Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 14, Number 20, DeMotte, Jasper County, 31 March 1944 — FIRST-AID to the AILING HOUSE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FIRST-AID to the AILING HOUSE

by Roger B. Whitman

Roger B. Whitman—WNU Feature*. CRACKED PLASTER Question: What is best to do with cracked plaster? We have had some of the cracks refilled with plaster, but after a year or two these cracks are worse than before, as the new plaster has fallen out. What do you think of covering the walls and ceilings of bathroom and kitchen, which at present are painted, with wallcloth—the kind that can be painted over? A friend has just said that putting a wallcloth on the walls and ceilings would tend to pull the plaster off the walls. Would this be possible? Answer: Wide cracks should be cut out so that they are wider at the lath than on the surface; in hardening, the patch will lock itself into place. You can get patching plaster at a hardware store. Before putting in the patch, the old plaster should be dampened to prevent water from being drawn from the patching compound. Fill the crack only three-quarters’ full. When this part of the patch has hardened, the rest can be filled and the surface smoothed. This will prevent possible shrinkage. A fine hairline crack can be filled by brushing with a mixture of three paints boiled linseed oil and one part turpentine to the consistency of a fably thin paste; this is rubbed on witPa cloth to force the paste into the cracks, and the excess is wiped the surface. Light sandpapering may be necessary when the paste ha^Qjried. Wallcloth would make a very gu< d oay4rlng for your walls and ceilings. You chn get it in plain colors as well as\in wallpaper designs. I see no reason why it should pull the plaster from the walls, or ceilings. The walls fshould be sized before applying/the wallcloth. * * * ACID STAIN ON FLOOR Question: How can I take out an acid stain from a floor? Scrubbing and sandpapering have not succeeded. Answer: If the stain has penetrated the wood, try bleaching with a hot saturated solution of oxalic acid (poison) or Javelle water. Brush this on the floor and allow to remain all night. Then rinse thoroughly. When dry, sandpaper the area. Reftnish in the same way as the rest of the floor. • • • Cleaning a Rug Question: I have obtained a bottle of carbon tetrachloride and want to use it to clean my rug, which is a light gold shade. However, while I have read that carbon tetrachloride is good for spots in rugs, I do not have any idea how it should be used. Can you tell me? Also, is it to be diluted? Answer: If there are grease spots on the rug, you can use the carbon tetrachloride for them. To do this, place the spot over a shallow pan or bowl and pour the carbon tetrachloride over the area repeatedly until the spot has disappeared. But, in order to clean the entire rug you will find it more economical to have it done by a professional rug cleaner. Or you can do the job with one of the well-known rug shampoos. I would not use the carbon tetrachloride for cleaning the entire rug; it is too expensive for tho purpose and the fumes given off by the chemical, if inhaled in large quantities, might be harmful. • • • Windows Stick Question: How can I ease the opening and closing of windows in my home? Answer: Windows will work more easily if the grooves are rubbed well with paraffin. Some hardware and dime stores sell a special preparation for the purpose.