The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
First Aid For The Ailing Houses
Paste and liquid waxes containing volatile oils harmful to asphalt- or rubber-tiled floors should never be used on them, unless the manufacturer specifically guarantees safety for these materials. Varnish, because it contains oils, should not be used on asphalt or rubber.
Cork-tiled floors after years of service may become shabbylooking and worn. To improve the appearance of the tiles they should first be made smooth by scraping with a floor sanding machine. Coarse sandpaper should not be used on cork tiles, for it may gouge out the fine granules in the surface; a paper of medium coarseness should be used. When the floor is dusted, it can then be given a thin coat of synthetic-resin floor varnish or a floor sealer.
Vinyl or vinyl-asbestos tile should not be varnished or coated with any paint or lacquer. They may be cleaned with soap and water and may be waxed with a liquid wax. The best type of wax to use is one sold especially for vinyl tile, which is too dense for most waxes to adhere properly. (For information on the finishing and care of a concrete floor, see section on Finishing a Basement.)
REMOVING TILE
A very effective method of taking up tile is with dry ice. Ten pounds or so is placed on one small section, and allowed to remain for 10 or 15 minutes. The intense cold of the dry ice makes the tile and the adhesive underneath brittle enough so that the tile can be easily pried up with a putty knife. While the prying up is going on, the dry ice can be brushed along to the adjacent section. Be sure to wear heavy gloves; dry ice cannot be handled without them.
OUTSIDE FLOORS
A wood floor outdoors, such as an open porch, should be raised above the ground and have open space beneath for free ventilation. If enclosed, the under parts will rot. In usual construction, the floor boards are painted only on top, after being laid, with the result that cracks develop between them. Water collects in the cracks, soaks into the boards from the edges, and the paint loosens. Painting the boards all over before laying them will prevent the absorption of moisture, and the floor paint will last for longer periods. Aluminum paint is excellent for this, and for painting the under side of an already-built porch.
A porch floor should be repainted only in warm weather, and after a number of dry days for thorough drying on the under side. Cracks between the floor boards will then be widest and should be filled with white lead thinned with linseed oil, a crack filler, plastic wood, or something similar. Cracks too narrow to be filled should have linseed oil run into them. The floor should not be painted until the filler has dried.
