Evening star., 1942-03-21
First Aid
For the
AHingHouse
By ROGER b. WHITMAN.


q. Where can I get information
on the insulation of a small home
What material would be best to us'
In q bungalow attic?
A. Rock wool Is in conmonest use
It is made by a number Of manu-
facturers; there is but little differ
ence in the insulating materials they
put out. For details, inquire Of any
dealer In building materials.
Wood as Fuel.
@. There Is a large wood lot on q
farm that have just bought. Gould
use wood as fuel for the house
heating system, which is hot water2
What care should be given to the
boiler f1ues?
A. Wood would not be SatiSfac-
tory fuel for the boiler, because the
boiler f1ues would become clogged
with SCOT and the so-called creosote
that forms from the condensation OF
the sap and gum in the wood. Trou-
bic from chimney creosote Is SO
common in the wood burning sec
tions of the country and Is reported
TO me so frequently that l strongly
advise against using wood as fuel
You will be far better off to burn the
fuel for which the boiler Is intended
Imitation Leather.
O. The leatherette seats on my
dinette chairs are dark green and dc
not match the walls, which are
bright yellow. Could I reflnish them
with enamel?
A. Imitation leather can be given
q thin coat Of enamel, which will
last fairly well. Before applying 1t,
wipe the material with turpentine
Your best move, however, will be to
cover the seats with slip covers.
Easement Storm Sash.
q. Our house has steel easement
windows opening in the center. Our
problem is applying storm sash to
them. We now have inside screens.
Should storm sash also be on the
inside?
A. All makers OF steel easements
ean provide storm sash to mt them
In some cases they replace the
screens, but in others are separate.
Write to the makers of your windows
10 ask their advice.
Floor Board Cracks.
q. NY house Is new. The floor
boards In hallway and bedrooms
have separated about an eight OF an
inch. What is the cause?
A. At the present time. with the
treat demand for building lumber,
much OF 1t has gone into use before
It has had time to be properly sea-
soned. This is probably the case
with your floor boards, which have
shrunk after being laid. You will
find that the open joints will tend
10 close with the coming OF the
damper weather of spring.
Cleaning Casein Paint.
g. Can walls covered with cold
eater casein paint be cleaned or
must they be repainted?
A. While ordinary casein paint is
not waterproof. it can usually be
sleaned by light sponging without in
fury. Make a test behind a heavy
piece OF furniture or other incon-
spicuous place.
Laying Linoleum.
g. wish to use part of our two
car garage for a hobby and game
room, The floor is laid directly on
the earth, and is four inches thick.
There are drain tile under it, and 1t
seems to be dry. Could I cover part
Of it with linoleum?
A. However dry the concrete moor
may seem to be, it undoubtedly picks
I'D some moisture from the earth
beneath. This would ruin any or
binary form OF linoleum. But there
Y variety made that is proof
against dampness. Any competent
unoleum layer should know about IT,
Cellar Wall Finish.
e. NV cellar walls are tinted with
something that I believe comes from
ecetylene gas. A second coat Is
needed. Can you tell me whatsthe
material is and when I can get more
Of 1t?
A. That material is actually a
form of lime and is left over when
acetylene gas is made from calcium
carbide. This gas is used for weld
ting and for other purposes, ana
Welders usually are glad to give
svay the residue that comes from
the generators. Companies making
the generators, as well as the pro-
d,,eers of calcium carbide, issue
booklets describing the many uses
for carbide residue, including whlte-
wash.
Cracking Plaster.
q IN several houses that 1 nave
.n,n-ctad lately there are large
cracks in the plaster walls or cell
lnzs. How can I prevent this IN
huildinp q new house with cement
block basement? -,
A. The usual cause OF plaster
cracking is settlement. which may be
from the sinking Of the foundations
into the ground, or the shrinkage OF
the wood frame. Sinking OF the
foundation can be prevented by pro-
viding footings of a sufficient size
10 carry the weight. Settlement
from the shrinkage Of the timbers
that might cause plaster cracking
can be guarded against by the de-
sign of the framework. You can get
information on this from the Ma
tional Lumber Manufacturers Asso-
citation, Washington.
Information on Concrete.
O. Where can I learn the differ
ent proportions OF cement and gravel
for different kinds Of concreting
Jobs?
A. Inquire Of the Portland Cement
Association. 80 West Grand avenue,
Chicago. If you explain the purpose
for which the concrete will be used,
they will give you exact instructions.
Damaged Varnish.
@. One of our windows was frozen
shut in a recent cold spell and we