The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-11-13
Fl n s TAD
to the
AILING HOUSE
GOODNESS OF ROOMS MAY BE
DUE TO LEAKS AROUND
: WINDOWS

rooms. The steam heating plant has
recently been overhauled, but while
it is apparently Of sufficient size, the
complaints still come in, and she
wants to know what to do about It.
AS the house is old, cold air proba-
bly, leaks into it all over. She should
close all leaks around the sills and
elsewhere in the cellar. Storm sash
should be provided for all windows,
and storm vestibules also. Joints
between the window frames and the
outside walls should all be caulked.
She should apply insulation, espe-
cially in the attic floor. It is posi-
BILE that the walls are so thin that
cold air can pass through them,
which can be overcome by overcoat-
ing the house. A wood shingle over
coat would be the least expensive.
I am taking it for granted that the
radiators and heating plant are Of
sufficient size for the job. This can
be told by measuring the house for
heat losses, which can be done by
any competent heating contractor.
If the leakage of cold air into the
house is prevented, the savings in
fuel consumption should 60 long
way to cover the cost of the inn
provements.
Sewer Gas
Question: Since my house was
built, II years ago, have been hav-
ing trouble with the escape of sewer
gas. Not long ago I was awakened
by the odor, and going to the cellar,
found that the water was out of the
trap. Pouring in bucket of water
stopped the trouble for the time be-
ing. Plumbers cannot account for
it. What can I do? The gas is also
noticed in the upstairs bathroom.
Answer: When your plumbing was
installed, the plumber may have
failed to include vent pipes. With
out these, discharge of water from
upstairs creates partial vacuum
that sucks all of the water out of
the traps on the floors below. He
may have put in the vent pipes up
stairs, and neglected to connect the
cellar drain. Another possibility is
break in the drain that permits
the water seal to leak out. Sewer
gas in an upstairs bathroom may
indicate an open joint in the soil
pipe or leak in the soil pipe con-
nection. ANY good plumber should
be able to locate the trouble and
correct it.
Foundation Settlement
Question: One of the two large
chinneys4. in my 12-year-old house
has cracked and moved away from
the house. One end of the house
shows cracks in the basement wall
and in the outside brickwork, and
there is a crack an inch wide in
the alcove in the living-room. Slate
particles from the roof shingles wash
off and fill the cutters and down
spouts. What can ! do about all
this?
Answer: Trouble starts with the
settlement of the foundations of your
house, possibly because the footings
are too small. You should lose no
time in having the house inspected
by a competent builder Or mason,
for if the cracking continues, there
may be serious damage. The con-
dition of your roof also requires in
spection. Have it looked at by a
competent roofer or building con-
tractor.
Vacuum Steam Valves.
Question: My one-pipe steam
house-heating plant heats is radia-
tors at very low pressure. Would
it pay me to install vacuum type
air valves?
Answer: Probably; but it would
not be enough to put on only the
valves. It would be necessary to
vacutmize the whole system. Radia-
tor steam valves, boiler attachments
and all pipe connections should be
made alright. The present pressure
gauge should be replaced by q
gauge indicating vacuum as well as
pressure. 1t is best to have the job
done by competent steamfitter.
Relief Valve
Question: My hot water supply
tank exploded. ! asked the plumb
er to put a safety valve on the
new one, which he did. It is sup
posed to relieve the steam pressure
by pushing a ball up. Is such q
safety valve really acceptable and
safe?
Answer: From your description
that valve should not be trusted.
Manufacturers Of valves all publish
circulars describing their products.
Ask different plumbers and steam
filters for circulars describing hot
water tank relief valves, and COM
pare them.
Stained Wallpaper
Question: I used transparent tape
10 hold paper on my wall for the
protection of new wallpaper. The
tape has slipped and has left
sticky mark. How can / get rid of it?
Answer: Dab it lightly with fin
gernail polish remover.
Sound-pr0of Floor
Question: ] intend to finish my
attic into fiat. How can ! make
he floor sound-proof? At the pres-