Show FIRST AID to the AILING HOUSE by roger B whitman 0 roger BW B whitman hitman service sunlight on furniture fuestion rU ESTION what are the effects Q QUESTION of sunlight and steam stearn heat on furniture does a steam radiator standing one toot foot away from the side of a chest of drawers and giving oft off heat have any adverse effects on the furniture answer sunlight on some varnished surfaces may cause them to turn white in other cases the heat of the sun may cause hairline hair line cracks in the varnish it is best to protect the furniture from direct sunlight whether it be through glass or an open window furniture placed close to a steam radiator may become very dry causing the joints to loosen it may also damage the finish by drying out the oils in the varnish eighteen inches or more between the furniture and the radiator would be more advisable too much heat question my living room radiator is too large for the apartment can you suggest a method of cutting down radiation without taking out any of the sections would cardboard or any other material in inserted sert in the air spaces cut heat radiation by blocking free air circulation answer A radiator cover with all sides solid except the front will do it I 1 would not advise cardboard if a radiator cover is out of the question go to your local tinsmith shop and get a man to bend the ends of a piece of sheet metal for you you so that it will enclose the back and sides of 0 f the radiator the sheet metal can be painted to match the walls an open window near the radiator will also temper the heat of the radiator cracked paint question in a very old house paint on plaster is terribly cracked how can it be removed answer it if the cracking has gone through the plaster the damage can be repaired with patching plaster get t it at a hardware store if the cracking is only in the paint and the paint itself is firmly attached the cracks can be filled with patching plaster white lead paste or glue size thickened with whiting after drying smooth the surface with sandpaper wrapped around a block of wood water heaters qu question estion I 1 have a choice of elther either a water heater with my oil burner unit or a regular boiler burner unit with a storage tank in your experience which have you found to give greater satisfaction is answer the type of water heater might have a slight preference over the storage type but you must make sure the boiler is plenty large enough to furnish the necessary amount of heat for the house as well as sufficient capacity to heat water for your household needs crusting kettle question noting an inquiry on hard water crusting in a kettle an old cape recommends keeping a small clamshell in the kettle the crusts form on this and the kettle remains white and clean A new shell can be put in when the other is discolored many thanks for that another remedy is to cut a piece of linen to fit the size of the bottom of the kettle the crust will deposit on the linen which can be renewed when stiffened hiding scratches question I 1 am looking for a compound in stick form to hide scratches on maple and mahogany before waxing do you know of any such thing answer dealers in radio supplies use a stick tor for taking out scratches on radio cabinets which is what yo you are looking for you ma may b be e haab a able to get it at one of the 25 50 75 c chains s your radio dealer should be willing to get one for you if he does not ca carry rry the sticks in stock |