The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Care And Repair Of The House
To Replace Broken Mica.
The mica is usually held in place by metal clips screwed to the inside of the door. By removing these clips the broken pieces can be removed and new ones inserted. It may be possible to renew the mica without removing the clips by merely bending it and slipping the edges under the clips, but this method is not recommended, as there is danger of cracking or breaking the material. The openings requiring new mica should be measured and new pieces purchased at a hardware store to conform to the measurements. It may be necessary to trim the pieces slightly with a pair of scissors in order to fit them neatly into the openings.
How to Clean Mica.
Mica often becomes clouded or blackened by gases and soot, but it can be cleaned and made to look almost like new. Remove the doors by lifting out the hinge bolts, and then, with a damp cloth, wipe off all dust and as much soot as possible. Then saturate a cloth with vinegar and go over both sides of each piece. This will remove the stains and produce a polished appearance.
9. STORING THE STOVE AND STOVEPIPE FOR THE SUMMER
Many householders store their stoves during the summer months. Before placing them in storage, they should be cleaned and polished. If possible, they should be wrapped with newspaper, burlap, or old carpet to protect them from dust and rust, and stored in a dry place.
It is well to examine the grates and lining as soon as the stove is taken down and to have needed repairs made for the autumn. If parts are found to be defective, an order should be placed promptly for new parts. The make and number of the stove is usually marked on it, and these identifications should be reported to the hardware man, or dealer in heating equipment, when new parts are purchased.
Cleaning and Storing Stovepipe.
Stovepipes need cleaning often, especially if the draft is poor. Soot will collect in the pipe, particularly if soft coal is burned.
Before taking down the pipe, it is well to cover the floor about the stove with newspaper to catch whatever soot drops out. Carefully carry the pipe out of doors away from the house before removing the soot. The ends of the pipe should not be pounded nor should the pipe be otherwise roughly handled.
Stovepipe, as a rule, is made of sheet iron and should be kept enameled and polished to prevent rusting. When it is put away for the summer each length should be wrapped in paper and all should be stored in a dry place.
