The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1943-06-03
Colored Concrete Floor

by the homeowner's friend tells you how.
Colored Concrete Floor
Question: In coloring a concrete
floor for a sun parlor, is it best to
mix powdered coloring with the con
crete when the floor is made. or to
wait until the floor is finished and
then paint it?
Answer: If the right kind of color
ing is used, powdered color mixed
with the concrete when the floor is
made is permanent and will not
wear off. However, the color should
be Of a special kind that is proof
against the effects Of lime in the
cement. Lime-proof colors T on
sale and should be insisted on. They
should not be used in a greater pro-
portion than 10 per cent Of the
weight of the cement. For a floor
that is not in contact with the earth
and therefore permanently dry. col
or can be had with ordinary top
quality floor enamel. The manufac-
turers' instructions should be care
fully followed. A penetrating dye
made for the purpose can also be
had.
Damp Walls
Question: My house is stucco on
hollow tiles. The wallpaper in many
places shows wet spots the shape
of the tiles. What can I do about it?
Answer: The inside plaster is evil
IDENTIFY applied directly to the tile.
instead of being applied on lath on
Turing strips. The plaster therefore,
becomes as cold as the tile, and the
wet spots are due to condensation.
The only real way to cure the trou-
BILE is to replaster the house, using
lath on Turing strips, or a form Of
insulating board, to be had at a
lumber yard, to be applied over your
present walls. No form of paint or
any outside treatment will do, for
neither one will provide the insula-
ton that is necessary.
Broken Birdbath
Question: What will mend a bro
ken birdbath? The bowl cracked
in the frost. What will stick it to-
gether so that it will hold water?
Answer: Bring the bowl into the
house so that it will dry out. Then
coat both sides of the break with
white lead paste and bind the parts
tightly together. After hardening,
which will take three months or so,
the joint will be watertight. If you
do not want to wait as long as that,
and a yellowish tinge of the cement
makes no difference, make a cement
powdered litharge and ordinary
glycerine. This acts quickly and is
thoroughly waterproof when dry.
Removing Wallpaper
Question: Can wallpaper be re-
moved from plasterboard?
Answer: That could be done by
soaking with water, but using no
more water than will be needed. If
you use too much, you may soak off
the paper finish of the p~lasterboard.
At best, the ~plasterboard surface
will be left rough. To smooth it,
put on a coat of shellac. which in
drying, will stiffen the paper surface
of the board, which can then be
rubbed smooth with sandpaper. 1t
is then ready for %papering.
Sagging Floor
Question: In an old house that is
to be remodeled, the floors are sink
ing and buckling, apparently from
crumbling foundations. How can
they be strengthened? Is the situa.
ton hopeless?
Answer: The trouble may start
with poor foundations, which a be
renewed by a good mason. Trouble
may also be from the rotting Of sills,
beams, and other wood parts, or
from termite attack. The case is
by no ear hopeless. Consult any
good contractor.
Porch Floor Supports
Question: In a stucco house the
frame and stucco porches are sup
ported on piers even with the sur
face of the ground. Wood under the
stucco touches the ground and has
begun to rot. If the wood is re-
placed by concrete, must the founda-
ton be deep? The piers now extend
below the frost line.
Answer: Evidently the piers are
made of concrete or masonry, and
could be used as supports for beams
of concrete. Foundation walls would
not be needed.
WaXed Floors Get Dull
Question: What is the best way
to care for my waxed floors? They
lose their shine so quickly after
being waxed and polished with an
electric polisher.
Answer: Perhaps you have used
too much wax. Remove it, then ap-
ply two thin, even coats, polishing
each one well after hard-drying. Ere
quent waxing should be necessary
only at doorways. For the rest OF
the floor, twice a year is enough.
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