Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-06-30

Of aluminium paint or water
proof building paper with the
edges overlapped and sealed.
There's another type Of
condensation which is a con-
slant annoyance, and alleyi-
ating it completely can be
quite an extensive job. This
is the case where a tile floor
rests directly on a concrete
slab. In warm, muggy wealth
er, the whole floor becomes
wet. Many summer cottages
are built this way, and quite
a few year-round homes. too.
It there are radiant heat
ing coils embedded in the
slab. there's no problem
where the floor becomes wet
from condensation; all that's
needed is to warm up the
floor q few degrees and re-
move the chill transmitted
from the ground. Then the air
won't condense.
But for plain slabs, there's
very little that can be done
without some carpentry. One
easy method which sometimes
works well is to place one or
two electric fans on the floor
and aimed so they blow
across the floor toward an
open door. This may stir up
the air enough to keep it from
settling and condenSing. It's
a method worthwhile trying,
but there are times, it's true,
when this is like sending q
boy to do a mans job.
Roise Floor
The real answer is q raised
floor, built on stringers
(which have been thoroughly
treated with wood preserva-
tive). The new floor will then
be out of contact with the
slab. separated by insulating
dead air space. And as in the
case of the false wall. it's
an excellent idea to paint the
underside of the raised floor
with aluminium paint, or ap-
ply a similar vapor barrier,
just in case.
One of the biggest helps, of
course, is thorough and fire.
Quent ventilation on clear,
dry days. Electric fans placed
on the stills of open windows
and blowing outward win help
draw damp air out Of the
house so that it can be re-
placed by fresh, dry air. AS
a matter of fact, when it's
muggier outside than in, It's
better to keep doors and
windows closed.
Some of these condensa-
ton problems can occur all
year round. such as the toilet
flush tank. But the warm
weather seems to aecentuate
them. And through the prin-
ciple of insulating, as OUT
lined here. it's hoped the
problems of condensation can
at least be leSsened this sum-
mer around your house.
Question: I want to repaint
the wood floor of our back
porch. Cracks have developed
between some of the floor
boards. What is the best way
to fill these before repaint-
ing?
Answer: Cracks between
the floor boards can be filleC
:, with white lead thinned with
linseed oil, crack filler o.
plastic wood; If cracks arr
too narrow for filling, run
linseed oil into these. Their
allow ample time for the fill
Ter to dry thoroughly before
painting the floor.
Porch floor painting is best
done in warm weather, after
several dry days. so that
cracks between the boards
are widest and thoroughly
filled when being prepared.
Question: The previous
owner of our recently pur-
chased home left us a wood
ladder apparently in good
condition. However. it has no
finish on the wood. Is any
finish necessary to keep the
ladder in good condition?
Answer: No special finish
or treatment of the wood is
necessary. Painting wood lad
ders is not recommended. as
a matter of fact. because
cracks or signs of decay would
be hidden.
If you wish. you can apply
a coat of spar varnish to the
wood. Keep the ladder, when
not is use, stored in a dry,
ventilated place, off the
ground.
"a Consolidated News Feature)