Evening star., 1942-01-17
First Aid
For the
AningHouse
By ROGER b. WHITMAN.

BY ROGER b. WHITMAN.
Q. What is worg with my oil
burner? Its fame puf1S up at even
intervals when it is turned low and
1t does not give as much heat as 1t
used to. I would like to correct the
trouble myself if I can do so. be-
cause visits from experts are rather
expensive.
A. There are 50 many different
kinds OF oil burners and heaters that
I cannot give you any suggestion
from the very little information that
I have. When there is anything
wrong with an oil burner the re-
adjustment or repair should be made
by competent expert, for If the
Job is wrongly done there is too
much possibility that there will be
danger of fire or explosion. For
safety I strongly recommend that
you have the job done by an expert.
1t will be your opportunity to learn
about the care Of the burner and
acquaint yourself with it.
@. Dark woodwork In my house
has film that won't wipe OF. What
should I do?
A. Try wiping with a mixture Of
one tablespoon of cider vinegar In
q quart Of water.
Poultry House Data Available.
Q. I am planning to build
chicken house. Where can get in
formation on size, arranging a run,
ventilation, etc?
A. Write to the superintendent Of
documents, Washington, for Farm
ers' Bulletin No. 1854, which has
the title Poultry Houses and Fix
lures" Ask also for Farmers Bull
letin No. 1903, Poultry Keeping"
These pamphlets are cents each.
You can also get information from
the agricultural department. Of your
State.
@. We are frst-hoor tenants and
there Is q one-room fiat below our
living room. Its occupant cooks his
food and smokes tobacco all the
time he Is In. The odors are almost
unbearable. In summer we open
our windows. but in winter We can
not do so. The tenant below us has
window only slightly opened. What
can be done?
A. All openings around steam and
other pipes should be closed and
also the open joint between flooring
and Dashboard. The odor can be got
rid Of by putting handful Of moth
flakes (paradi in the blower attach
ment of your vacuum cleaner and
running the machine for half hour
or so. The paradi vapors will obsorb
the other odors and its own odor
will quickly disappear.
Rubber Floor Finish.
Q. The inlaid rubber floor in my
kitchen was supposed to be marble
lied blue and white, but the blue
Is only a. very thin vein. It is i'm
possible to keep the floor clean for
more than an hour or so each day.
Can It be painted? I know that
solid color would not be satisfactory.
Can I get marbleized effect?
A. Unfortunately, rubber tiles will
not take paint. Linoleum will do so,
because paint will combine with the
gums of which it is made, but this
is not the case with rubber. It may
be that the manufacturers can sug-
eest something in the way of a new
finish, but otherwise replacement
would seem to be your only hope.
Until you are ready to do this, you
can help matters by putting down
linoleum runners and scatter rugs.
Q. How can go about taking old
wax and varnish from linoleum, so
that it can be refinished?
A. A varnish remover would tend
to destroy the linoleum, and must be
used with great care. If you know
the make Of hnoleum that was
used. ask the manufacturer for in
formation. Otherwise, inquire of q
inoleum layer.
Walnut Stained Floor.
I put some walnuts on my cement
garage floor to dry out, with the
result that lot Of stains appeared
that do not respond to treatment.
What should I use?
A. You will probably find that
the stains will disappear with 4
bleaching liquid. You may have to
use it full strength.
@. My house has just been paint
ed. After 50 much rain, creosote
comes out Of the siding and makes
stains. What will remove it?
A. One simple method is to sponge
with turpentine.
@. would like to redecorate a
room with wallpaper, which, at
present. has painted surfaces with
textured plastic paint in the panels.
How can I remove the plastic paint?
A. Break through the painted
surface of the textured paint by
rubbing with coarse sandpaper.
Then soak the surface with hot
water to which some household am
monia is added. When the plastic
coating Is soft. remove it with a
putty knife. Rinse the plaster with
clear water, and allow it to dry
thoroughly.
Q. What would be the best mate
rial to use for filling in the opening
caused by a wooden drainboard
warping away from q porcelain
sink?
A. A quarter or half round wood
nolding fastened with screws to
the sink end Of the drainboard is
probably the simplest method.
holdings are made In various
thicknesses and may be available
ut most lumber yards. A stainless
steel or chromium-plated molding
could be used. However, some of