Evening star., 1941-04-26
First Aid
For the /
AHingHouse
By ROGER B. WHITMAN.

A correspondent who is planning
10 build a house in the $8,000-sl0,-
o0O-price range, wants to know
where he can get ideas on archi-
tectural plans and literature on
the latest and best building mate
rials. My strong recommendation
Is that he consult an architect. He
might make the Objection that the
architect might charge a fee for
his work that would not be justified
In house of that value. This is
a very usual opinion that comes
from a failure to understand all
that is included in architectural
service. The work of an architect
does not end with the drawing OF
the plans. Another highly impor-
tant part is the drawing up OF the
specifications; descriptions of the
materials to be used, dimensions and
other details on which stability OF
the house will depend. He also su-
pervises the making of the contracts
and inspects the house while 1t Is
being built for assurance that the
specifications are being lived up to.
In effect, he is the agent for the
owner in protecting him against
waste and other possible losses. BY
his knowledge of materials and OF
contracts he can usually have the
work done for much less than would
be possible to an owner not familiar
with these matters. 1t is my very
strong opinion that an owner will
get more of house for his money
and a better house, with architectu-
raj service than without.
EnameIed Steel Bathtub.
@. We plan to install a new enam-
eled steel bathtub, for the reason
that it would be lighter in weight
and easier to handle than the usual
enameled caSt-iron tub. One sup
ply house says that porcelain on
steel will not hold up very well.
What is your opinion?
A. Enameled steel plumbing fix
lures are still fairly new on the
market. The quality manufacturers
have made many tests on the ability
of the enamel to withstand cracking
and chipping, and express full as
surance that it will come to no harm
with ordinary use. If the tub that
you plan to buy is top quality you
should have no trouble. 1t might
be we'll to explain the situation to
the manufacturer and ask for his
assurance and guarantee.
Tinting Plywood.
@. I have a cottage paneled in
plywood. 1 would like to make this
and the door castings a little darker
and the window castings darker still.
What is the procedure? What fin
ish can be used for knotty pine that
will preserve its natural color?
A. You could use penetrating wax,
which is on general sale. This comes
clear, which could be used on the
knotty pine, as well as combined
with stains of the wood colors. Ap-
plication is simple and directions are
on the label.
Grass in Sidewalk.
@. I have an 80-foot brick side
walk and have used salt and I've
solutions to keep it clear of grass.
y.
What solution or something else
could I use to kill the grass between
the bricks?
A. Rock salt or calcium chloride,
packed between the bricks, will do
for time, but eventually both would
be dissolved by rain and sink into
the earth. Seeds would then blow
IN and start the trouble all over
again. The one satisfactory remedy
Is to pack the joints with cement
mortar. One simple method would
be to make runny mixture of /
part cement and parts sand, and
TO pour it into the joints with an
old watering can, or something else
with spout no wider than the
Joints. The bricks should first be
wet with water and the mixture then
poured in to fill the joints half full.
When this filling has hardened, pour
In more to fill the joints to the top.
Papering Rough Walls.
@. Plaster walls are finished with
rough stippling; just rough enough
to prevent papering. How can
smooth them down?
A. Put on a coat of plastic paint
made of gypsum, which contains
an adhesive that will stick it to
the present wall. 1t need be only
thick enough to fill the depressions.
Smooth it with a troWel or float. |
Damp Chimneys.
@. Summer and winter plaster on