No. l common, flat grain, long leaf
or short leaf pine or second grade
nat grain end matched long or
short leaf pine. Finish with two
thin coats of a ick-drying varnish.
Damaged Linoleum.
@. My blue kitchen linoleum has
burned spots from an electric unit
that fell and broke. What will
erase them?
A. 1t may be possible to take them
out by rubbing with fine steel wool
followed by waxing. If they are too
deep for this. good linoleum layer
can insert patches Of linoleum of
the same pattern so neatly that they
will not be noticed.
Care of Flooring.
A reader asks for information on
the care of a tile floor and of marble
stairs, and inquiries about the use
OF waterglass as a finish after
cleaning.
A. Waterglass is not recommended
FOR this purpose. Full information
on the care of marble Is contained
IN a pamphlet issued by the Marble
and Stone Institute. II East For
tieth street. New York. The Tile
manufacturers Association, 10 West
Forty-fourth street, New York, is
sues instruction sheets for the care
OF tile. This information should
be IN the hands of all superintend-
ents and others whose work includes
the care of these materials.
Wallboard Seams.
Q. My bungalow in the country
has unpainted walls and ceilings OF
4 by 8 foot wallboard. with seams
and nailheads prominent. What
form Of paint or other finish could
I use to reduce the prominence with
out too great cost?
A. Plastic paint may be the most
satisfactory finish for the wall
board. The coating should be heavy
enough to hide Irregularities in the
surface. If you wish to use an oil
wall paint, drive the nailheads
slightly below the surface, then COW
er the recess with a. filler. The
joints can be covered with narrow
molding.
Loose Chair Rungs.
@. Could you suggest strong set