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Show FIRST-AID AILING HOUSE by Roger B, Whitman (Released by Western Newspaper Union.l ROAD DUST CAN BE LAID WITH CALCIUM CHLORIDE DUST on a road, a tennis court or other open space can be laid with calcium chloride flakes. This chemical can be obtained in many hardware stores and from dealers in mason materials and road supplies, and is inexpensive. It should be scattered on the surface at the rate of a pound and a half to the square yard. Even on a dry day the chemical chem-ical will be liquefied by moisture picked up from the air and the liquid liq-uid in combining with the surface dust, will form a crust. A few days later, another application should be made at the rate of a pound to the square yard. The crust formed by these two applications should last for some weeks. The crust will not be injurious to the paws of dogs and other small animals or to horses' hooves. Calcium chloride draws water from anything with which it is in contact. For instance, shoe leather will be dried out. For protection, rubber boots or overshoes over-shoes should be worn when working with it, also gloves. Wet Streak on Wall Question: There is a wet streak on the wall of the entrance of a small apartment that starts about the middle of May; it dries out in clear warm weather, but appears in any humid period. It does not show when the furnace is going. A plumber plumb-er blamed the roof, but the roofer claims that it is from the plumbing. Neither of them can locate the leak. What can you suggest? Answer: From your description the wet spot is evidently from condensation. con-densation. The spot where it appears ap-pears is at a lower temperature than the house air. This may be because be-cause some part of the masonry wall projects through and is in direct contact with the plaster, or because openings in the wall subject that portion to a current of cool air. To check on this, compare the temperature tempera-ture of that portion of the wall with that of another portion that remains dry. The remedy depends so much on construction that it can be told only after an inspection. Worn Shellac Question: Several years ago our floors were given one coat of shellac, but owing to conditions, we were unable un-able to do more. The shellac has now worn off in spots, but under furniture and in other protected places it is as good as new. Must the floors be sanded again? Answer: That will not be needed You can take the remaining shellac from the worn places by wiping with denatured alcohol. Then apply ap-ply two coats of top quality shellac, not more than six months old get the assurance of the dealer on this point thinned with two quarts of denatured alcohol to every three quarts of shellac. Moving Walls Question: Foundations of our walls are hollow concrete block. The walls seem to be moving out, and the inside wall finish is cracking. The contractor recommends a concrete con-crete retaining wall on two sides from the ground level to below the footings. Do you think this would be wise? Answer: The ground under your house evidently is filled in, or in the nature of quicksand. If the contractor con-tractor knows his business and has made a thorough examination, his recommendation probably is correct. If possible, ask him to give you a written guarantee of satisfactory results. Water Softener Question: For the last five years I have been using a water softener that I. bought second-hand. For this reason I do not know how old it is. For the past two years the zeolite has had to be regenerated with increasing in-creasing frequency. I use about 100 pounds of salt per month. Can the efficiency of the zeolite be restored? Or must I purchase a new filling? Answer: The zeolite has undoubtedly undoubt-edly lost its efficiency. Considering the length of time the softener has been in use, I think that it has done very well. Write to the manufacturer manufactur-er about procuring another charge. Wasps Question: Wasps have made a nest under the eaves of our house. They did this last summer. What can we do now to drive them out and keep them from returning? Answer: At dusk on a cool evening, eve-ning, when the wasps will be dormant, dor-mant, spray the nest heavily and suddenly with kerosene, which will stun them. Provide a stout paper bag, big enough to enclose the nest, which can be broken off inside in-side it and then burned. Should the wasps show signs of returning, either ei-ther this season or next, swab that section of the eaves with kerosene. |