Evening Star Newspaper, May 11, 1940, Page 21

REAL ESTATE. First Aid For the Ailing House By ROGER B. WHITMAN. . Q. My kitchen wails and ceilings are finisherd with tongue-and-groove beading. The seams are separated. What can I cover or seal them with? Two cracked plaster ceilings were covered with thin wallboard, with the joints stripped. Can I put in- sulating board over them, nailed through to the laths and beams? Or must the wallboard and plaster first be removed? A. Seams between the boards of the walls and ceiling will open and close in changes from damp to dry weather. No filler will withstand the swelling and shrinking of the wood. One remedy would be to cover the boards with felt nailed on with tacks, spaced six inches apart in all directions, and then hung with canvas pasted on, to be painted or papered. Insulating boards can be put on your other ceilings after re- moving the strips, using nails long enough to go through wallboard and plaster and into the woodwork be- hind. Rattling Windows. Q. What can be done to keep windows _from rattling, besides: stuffing the cracks? A. The best and most permanent cure is to put on metal weather- strips, which will give other advan- tages as well. Another method for the lower sash is to take off the strips of molding that form the front edges of the grooves in which the sashes slide, and to replace them to make a snugger fit. At any hard- ‘ware store and at a five-and-ten you can get rubber wedges made to stop Tattling. Unpleasant Odor. Q. There is an odor in our bed- room at all times, especially when windows and door are closed. It is not an odor of something dead. It has been in the room since it was painted four months ago. When the paint was mixed, my wife noticed an obnoxious odor, but the owner of the house insists that it cannot be the paint. What would be your guess? . A. If the paint was of a kind mixed with cold water, and contain- ing casein, it is probably responsible. Poor qualities of casein paint often have a most objectionable odor, al- though in the best qualities this has | been entirely overcome. Inquire into the kind of paint that was used; this may be the answer. Papered Cellar Walls. Q. I would like to paper my cellar walls, which are plaster and in- clined to be damp. How could the paper be made to stay on? A. With damp walls the question is not only of making the paper stay on, but of its becoming stained. I do not advise attempting it. Spotted Floor. Q. Our year-old hardwood floors ‘were originally in beautiful condi- tion with what I suspect was a shel- lac finish. Although we have used liquid floor wax, they show every ‘water drop as & white spot and also scrape up badly. How can this be prevented? A. White spots from water are characteristic of shellac. One rem- edy would be to wipe the floor with denatured alcohol, which will take up the wax and erase the white spots. You should then put on one or two coats of top quality floor var- oish, for which the shellac will be a good first coat. Brass Clock. Q. I have a brass clock with chimes that has been in the family for about 50 years. It hasn’t run steady for a long time. I would like to have it made into an electric clock. Would you please tell me ‘who could do the work and whether or not it would lower the value of the clock to alter it in this way? A. The clock can be electrified, but all of the present works in the clock will have to be removed. You will find names of firms who do this . kind of work listed in the classified telephone directory. Putting mod- ern mechanism in the old clock will depreciate the value. Kitchen Floor. | Q. I plan to have a floor laid m} the kitchen of a summer cabin, and | would like to know what type of wood would be best and how I| should finish it. A. Oak or edge grain yellow pine can be used, and could be finished either with two coats of quick-dry- ing varnish or a penetrating wax finish made for this particular pur- pose. . Cellar Store Closet. Q. I have a large store closet in my cellar. How can I remove damp- ness from it so that clothes can safely be stored out of season? A. Tt is not advisable to use & cel- 130 Homes Already Sold? _EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1940. ~BUY IN BRADLEY WOODS—This dwelling at 7805 Oldchester road, Bradley Woods, has been sold by Paul T. Stone, Inc., builder, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Poch. lar for storage, for clothes or for anything else that could be injured by dampness. Condensation in a cellar is almost inevitable through the chilling of warm and damp air from contact with the cool masonry walls. If you can ventilate your closet with a continuous flow of dry air, your clothes might be safe; but even so0, I would not advocate stor- age in the cellar. Bubbles in Varnish. Q. How can I get the bubbles out of varnish? When I start a var- nishing job, the varnish is always full of bubbles. Do temperatures from zero to 14 affect paint? A. Air bubbles are usually caused by shaking the can of varnish just before using, and sometimes by brushing the varnish too vigorously. Paint in cans should not be kept in a place where the temperatures drop below freezing. Refinishing Venetian Blinds. Q. I have been waxing the slats of my Venetian blinds, but the finish has now come off in places. How can I refinish them? How can I clean the tapes? A. First, wipe the slats with a cloth wet with turpentine to take off all traces of wax. You can then re- finish with quick-drying enamel, and if this is of the same shade as the present finish, one coat will be sufficient. When thoroughly dry, put on a coat of paste floor wax. Tapes cannot easily be cleaned, but you can get new tapes at any large de- partment store that clip to the old tapes and cover them. Do you know of the special tool for cleaning the slats of Venetian blinds? It is made with four or five fingers covered with sheep’s wool and of such size that several slats can be cleaned at one time. Department and hard- ware stores have these tools. Building Congress (Continued From First Page.) builders and _subopntractors - be licensed in the District of Columbia; that the fee be a nominal one, possi- bly $3, and that there be some limit below which work may be done with- out a license, $1,000 béing tentatively suggested as that limit. The chief purpose of such a system of licensing would be to protect the public by taking awsy the license of those con= tractors ose work is not satis~ factory. It was agreed that the whole subject of licensing architects, engi- neers, contractors and subcon- tractors should receive further study, so that details could be worked out, Nebraska Ave. 1 Block West Conn. Ave. Open—2 to 9 P.M. Daily Owner’s transfer makes & sacri- fioe price necessary. New brick home, 6§ months old. 7 spacious rooms including 1st fleor library, 3 bedrooms, 2 tiled baths. tioned, insulated furred walls. Lot 154’ deep. Can arrange monthly payment less than rent F. A. TWEED CO. 907 15th St. N.W. EM. 7155 but that the board approved the principle involved. A committee was also set up to give further study to the matter of con- tract documents and their improve- ments. The question of clear specifi- cations and adequate drawings and their relation to the cost of building will be taken up and the possibility of developing a set of standardized specifications will be worked out. The streamlining of specifications to remove unnecessary verbiage will also be studied. Crolius (Continued From First Page.) makers of this enamel have pre- pared a folder which not only shows & drawing of the original piece as it probably stands in your home, or in a second-hand store, but also shows what you have to do to it in the way of cutting up and altering the woodwork. Finally, it tells you what colors to paint the various things in case you don’t trust your own Judgment. * koxox It’s strange how loud a small drop of water can make itself sound in the dead of night, isn’tit? The con- stant drip, drip of a leaky faucet is practically the same as the water torture of the Spanish Inquisition, and you can go to sleep only after you have pitched and tossed your- self into exhaustion. But with the marvelous improvements which have been made in kitchen, bath- room and other plumbing equip- ment it was only natural that the old sore spot had to go sooner or later. Now even the water faucet has been streamlined and fitted with ball bearings so that it can leak no longer. If you have ever taken a faucet to pieces you have probably found the remnants of a circular washer ground to a pulp by the grinding action it had to undergo 16th Stroet Village 1612 S. SPRINGWOOD P ainray e Kiechen, aliwey 3 e 1 $t. to D. C. Mne, a'r‘:"lnl.hl snder rails to $ad 6 “'R. 3. BEECH Wis. 3155 Sales Now Average 1 a Day Meadowbrook | —Star Staff Photo. when you opened and closed the faucet. The contact that this fiber or rubber washer made with the seat being the means of shutting off the stream of water. ! This grinding action is now elim- inated by a “super” faucet washer which has a little ring of ball bear- ings located above the specially de- signed sealing element. Thus, when you twist the handle on your faucet the washer is not ground down against the seat, but is pressed be:"l,n': against it while the balll ‘3 take up the rotary motion. A leak- proof. seal is thereby obtained and you will find that the inconvenience of installing new washers is largely eliminated. * ok kX If you would like to receive the paint booklet referred to in this|| column together with the names of || the manufacturers of the articles which are mentioned just mail the column with a stamped, self-ad- dressed envelope to Lawrence Cro- lus, 51 East Sixty-seventh fl-ree\‘,l‘ New York. $10,760 -- $11,450 A group of six new de- tached brick homes over- looking the beautiful Po- tomac Valley. These smart homes, located on large lots, convenient to every- thing, include three bed- rooms, two baths, open fire- en, brick garage, air condi- tioned. Ezhidit Home Furmished By Hilda N. Miller Open Sandey and Daily. Out Conduit Road to W St, Right to Homes. FRANK S. PHILLIPS 927 15th St. Dist. 1411 New construction. $26,711,000 Repair and modernisation 4,657,000 Hoine purchase g%mmmu-mmmum. Powder Holds Rugs To keep rugs from slipping with- out driving tacks into specially made powder or rubbery material may be purchased at most department stores. Or pleces of olicloth may be sewn to the under . | side of the rug with the shiny side next to the floor. the floor, . $12,900 5620 Wilson Lane EDGEMOOR, MARYLAND The Beautiful Wooded Grounds Have an Area of Over With a Fronta A GROVE OF MAGNIFICENT OAKS This center-hall Colonial home has been thoroughly re- conditioned. There are 4 bedrooms and 2 baths on the 2nd floor, an extra room and ample storage space on the 3rd floor, 1st-floor lavatory, pantry, lovely open porch off spacious living room, maid’s room, oil heat and garage. This is @ repossessed property and is being offered ot a Liberal long-term financing can be 17,000 Square Fee very attractive price. arranged for a responsible purchaser. To Reach: Drive past Bank of Bethesda on Old Georgetown Road 5620 and Our Open Sism. Open Sunday, 10:30 to 6 BOSS & PHELPS to Wilson Lane, turn left to No. 1417 K Stroet of 125 Feet. NA.M %, LEE AN HeToTS Prices Start at $7,250— 10% Cash Balance on Easy Monthly Payments SAMPLE HOUSE, 6024 LEE BLVD. ’s newest subdivision; (on bus line). ©® Six Rooms ©® Ample Closet Space ©® 3 Bedrooms (a Dressing Room) Built by George W. Offutt 3d. ©® Built-in Garoge @ Air-Conditioned, Awtomatic Heat @ Large Lot—With Trees OPEN DAILY AND SUNDAY OUTWARD CHARM TO ENHANCE THE LIVABILITY WITHIN s . THIS HOME WILL BE SOLD ON LENIENT TER MS AT $18,750 329 Mansion Drive, Colonial Park OPEN SUNDAY -11 am. to 7 p.m. for a discriminating family—only Here is a truly fine Southern Colonial aris tocrat, set high on a hill just fifteen min- utes from the heart of town in a residential park. The owners have acquired an estate out-of-town and are offering it well below its cost, when built five years ago, on terms to suit the purchase commodious quarters, r, . Monthly payments will run much less than rent for such On the first floor is a beautifully proportioned living room with fire- place, dining room:with fireplace, kitchen, pantry, breakfast room and two flagstone terraces. There are four spacious bedrooms and two baths on the second floor and a floored attic. Maid’s room and bath, laundry | and oil-heating plant are in the basement. There is-a 2-car garage built- in.. Details throughout have been executed in true traditional manner. : Cross Memorial Bridge to entrance to' Arling- mile to Directions: ton Cemetery, left two miles to Russell Rd., bear rig| 1 gates n}'f:omm Park—turn right to the home. N 2300 SO. ARLINGTON RIDGE ROA ht one oHALLOCK & HERRING, REAL ESTATE. 4608 23rd St N. : Addington, Va. 1 Block OF Lee Highway 1 mm“nml bath, m rooms, living room, room, and kitchen, air eowm“m Just com- pleted. Open All Day Saturday and Sunday Approved by F. H. A. Low Pricc—Easy Terms Two Outstanding Values CHEVY CHASE, D.C, 3717 Ingomar St. N.W, 4 Bedrooms—2 Baths $11,750 A lovely substantia]l home. situsted one quare west, of Comn. Ave. quict; Akt stiant.” Lisal heme for seitiod amily. There are 8 splend . 4 Dedreoms and 3 ‘tile. b Beor."ne "reom. bath “and oraze sbace shove. Livim approxt: mately ‘22215 with Celenial fire Sorime® 7‘““...:.. kwoel o ox . roe lation fs. vided, roef 4 T eated 3 OIS ERie, 0 OPEN SUNDAY, 11 UNTIL DARK Reached via Conn. Ave., one square west at Ingomar St. 5518 Chevy Chase Parkway Near Chevy Chasc Circle $10,950 tores, public and parochial schools, trans- Dortation and several churches. There re s bath. TILE ROOF. Beau- Cost $22.500. OPEN SUNDAY, 11 UNTIL DARK Reached via Conn. Ave.. one square east at Morrison St., left at Chevy Chase Parkway. THOS. J. FISHER & CO., INC. 738 15th St. N.W. REALTORS DIst. 6830 1 Left %6,750 $500 Cash $55 Mo. 6 MAN-SIZE ROOMS Exhibit Home—2802 Cameron Mills Road This new home in nearby Virginia offers the utmost in spacious- ness and environment. Extra large rooms, bedrooms, 12x16, 12x14.5, 12x10; living room, 12x18; full basement; air-conditioned oil heat; near 8-acre park and school. Just a few minutes’ easy drive from downtown. Small cash, balance less than rent. Built by George W. Offutt 3d. DIRECTIONS: Over Memortal ridge to 5. Arlington Ridge B turn left past our office to Russell Rd., bear right o gates of Jeflerson ; = 508 Woodland Jefferson Park, 'ark, follow markers to homes om the hilitop. Terrace Alexandria Just completed—these four good-looking homes—all different— have six and seven rooms, porches, roof decks, dens, full base- ments, garages, air and oil heat, slate roofs, steel sash, copper pipes, full insulation, and roomy wooded plots on g, hilltop. Jefferson Park is a neighborly community. Two bus lines with 10c fare to D. C.—a fine new school and on 8-acre park add to its desirability. Truly outstanding values in spacious homes. Directions. Cross Memorial Bridge and drive south on Arlington Ridge Rd. to Presidential Gardens Apt.; bear right to gates of Jeflerson Park, turn right to houses—12 minutes. 1227 S. OAKCREST RD.,AURA HILLS CHARAGTER — QUALITY — LOGATION $1,000 CASH—S75 PER MO. Here is your Iast chance to purchase a 3-bedroom, 2-bath character home on & 75-ft. lot at such a price, design, quality of construction ( RENTALS JACKSON 1865-1866