The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-08-16
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70 Roger B. whitman-wNU Service,
Poor Chimney Draft.

~ draws well when there is no
wind, but does not work satisfactor-
lily on a windy day. The chimney
has been heightened so that it is well
above the roof, but that did not help.
The location of the house may have
something to do with it. The house
is in a valley between two hills,
about so feet taller than the house.
Both hills are about 200 feet from
the house. l would appreciate your
advice.
Answer: The force of the wind
coming down from the hills may
cause a down-draft condition in the
chimney. A type of revolving CHM
ney cap, made of sheet metal, with
vane on top may help. The vane
will turn the open part Of the cap
away from the wind, minimizing the
downward sweep Of the wind from
the hill. Any sheet metal shop will
be able to supply it.
Disintegrating Bricks.
Question: The brick on my bunga-
low seems to be disintegrating.
Many of them had scaled off to
depths of from one-eighth to one
half inch. The builder claims that
all brick is more or less affected
this way by the frost. He says a
clear waterproofing brushed on the
wall will correct this condition. Do
you think this will be adequate?
Answer: A porous brick will alb
sorb moisture, which during the
winter may freeze, causing the brick
to chip or scale off. Waterproofing
the brick will most likely prevent
the absorption. If the brick is very
porous two coats may be necessary.
Sawdust and Cement Mix.
Question: ! noticed in several rur-
al publications reference made to
floor made of cement and saw
dust. What are the advantages Of
such construction, and what is the
formula?
Answer: This form of cement mix
ture is still in the experimental
stages. The purpose is to obtain a
concrete floor that may be some
what warmer than ordinary concrete
in barns and poultry houses. Fur
Their information can be had by writ
ing to the Extension Service Bureau,
University of New Hampshire, at
Durham, N. H., for Circular No. 217.
Rust Stain on Cement.
Question: Please let me know how
to remove rust stains from white
cement on terrace; caused by iron
furniture standing on it.
Answer: Dissolve one part of So
dunn citrate in six parts of water.
Mix thoroughly with six parts Of
commercial glycerine. Mix por-
ton of this with enough powdered
whiting to form paste, then spread
on the stain in thick coat. When
dry, replace with fresh paste. Sew
eral applications may be necessary.
Bedroom Ceiling.
Question: I have the problem Of
bad ceilings in some bedrooms. The
plasterer advised plastering on wire
lath, then applying some kind of
paper before painting. What is the
reason for this? There is no wall
paper on the walls now.
Answer: The plasterer had in
mind the application Of painters
CLOTH over the plaster. This is
strong fabric applied over plaster
surfaces to prevent the cracks from
showing through the paint.
Separating Rooms.
Question: My living room and din
ing room adjoin with wide space
between the two rooms, so that they
can be used as one, when desired.
When privacy is temporarily de-
sired, is there any way the two
rooms may be separated without
destroying the present layout?
Answer: A set of folding doors
can be installed, if the space is too
wide for a pair of French doors.
Your only other alternative would
be to. hang portieres.
Leaking Leaders.
Question: The outside leaders of
my house are leaking very badly.
viii this cause any damage to the
house? How could they be replaced
so ] would not have trouble with
them again?
Answer: Leaking leaders should
be replaced as soon as possible. A
16-ounce corrugated copper leader
should give you long and satisfac-
tory service.
Burst Boiler.
Question: When we closed our
house for the winter last fall, water
in the heater was not drawn off. This
spring on lighting the fire, we found
that the boiler had been cracked by
the freezing of the water. Can this
be repaired, or must I get a new
heater?
Answer: Boilers are built up of
sections, any one of which can be
replaced. Any plumber should be
able to get new sections to replace
those that are broken. 1t will not be
necessary to get an entirely new
heater; replacing the burst sections
will be much less expensive.
Tarnished Brass.
Question: What can be done with
old brass fireplace fittings and crate.