Show FIRST AID to the AILING HOUSE by ROGER B WHITMAN V roger 13 whitman features LATH MARKS ON PLASTER DUE TO condensation TT T IS quite usual for upstairs ceil 1 ings to show parallel marks corresponding to the lath that supports the plaster the cause of this marking is not always understood actually it is one of the effects of condensation densa tion when markings occur it is usually under an unheated attic the low temperature in the attic cools the ceiling plaster beneath and condensation occurs with the chilling of warm and damp house air by contact with it the plaster becomes slightly dampened especially in th the spaces between the laths baths not enough to be noticed but quite enough to pick up dust from the air it is the gradual accumulation of dust that makes the dark streaks the streaks actually being in the spaces between the lath rather than on the lath itself one rem edy for this is insulation in the attic floor between the floor beams the effect of this is to keep the plaster from being chilled and thus prevent condensation the appearance of lath marks on a side wall is due to the chilling of the air in the wall spaces methods by which this can be stopped depend on the construction of the house it goes without saying that the appearance of lath markson marks on ceilings or walls indicates loss of heat and consequent waste of fuel sooty chimney question how can I 1 avoid having ae arge 0 amounts of soot blown into a room from a fireplace on windy days Is there any way to clean the vent and chimney answer the back drafts in your chimney may be because the chimney is too low its top should be at least two feet above the highest point of the roof and higher still it if there are tall trees or buildings nearby another another reason might be the improper design of the fireplace and the omission of a wind shelt shelf behind the throat also the fireplace opening may be too high for its width if it is not several inches lower than its width raise the fireplace floor by putting down one or two layers of firebrick A chimney can be cleaned by lowering a ti tire re chain on a rope from the top swinging 51 1 ng it from side to side as it descends before doing this the fireplace opening should be closed with a heavy piece of canvas or otherwise painted chimney question how can paint be removed from the outside of a brick chimney answer that depends on the kind of paint that was used it if it was oil paint it can be burned off with a blowtorch using every every care to protect nearby woodwork from fire if 11 it is a water paint soak it with water and use a wire brush whitewash and driveway question where mere can I 1 get information on making a good whitewash that will vill not peel and on building a country home driveway feet long answer you can get a leaflet on a variety of whitewashes whitewasher white washes from the national lime association washington D C at no cost for ten cents the superintendent of documents washington D C will send you agricultural miscellaneous publication li no having the title construction of private driveways removing veneer question how can veneer be removed from an oak desk this has chipped but in most places sticks terribly tight answer scrape off the finish to the bare wood or use a varnish remover so that moisture can penetrate and lay cloths claths damp with water over the veneer that you want to take off for quicker action tion press the damp cloth with a hoi hot iron steam that forms will soften the glue rapidly |