The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

First Aid For The Ailing Houses

Awning cloth that is fireproofed during manufacture can be had, but there is no fireproofing solution to be applied to finished awning cloth which will not be washed out by rain. (For the removal of mildew from awnings, see section on Mildew.)

Aluminum Awnings These have become popular, for they are almost immune to the elements, and they have an attractive appearance. Some are left the natural metal color, some are painted, and some are baked enamel. If painted or enameled awnings begin to chip or peel, or the paint chalks away, repaint with a special paint designed for use with aluminum. Ordinary paints will usually not form a firm bond with the aluminum.

Aluminum awnings (and screens) may be installed by the home owner, and a number of do-it-yourself kits are available with which standard lengths of material are supplied. With a hack saw and a screwdriver, the home owner may custom-make his own awnings to fit his windows. These types are quite inexpensive, and in some cases are as cheap as canvas awnings with steel frames. Aluminum awnings have the advantage that they do not have to be removed in the winter. Some types even fold up so they do not cut out the weak winter sun.

FLOOR CONSTRUCTION

THE STRENGTH of a floor in a residence is in the beams, also called "joists," which support the flooring. In breadth and thickness these should be calculated amply to support the load that will be placed on the floor. In good construction the beams are placed not more than 16 inches apart from center to center. When the length of the beams is greater than 8 feet, each beam should be braced against those next to it by pieces of wood or of nonrusting metal in the form of the letter X. These braces, called "bridging," prevent the beams from swaying and will spread a weight or a shock, as of a piano or a falling trunk, over the entire floor instead of concentrating it only on the beams beneath.

The beams are covered with rough boards forming the subfloor, preferably running diagonally for greater stiffness. These boards should be solidly nailed to the beams, boards of 6 inches and less in width and two nails to each beam, and wider boards with three nails to each beam. Nails are driven through the surfaces of the boards, preferably at an angle for greater holding strength.