Show FIRST AID to the AILING HOUSE by ROGER C. C WHITMAN QUESTION We had our house insulated about three years ears ago the attic floor and the four outside walls Then we had the house painted The paint didn't stay on at all aU it came off in large pieces Some told us it was due to poor paint others said it was due to the house being insulated Now we must do something as the house is in terrible condition What should we do Should we put on asbestos shingles or repaint repaint repaint re re- re- re paint it again I have had contractors contractors contractors con con- tractors look at it and some say sayto sayto sayto to put on shingles which is their job and others say that paint or or shingles will never be satisfactory due to the dampness I am so anxious to hear what you would advise ANSWER Before you do any outside finishing try to clear up the dampness inside the house for until you do you may continue to have trouble Leaflets describing describing describing ing the causes of dampness and the corrective measures to take are being sent to you With loose insulation in the walls protective precautions should have been taken taken tak talc en to keep the damp house air from going through the plaster settling in the insulation You can now cover the walls with a vapor barrier consisting of two coats of aluminum paint followed by oil paint or else with an oil-cloth oil type of also to be painted paint paint- I ed Do the same thing with the I ceilings under the attic |