Evening star. [volume], August 10, 1940, Page B-3, Image 19

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
First Aid
For the
Ailing House
By ROGER B. WHITMAN.
Question: The ground in lront
of our new house is 15 feet wide and
has a drop of 15 feet, with a ter
race in the middle. The ground
around the house slopes toward the
front, and as a result, rain washes
the dirt to the sidewalk. Would a
blind ditch along the top help to
prevent this? Would a rock garden
on the slope hold the earth in
place? What should be done before
seeding this area?
Answer: A blind ditch along the
top would help. But the best
move would be to cover the area
with a heavy sod. Seed would be
washed out before it would have
time to grow But the sod would not
wash, and it would hold the earth
in place. A rock garden against the
bank would be attractive, and would
save much difficult grass cutting.
Priming Coat.
Q. We are going to remove the
wallpaper in one of our rooms and
paint the walls. What is the best
priming coat for plaster?
A. Thin the paint that you
will use with one-eighth as much
linseed oil; that is, a pint.ro the gal
lon. Allow plenty of time tor drying.
Sandy Cement Floor
Q. What can I use on a poor
quality sandy cement floor in my
cellar? Is there any particular
paint that would help to bind the
floor or to keep it from becoming
dusty?
A. If the floor is in very poor
condition, a topping coat of ce
ment, about an inch and a half to
two inches thick, might be advisable.
Slight sandiness in a cement can be
overcome by painting the floor with
a synthetic resin or rubber base
paint, or by treating it with a solu
tion of one part watergiass and
four parts of water. Mop on gener
ously. soaking the floor very thor
oughly. Repeat the treatment after
a day or two. Paint cannot be ap
plied over a cement floor treated
with watergiass.
l anvas liume Bag.
Q. I am making duffle bags
of canvas. What is the best thing
to use to waterproof them?
A. Brush the canvas with a
solution of 1 pound of shaved par
affin in a gallon of clear gasoline.
The fabric should be stretched when
applying the solution. To avid fire
risk, do the work outside on a cool,
cloudy day.
Paint for Cement Stucco.
Q. Mv house is cement stucco,
17 years old, in good condition
except for being faded, streaked
and dirty. Several painting con
tractors have offered a variety of ad
vice and materials. What is your
advice?
A. Portland cement stucco, never
coated before with an oil paint,
can best be finished with a ce
ment composition paint. This
paint comes in powder form and is
to be mixed with water. This mate
rial. being made with a Portland
cement base, makes a very satisfac
tory finish for cement stucco sur
faces.
Squeaky Faucets.
Q. Can you suggest a remedy for
aqueaky faucets? They squeak when
turned on or off.
A. The packing under the cap
nut, through which the stem goes
down to the faucet, is probably
worn. You can get a replacement at
your local plumbing shop. As a sub
stitute, wind the st jm under the cap
with candle wick.ng smeared with
hard grease or 'oaked in paraffin.
House Without a Cellar.
Q. I am planning to build an all
year house in hilliy country. As
economy is necessary, I am won
dering if, from the standpoint of
comfort, it will be absolutely es
sential to excavate for a cellar. I
am told that a good many houses are
built nowadays without cellars.
A. Many small houses are now
being built without cellars. They
can be made comfortable if the
concrete floors ai e insulated. This
is done by mop- ing a coating of
liquid tar or asphalt over the rough
concrete, then patting down sheets
of rigid insulating board, followed by
another coating of tar or asphalt;
a concrete floor finish is then put
down over the insulation.
Waxing Furniture.
Q. I want to wax all my wood
furniture, which was waxed about
six months ago. Must all traces of
former wax first be removed? Is it
wise to wax furniture in hot'weath
er, or is it better to wait until fall?
A. If the wax coating is very thick
it can be taken off by wiping with
turpentine; otherwise, it can re
main. Before waxing rub the old
wax well with cheesecloth: you may
find that enough of it remains to
make further waxing unnecessary.
In hot weather, paste floor wax is
softer than in cold weather, and
It goes on more easily. Otherwise,
there is no difference.
Floors in Old Farmhouse.
Q. I am buying an old farmhouse
built in 1771, in A-l condition ex
cept for the floors in two of the
rooms. The old, wide boards have
been painted over and over again
with a hideous red paint. The owner
fears they won't stand being scraped
down to the original planks. Is there
any solution that would take off this
pairit?
' A. If the planks are of sound wood
I see no reason why you cannot
scrape the floors. Or you could .re
move the paint with a paint-remover
solution; for instance, a mixture of 3
pounds of trisodium phosphate in a
gallon of hot water. After the
paint has been removed, rinse with
clear water. When the floor is thor
oughly dry, smooth the surface by
rubbing with sandpaper. Wipe off
all dust and finish as you desire.
Finish for Log Cabin.
Q. I have bought a log cabin
which is about three years old. The
logs were treated with oil but now
need further treatment. I have been
Cresttvood
On* of the finest wooded residential
districts lying nearest to the heart of
Washington, bordering the cool, scenic
stretches of Rock Creek Park.
In this lovely subdivision at 1731 Shep
herd St. N.W., just 1 blogjc west of
16th St, we present a fine new 7-room
home with many extra features at only
817,950
Designed by LOUIS R. M08S
Built by EDWARD A HYDE
Burnished by HILDA N. MILLER
jjuS' Edmond J. Flynn m*
fN SILVER STAR HOME—A view of the attractive recreation room in the current Silver Star
home, located at 57 Falkland drive, Seven Oaks, Silver Spring, Md. This new home was built by
the M. E. Hyman Construction Co., and has been decorated and furnished by John Ligon and
Hutchison’s, Inc. —Photo by John Mueller, Star Staff.
told that a coat of linseed oil is
required? Is this right, and how
should it be applied?
A. Two or three soaking coats of a
half-and-half mixture of raw lin
seed oil and turpentine could oe
used or a coat of creosote shingle
stain. The latter may make the
walls darker. In putting on the
linseed oil mixture, brush it on lib
erally, allow it to soak for an hour
or so and then wipe off the excess.
Repeat the treatment in 24 hours.
If the logs have not absorbed much
of the second coat, you, will not need
to put on a third.
Rules Given for Control
Of Poison Ivy
Poison ivy can be a serious menace
to the suburban home owner and
its removal may constitute a definite
home improvement—especially if the
members of the family are sensitive
to the plant. Some general sug
gestions on poison ivy control follow:
1. Grubbing up the root is the
surest way to get rid of poison ivy,
but people who are not immune
should take precautions to protect
themselves before undertaking the
job. •
2. Poison of the plants is trans
mitted to anything that is touched:
Clothes, gloves, shoes, tools, etc.
3. Vines that are cut off from the
roots and remain clinging to a tree
or fence retain their poisonous
quality.
4. Leaves and green shoots of the
plant can be shriveled by a strong
solution of rock salt in water with
soap added. This solution, how
ever, will kill other vegetation.
5. Care should be exercised in
burning brush containing poison ivy
leaves or vines, as the smoke fumes
may poison sensitive persons.
6. Poison ivy is poisonous through
out the entire year.
Waste Space Utilized
With the increased popularity of
home entertaining, many families
are converting waste space, such as
that in attics and basements, into
recreation rooms or second living
rooms. Such rooms can be installed
economically by building walls and
ceilings of insulating board, a pre
decorated material.
9111
CROSBY ROAD
Woodside, Md.
A charming home of unusual de
sign ond fine equipment, with every
detail beautifully finished.
The first floor contains studio liv
ing room with stone fireplace, din
ing room, bedroom and bath,and
exceptionally fine kitchen with
breakfast nook. Second floor has
3 rooms ond bath—extra lorge
paneled recreation room and full
bath in basement. Lorge level lot.
Louie D. Keller. Builder
To reach: Oat Georgia Ate. (Dior)
block) to Highland Drive, right
two blocks to Crosbv Rd. and house.
Open Daily
Wm. M. Throckmorton
Realtor
Investment Bide. DI. 6093
Building
(Continued From First Page.)
one-family dwellings, 6 per cent In
two-family dwellings and 15 per
cent in apartment houses. During
the first half of 1939, 74 per cent of
the new dwelling units were pro
vided in one-family dwellings, 5
per cent in two-family dwe^ings
and 21 per cent in apartment
houses.
Building permits in cities having
a population of over 100.000 con
tinue to show projects under the
jurisdiction of the U. S. H. A. as a
much larger percentage of all public
housing than the corresponding per
centage for private housing. Dur
ing the first half of 1939 35 per cent
of all dwelling units provided by
private funds were in cities having
a population of 100,000 or over,
while 85 per cent of the U. S. H. A.
dwelling units were in this popula
tion group. In the first half of
1940 only 32 per cent of the dwelling
units financed from private funds
were in cities having more than
100,000 population, while U. S. H. A.
projects in these cities accounted
for 77 per cent of the total number
provided for by U. S. H. A.
More in Pacific States.
All geographic divisions except
the Middle Atlantic showed in
creases in the number of dwelling
units provided, comparing the first
half of the current year with the
corresponding period of 1939. The
decrease in the Middle Atlantic
States wras caused by 'the large de
cline in the number of dwelling
units provided in apartment houses.
The most important gains in the
Residence for a Family
of Refined
T«<«
4324 WARREN ST. N.W.
The last home remaining in a 1
group of 12 ... an authentic
Colonial center-hall design ...
three large bedrooms and two
beautiful tiled baths . . . study
lined with book shelves and ad
joining first-floor lavatory . . .
pine paneled clubroom with fire
place . . . Finished third floor
. . . 2-car built-in garage . . .
maid’s room and bath. A home
of character in a perfect envi
ronment . .. and very invitingly
priced.
Furnished hy P. J. NEE CO.
OTHER HOMES UNDER
CONSTRUCTION
From $13,150 Up
Out Massachusetts Avenue to
Nebraska Avenue, right on Ne
braska Avenue to ^2nd. turn
left on hind Street to Warren
Street.
JUST COMPLETED
Woodridge Heights
(A part of the Franciscan Monastery Grounds)
3918 17th PLACE N.E.
An unusual home of 9 rooms, 2 baths, 2 bedrooms and bath
on first floor; 2 bedrooms, dressing room, and bath on second
floor. Beautiful recreation room with fireplace. Lot 67Vi
feet frontage. Exceptionally priced. Five other houses cff
3 and 4 bedrooms nearing completion.
Open Daily and Sunday
Out Rhode Island Ave. to ISth St. N.E., left on
ISth to Randolph, left to 17th and property.
LOUIS H. HALL
Realtor-Builder
2125 Rhode Island Ave. ~HO. 6020
number of dwelling units provided
occurred in the South Atlantic
States, the East North Central
States and the Pacific States.
The number of dwelling units pro
vided through private financing was
higher in the Pacific States than in
any other geographic division. The
South Atlantic provided the second
highest number of dwelling units,
followed in order by the East North
Central and Middle Atlantic States.
Dwelling units provided through
U. S. H. A. financing in the first
half of 1940 were highest in the
South Atlantic States. The Middle
Atlantic States ranked second and
the West South Central States third.
Competent Planning
Of Home Eliminates
Potent Heartaches
Booklet Is Offered to
Remind Prospective
Builders of Details
The ultimate satisfaction of every
home-building family is predeter
mined by their ability to recognize
their problems of personal plan
ning and then to solve them.
The architectural man can fromu
late a family’s home requirements
in a set of plans and specifica
tions but the completness of his
work is dependent entirely upon the
family’s individual expressions ot
details to be built into the house.
True, he often saves the day by dis
covering and correcting the most
noticeable omissions, or drawing on
his experiences for worth-while sug
gestions. However, his only-human
facilities cannot pry loose unex
pressed and entirely personal ideas.
Disappointment Follows.
The obvious consequence of loose
planning is disappointment. Then
the home owner has to choose be
tween resigning himself to accept
ing the situation or making costly
changes to secure the convenience
of otherwise economical features.
The latter is always a "bitter dose.”
Ironically, the home-planning
family is not responsible for the
unfortunate situation revolving
around them. They aren’t trained
for such a highly specialized job
as doing the part of home planning
that is required of them. It is
probably their first and last experi
ence of that kind. Some can think
only about the house-to-be in the
broadest terms, devoid of details;
others consider every little detail
that comes to their attention, down
to the design on the hinges for
the kitchen cabinets. But, after all
there still remains the question,
“Have we thought of everything?”
They/ don’t know and probably won’t
know until after the house warming.
Summed Up in Study.
A scientific study of the planning
difficulties confronting families who
EAST ROCKVILLE
Crabb Are. and Horner's Lane $3,950
8l/t Miltt D. C.—$300 Caah $35.00 Monthly
S rooms, finished attic, modern bath, cabinet sink, kitchen cabinets, house
‘£4x36 ft. I lot 30x700 ft.» built-in xarare. Ideal pipeless furnace, dry cellar.
H. L. ENGLAND
4415 Maple Aye., Befhe.de, Md. Wise. 5731
Distinctive New Homes in
Exclusive Barnaby Woods
Exhibit Horn*
3155 Tennyson St.
Chevy Chase, D. C.
TO REACH
Connecticut Avenue to Chew
Chute Circle, right on Western
Avenue te Tennyson, turn right
on Tennreen to boueee.
OPEN 2 te 8 P.M.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
$13,500 & $14,950
There’s distinction in every line
of these superb homes in a de
lightful wooded setting ... 6
rooms. 2 baths, 1st floor lavatory,
screened porch, brick garage.
Large shade trees in rear yard.
Automatic gas heat, furred walls,
Venetian blinds, weather-stripped
and screened throughout!
WAGGAMAN-BRAWNER REALTY CORP.
1700 Eya St. N.W. OWNER 0 BUILDERS MEtra. 3800
6124 WESTERN AVENUE, CHEVY CHASE
(Between Rittenhouse St. and Broad Branch Road)
First Exhibit Home of Thu New Group—
BUILT BY FRANK DUBOSE PHILLIPS
Excellent location—three blocks from Chevy Chose Circle—close
to Parochial and Public Schools—lots 70x120 sodded dPid landscaped.
Unusually large dining room—den with toilet and lavatory—screened
double size living porch—finished third floor—paneled club room—
breakfast nook—separate laundry and furnace room—copper gutters
and downspouts—oir conditioned.
• (QUIPPED .M
;.j|f
JS§^‘
S2J All tONOIJIONIH*
OPEN TODAY AND SUNDAY
OPEN AND LIGHTED EACH
WEEK DAY EVENING
Chevy Chase,
D. C.
™>JONISSfr@K
^V^L.OREM Jrprm!
t
WOodley
2300
want to build their own homes con
cluded in a 36-page self-inventory
and analysis method, titled "Guide
to Home Planning.” It was intro
duced last week in Horse Owners’
Catalogues, a publication of P. W.
Dodge Corp. The guide Was com
piled by Elliott Taylor, home .
search specialist. It brings out a
family’s requirements, first as a
group and then as individuals, for
the reference of the architectural
man who will formulate their plans
and specifications.
A psecaution against forgetting
features is provided by the guide's
second check list. It is designed
for use with the sketches of the
architectural plans.
Copies of "Guide to Home Plan
ning," combined with Home Owners’
Catalogues, are available to readers
of The Evening Star who are plan
ning to build their own homes in
this area within 12 months, at costs
PRE-SHOWING
Two New Homes
Corner Military Road
and 31st St, N.W.
6 large rooms—wide center en
trance. Library, lavatory, huge
living room, end porch. 3 bed
reams, 2 baths, finished attic room,
recreation room and bath, oil air
conditioned, built-in garage. Con
venient to transportation, schools
and shopping.
Open Today, Sunday eft Daily
F. A. TWEED CO.
907 15th St. EM. 7155
of $4,000 or more, exclusive of the
land purchases. It will be sent
postpaid and without cost or other
obligation to those who qualify.
Applications may be addressed to
the publishers, F. W. Dodge Corp.,
Philadelphia.
White Rug, Black Floor
Outstanding in a New York show
ing of styles for floor decoration
was the dramatic contrast of a white
fringed rug spread under a dining
table on a black-painted floor.
*650
DOWN
3 Bedrooms
All Brick
Detached
Open 'Til IO.P.M.
Sun. and all Week
Drive out Wilson Blvd.
(Va.) past Glebe Road to
Albemarle St., turn left to
homes.
5 Sold!
Albert H. Cohen
1042 N. Irving St.
Art., Va. Chcs. 1661
Only 15 minutes to Washington on
10c bus. The best value in the
moderate price home.
18-ft. Liv. Rooms
Large Porches
Complete
Kitchens
F. 0. A. Approved
86,250
5-RM. ALL-BRICK BUNGALOWS,
NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION,
AT $5,850 — 10°o DOWN
100 Homes
Already
Sold!
FH* FINANCING
38
Sold
in duly
•M MONTH
y. s ' •*
You'll find tody's outstanding detached home value In this new restrict#
. ^ociotts rooms—oir conditioned—60-foot
rots—Celotex "Safety Seated" construction. Amt the location is superb-just
Wmmtttt «osy Arise from Lincoln Memorial, on a beautifully wooded tract
on the south side at new Lee Boulevard 10c bus fore.
4783JEW
L BLVB.
TO REACH:
Over Memorial Bridge
and out New Lee
Boulevard % of a mile
beyond traffic light at
Glebe Boad. Arlington
Forest Is on New Lee
Boulevard.
Designed, Built
and Sold by
Meadowbrook
INC.
Monroe Warren, Pres.
FIVE NEW JACOBSON-BUILT HOMES
4b601 rolling road
Rollingwood $12,500
A superb home near Bock Creek Park . . .
3 bedrooms. 2 baths, oil heat, air-conditioned
. . . Large wooded lot.
Out Conn. Are. to E. Leland St., right on E.
Leland to Rolling Rd., left on Rolling Rd. to
home.
602 EAST WOODBINE ST.a^
Rollingwood $11,500
Four bedrooms. 2 baths, oil heat, air-eondi
tioned. larre wooded lot.
Out Conn. Are. to E. Leland St., rifht on E.
Leland to E. Woodbine.
<■2956 DAVENPORT STREET
Rollingwood 917,950
Just east ef Conn. Ave. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths,
first-floor lavatory, automatic oil air-condition
ing. 2-car built-in garage. Large finished attic.
Out Conn. Ave. to Davenport St., right on
Davenport to home.
1646 PRIMROSE ST. N.W.^
Upper 16th St. Section $12,500
Three large bedrooms and 2 baths. Finished
playroom on third floor. Oil air-conditioned.
Built-in garage.
Out 16th St. to Primrose 8t.. turn left to home.
^■7606 16th STREET N.W.
$20,500
A home distincuished hr its ultramodern
appointments and spaciousness. 3 bedrooms,
2 baths, recreation room, maid’s room and
bath, air-conditioned oil heat. 2-car detached
carafe.
JACOBSON BRO$.-i#l"to"
1612 K Street N.W. District 2126