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

First Aid For The Ailing Houses

Efflorescence will usually disappear with time as the deposit is washed off by rain. Scrubbing with a wire brush will remove much of it. The usual remedy is washing with a solution of one part of muriatic (hydrochloric) acid in 20 parts of water, that is, in the proportion of 1 pint of acid to 10 quarts of water. In making the mixture, the acid should be poured slowly into the water with constant stirring to avoid spattering. Never pour water into acid! As the acid is very corrosive, old clothes and rubber gloves should be worn, and goggles are advisable.

With a fiber brush, the deposit is scrubbed with the acid solution; after not more than 2 or 3 minutes, the acid should be flushed off with plenty of clear water; in outside work, a hose should be used. Should the acid be allowed to remain, mortar, concrete, and stucco will be attacked and pitted. All traces of the acid can be removed by washing with a solution of 1 pint of ammonia in 2 gallons of water.

Interior Masonry The most common types of masonry found indoors are brick fireplaces, concrete basement walls and floors, and cinder or concrete block walls. The paints to use on these are available at all paint and hardware stores.

Flat interior paint, either oil or water-emulsion, may be used for masonry walls in the same manner as it is applied to plaster walls. Since concrete and other masonry are usually quite rough, use a sturdy wall brush that is made for masonry painting. These brushes are less expensive than large brushes used for the smooth-interior plaster walls, and do as good a job-

For concrete floors, regular deck enamel may be used, or one of the new chlorinated rubber enamels, made especially for concrete floors. If the area is damp during the winter, an epoxy resin coating may be applied, and this will help seal «the surface of the concrete against moisture penetration.

For uneven and rough cinder block or concrete block, a portland-cement paint may be used. Thick and pasty, it will fill most of the irregularities, and may even be troweled to smoothness before it sets.

A number of compounds are sold for waterproofing basements. Most of them provide a fairly adequate seal against moisture, and will keep the area dry if the moisture is not due to a rise in the water table and substantially increased pressure of below-grade water. Some of the so-called "water-proofing" compounds fail this test. They do, however, have a purpose, and will serve as a paint covering for the basement that is only moist from absorption contact with the damp ground.