Evening star., 1941-05-03
First Aid
For the
Aiing House
Ry ROGER B. WHITMAN

ny noSEh -, W nj i MAN.
Many owners whose houses are
heated by steam or hot water have
the idea that the boiler should be
drained at least once a year. II
the water is fairly clean, as shown
by Its clearness in the water gauge,
and II the boiler is in good running
order, draining and refilling the
boiler Is not only unnecessary, but
may be harmful Water from the
supply pipes contains air. and it is
this that causes rusting. With con-
stant reheating, air is driven off,
and water then becomes far less
corrosive. With water in that con-
dition the interior of a boiler is
not as likely to rust as if filled with
fresh water. A boiler should not be
drained and left empty. for the
damp air remaining within would
cause quick rusting. The proper
treatment for a steam boiler at
the end of a heating season is to
add more water until it is COM
pletely filled, which can be determ-
ined by holding the safety valve
open until water runs out The air
in the small quantity of added water
will not be harmful. On starting
Up the boiler for the next heating
season, only enough water should
be drained out to leave the boiler
filled to the proper level.
A hot water heating boiler should
also remain filled.
Mosquitoes.
Q. In our new home we are
bothered with mosquitoes coming
from the basement. Why should
this be? Could it be from our deep
we'll?
A. Somewhere in the basement
there is stagnant water. for it is
only there that mosquitoes develop
You may find it in the trap of a
floor drain, in which case a cup of
kerosene poured down will end the
trouble. Look also for any con-
tainers. Mosquitoes would hardly
come from deep we'll; but there
may be water standing around the
upper parts of the machine.
Duli LinOieum.
Q. I have removed varnish from
one of our linoleum floors. How
can I make it presentable again?
Other linoleum is dull how can it
be cleaned and frightened?
A. For the first floor, two or three
thin coats of paste floor wax, each
well rubbed should do the trick.
For the others, wipe with cloths
damp with suds of pure soap. Lin
oleum should not be flooded with
water; clean one section at a time,
rinse, and then wipe dry. Do not
Use coarse soap or harsh securing
powders.
Crumbling Bricks.
@. Bricks in my basement wall
are crumbling and turning white.
What can I do about it?
A. That comes from dampness in
the wall, and by far the best remedy
would be to waterproof the wall from
the outside. If you cannot do this. |
apply an outside coating of port !
land cement mortar, combined with |
. waterproofer. The job should be
done by a mason who understands
his business.
Peeling Wallpaper. |
o, What can be done to keep wall |
paper from peeling?
A. For one thing. it should not |
be put on over calcimine; all traces |
OF calcimine should first be cleaned !
of. For another. the wall must be |
properly sized. and the right kind |
of paste should be used For a |
third. the plaster should be smooth |
and in proper condition.
Clapboards Over Shingles.
Q. There are asphalt shingles on
the walls OF an old dwelling. 1 plan
to cover them with redwood clap
boards. I am considering putting
l-inch furring strips over the old
shingles to hold the clapboard, be-
cause it would give an air space
that should keep dampness from
going through. What do you think
Of this?
A. You should start by mailing
down all loose corners and edges
Of the old asphalt shingles and re-
placing any that are missing. Fur
ring strips are advisable, not only
for the reason that you have in
mind, but also to provide a level
surface.
Imitation Brick Siding.
O. Would imitation brick siding
on frame wall, unpainted for Is
years. have permanence? Should
the old lumber first be painted?
A. Any of the old wood that is in
bad condition should be replaced.
! understand that the imitation
brick siding that you have in mind
has an asphalt base. If so, this
can be nailed direct to the wood