Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-28
First Aid
For the
AiIing House
By ROGER B. WHITMAN.

q. What can use to protect my
kitchen wallpaper from grease spots?
A painter suggested liquid for the
purpose. We have put two coats on
the wall. but we find that grease
still spots the paper. Then We bought
clear shellac, intending to shellac
the wall but a friend told us that
water spots shellac Is this true?
A. The walls of a kitchen should
always be finished with material
that is washable and non absorbent.
Oilcloth wall covering or enamel
are satisfactory Coating the wall
paper with a pure white shellac may
be helpful. Water, if left on shell
lacked surfaces for long time, will
spot, but when wiped off within a
short time spots will not appear.
Field Stone Chimney.
@. On the second floor of my
home, in a sun porch, there is a
field stone chimney 1t is possible
to cement this in order to produce
fiat surface, and will cement hold?
A. For best results it is advisable
to put the cement finish on metal
lath.
Knock in Pipe.
@. Whenever We flush the tank
It gives a knock that We hear all
over the house. What can 1 do to
prevent the knocking?
A. Either the air-cushion section
of pipe above the fixture has filled
with water, or your plumber has
not installed an air cushion. This
consists of 3-foot extension of pipe
at the top of each line of fixtures.
The end of the pipe is tightly
capped. If you have a flush valve
instead of tank it is possible that
the valve is In need of adjustment.
In discharging large volume OF
water it may shut off too quickly.
New Shingles.
O. Wood shingles are to be re-
placed with asbestos shingles. One
contractor proposes taking of the
wood shingles, while another says
that the asbestos shingles can go
on top OF these. What is your
advice?
A. The new shingles can 60 on
top Of the old. The makers of
asbestos shingles issue instructions
on how the Job should be done You
can get the instruction sheets from
the manufacturer of the shingles
you intend to use, or from his
dealer.
Size of Hot Water Tank.
Q. We are considering the pur-
chase of a hot water tank that uses
a propane gas. We are debating
whether to buy a 20-gallon storage
tank or one Of a 30-gallon capacity.
Which tank is the cheapest to
operate and yet best able to serve
four people on week days and 10
or more on week ends? There is
only one bathroom and one kitchen.
A. Even with a 30-gallon tank,
with 10 people in the house, you
may run short of hot water. Do
not use anything smaller. The tank
should be well insulated to prevent
the hot water from cooling quickly
Old Gas Pipes.
@. I consulted the gas company
about our 36-year-old pipes and
fixtures. They said to see plumber
and have the pipes tested and to
go entirely on what he says. l
have been told that the old pipes
under pressure may leak or that
they would be weakened, and that
fixtures that are old are liable to
leak and to kill the family. I was
advised to electrify. What do you
think?
A. Gas pipes SO years old. if not
used for a long period of time,
should be examined by a competent
plumber. I agree with the gas COM
pany. Electrifying the house will
give you much better lighting. plus
the convenience of using many cleo
trio home appliances
Waterproof Glue.
A correspondent asks the name of
q chemical or substance that can
be used to waterproof glue.
A. There are several formulas
which are quite complicated, In
stead Of attempting to waterproof
ordinary glue, I should use casein
glue, which when dry is highly
water resistant 1t can be had at
q hardware store.
Drilling China.
A reader noted a suggestion for
drilling a hole in a china vase