Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-02-28
Household Queries
Are Answered
By ROGER c. WHITMAN
Contributing Writer


Question: Our kitchen sink
Is directly above set tubs in
the basement. When water
drains from the sink. It goes
up into the set tubs and then
runs down again into the
drain pipe. How can I cor
rest this?
Answer: I belive installing
q simple check valve so that
water cannot rise in the
drain pipe to set tubs in
basement will do the trick"
that Is a valve which will
open only when water drains
from set tubs. 1t is a very
simple installation job for
any plumber. 1t may also be
that the vent stack is clogged
"a birds nest may have been
built there). so that when
water is poured suction in the
pipe line is not broken. In
spect vent stack before in
stalling check valve.
odoF In Closet
Question-During q chilly
spell Of weather a clothes
closet in our entry hall
snelled moldy and was quite
cold. How can we remedy
this?
Answer - Wash down the
walls and other surfaces with
a mildew-prooang prepara-
ton. The outside closet walls
should be insulated. Fur out
the walls, then place a blanket
insulation between the Turing
strips and finish with an in
sulating wallboard. If there
is an unheated area above the
closet, do the same thing to
the ceiling. In very cold
weather, it would be advisable
to keep q 60-watt bulb burn
ing to increase the tempera-
ture in the closet and to dry
out any moisture. Keep it
away from inflammable ma
terials.
There is an exceedingly
useful electrical heating
unit which is simply fastened
to the Dashboard and plugged
In. It burns the equivalent
Of Q 25-watt bulb. and its
gentle heat and air circula-
ton can permanently cure
danpnesS in closets or similar
spaces. The surfaces Of the
wallboard should be painted
with an oil base paint so that
they could be readily washed
when necessary.
Pointing creosoted Posts
Question: built q fence
with former cross arms on
telegraph poles. These were
creosoted for their entire
length. I painted the posts
above ground with aluminium
paint apparently sealing the
creosote Cat least 2 coats all
over, some places 4 coats.
then applied prime coat and
finish coat Of white house
paint. After several months
the creosote was bleeding
through badly. Is there any
way to paint these? I would
prefer white, If possible.
Answer-Wood treated with
creosote cannot be painted
until after 1t has weathered
for several years. And, even
then, the creosote may bleed
through. I recommend re-
moving present paint and
allowing posts to weather a
while. Then try applying
several coats of good quality
house paint. Only other thing
to do is to put on more paint
but the bleeding is likely to
return.
Rust Marks
Question - My concrete
porch floor has unsigthly
dark rust marks from our
glider. We have not disposed
Of the glider. How can We
remove these marks?
Answer - To remove the
rust marks: Dissolve one part
sodium citrate in six parts
Of water and six parts Of
commercial glycerin. Mix part
Of this with enough powd-
cred whiting or other absorb
ing powder to form a paste.
Spread q thick layer Of the
paste over the spots. When
the paste dries, either replace
with fresh paste or moiSten
with the remaining liquid,
For complete removal Of
stubborn stains. q week or
longer may be required.
Additional Supports
Question: want to put
flooring in my attic and build
q finished bedroom and BATH.
1t now has two by six JoistS
on 24-inch center, Is feet
long. Would there be enough
support If I added another
0@SC
II A Fine Home in 81
Z SUMNER =
~ yoO6 Brookewey b.. u