Evening star., 1961-09-30
inadequate Closets

G.s VIC AlC AANAAA6 IA q wv
small apartment and have
very inadequate closet space.
Is there any way we can pro-
vide temporary storage space
(other than boxesD that
wouldn't be difficult to put
into working order? We plan
to move into a larger house
within two years and don't
want to bother with elaborate
construction jobs.
A: Ready : to = assemble,
complete wardrobe cabinets
and ready-made storage cabi-
nets are available at depart
ment stores and some large
housewares dealers, as well as
unpainted furniture stores.
These come in. a wide variety
of sizes and materials.
Shelving is also easily put
up on walls with metal or
wood strips for adjusting the
height Of the shelves; avail
able at most sources carrying
the cabinets and many hard
ware and lumber dealers.
Insulating Woter Tank
O.: The hot water tank in
the house we recently pur-
chased is in good condition
but it is not insulated. What
kind of insulating material
can we put on it?
A: bling supplies
houses have boiler and tank
insulating material which is
usually troweled on over wire
mesh. Or, If the tank is a
standard size, insulating
jackets are available.
MiIdew-Preventor
@: What can be done about
mildew on a bathroom wall
before we repaint? Is there
anything to add to paint to
prevent this from happening
again?
A: Painted, mildeWed sur
faces should be scrubbed with
a strong solution of house
hold bleach, allowing this to
remain two or three minutes
before rinsing off with clear
water. Mildewcides for fungi
cides usually mercurous
chloride) are available at
most paint or hardware stores
to be mixed with paint, fol-
lowing label directions care
fully.
However, to prevent the
growth of mildew in the
bathroom, ample ventilation
and air circulation should be
provided: keep the window
open as much as possible on
clear, dry days; if the bath
room air is unusually moist,
installing an exhaust fan,
vented to the outdoors,
should help considerably.
One Of the very best fin
ishes is enamel-either gloss
or semigloss-for bathroom
(and kitchen) walls, because
of the usually more humid
air in these rooms.
Wax Varnished Floor?
@: I've been thinking OF
trying a plastic-finish varnish
on my oak pafduet floor, in
stead Of wax. Would this
affect the wood in any way.
or should 1 continue to use
wax?
A: The varnish finish could
be applied to the floor. But
wax should be used anyway
to protect the varnish finish;
the wax takes the dirt and
wear.
Attic Moisture
@: We have a 106-year-
old frame house, 3 stories
with gas heat and metal roof.
Moisture collects on the in
side of the roof. We keep
windows open at each end Of
the attic and have six inches
of insulation on the attic
floor. Roof is in good repair.
What do you suggest?
A: Windows may be in
adequate for proper attic
ventilation and air circula-
ton; lowers might, help, in
stalled as high as possible,
Ventilation openings should
give at least one square foot
for each 300 square feet OF
attic floor area. Your house
air may be too humid. and
the moisture rises up into
the attic. Recommend send
ing Is cents to the National
Mineral Wool Association,
1870 Sixth avenue, New York
City, for a copy of their
Control of Moisture"
Insulating Frome Cottage
@: How can a 2l2- story
frame cottage, covered with
brick veneer, be insulated in
in order to reduce heat loss.
The house is 40 to so years
old, with relatively new storm
windows and doors.
A: 1t probably would be
easiest to have the blown-in
type Of insulation put into
your wall spaces. And. by
all means, If your top ceiling
is not covered with insulation,
or If there isn't insulation
under the roof, this should be
put in.
Similarly, any flooring over
a crawl space should have
insulation on it's under side.
This is best done profession
ally. Dealers usually have in
stallation instruction sheets
available: or send S cents to
National Mineral Wool Asso-
citation, 1910 Sixth avenue,
New York 20, N. Y, for copy
of leaflet How to Install
Mineral Wool Pneumatical-
ly."
Problem Pine