Evening star., 1942-01-31
Godgets
Sponge Rubber Fills
Small Spoee Between
Bothtub and WuII
By HILSON MUNSEY.

The small space between the
bathtub and the wall is difficult
fault to correct, but there are sew
eral ways in which it can be rem
edied. This space Is not only un-
slightly but dangerous, because it
allows water to seep down through
the framework of the house to the
ceilings and the walls of the rooms
below. In time the woodwork rots
and has to be replaced, which is
messy and expensive job.
One method of taking care of this
problem is to apply strips of sponge
rubber, with a solid rubber face, to
the wall SO that the crack is covered
and the water diverted back into the
tub. This rubber strip is made
. especially for the purpose. 1t also
can be used around the edge of
standing shower.
To apply this strip of rubber, the
tub and that part of the wall upon
which the strip is to be fastened
must be thoroughly cleaned with
ether, naphtha or a good commercial
cleanser. After cleaning, the surface
must be allowed to dry thoroughly
The second step in the installa-
ton is to roughen the area of the
wall against which the rubber strip
will be cemented. So that the sand
ing WON'T extend above the molding,
1t should. be placed against the wall
and a pencil line drawn along the
upper edge. The molding then is
fitted and cut to size and the
corners, II they are inside corners,
cut with ''V" shape.
Applying the Cement.
After the cutting is done the ce-
ment is applied. First, it is spread
on the back Of the rubber molding
after first giving the molding a wip-
Ing down with naphtha to make sure
that 1t is absolutely clean. This
cement Is then allowed to dry. Fol-
lowing this the cement Is spread on
the sanded part OF the wall and the
edge OF the bathtub. Let this dry
for 20 minutes Starting at the in
side corner, the mohing is put in
place by applying second thin coat
Of the cement to a length Of about
feet of the wall and tub edging
A drying period of half a minute is
all that is needed for this applica-
ton. Then the molding Is pressed
into place firmly and the process is
repeated for the next 2 feet.
When all this Is completed the
surplus cement is cleaned off with
naphtha, taking care that none of it
gets behind the molding. This can
be done by pressing the molding
firmly against the wall while the
cleaning takes place.
Hot Water Heater.
There is a novel device on the !
market that makes the boiling of a
pail of water by electricity safe both
for the pail and the heating ele-
ment, The pail is equipped with an |
electrical heater and the current is
applied the same way as an electric |
iron. When the water gets too low
and there is danger of the heating
element burning out, the electric |
plug is blown out and the danger
ended. Moreover, this plug cannot |
be replaced until the unit has cooled !
down to below the danger point.
The pail itself is of 14-quart ca
pacity and made of heavy-gauge
galvanized iron, with q 1,25O-watt
heating element. 1t works on 110-
120 volt alternating or direct cur
rent. The plug is fitted with a cord, |
rubber insulated, 10 feet long and |
can be used in any electrical out
Let. Its weight Is seven pounds.
The same safety device also is
used in an electrical tea kettle The |
kettle Is made Of aluminium, with a
highly polished surface that makes
1t easy to keep clean. The extern |
sion cord on this kettle is 61s feet |
long. The kettle weighs only 80
ounces when 1t is empty and 1t will |
hold four quarts of water. Like
the pail it can be plugged into any
electrical outlet of the right voltage,
which makes it convenient If hot |
water Is needed in the sickroom or
anywhere away from the usual place
where kettles are heated. The
handle Is made of nodded plastic,
which keeps that part of it OF the
priority list.
X
Note: For further information
about any Of the products de-
scribed above write Mr.. Munsey,
In care of The Star, and inclose
a stamped, self-addressed enve-