Lead Paint - Reducing Your Family's Risk
We're looking at historic homes for sale in our area with the intent of eventually purchasing one. We've done a lot of the work on our current home (1960s cape) and feel confident that we can handle most challenges in an older model. Since we ... [... more]
Old House Web |
Brick Houses and Vapor Barriers
Since you're adding insulation, I'll assume that you're in a climate that has cold weather part of the year and that you will be heating the building. In these climates, the vapor barrier of faced insulation is installed toward the heated ... [... more]
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Brick Houses
It's a common misconception that painting brick houses is a 20th century aberration. Some historic brick houses were painted very early on in their lives. Then, as now, there were several reasons for painting brick: To conceal alterations, like ... [... more]
Old House Web |
Caulk and Moisture
Caulk can seal minor gaps to help keep rain and wind out, but it should not There's no single answer to your first question because building methods have varied so widely over the years. Many of the building materials we take for granted are ... [... more]
Old House Web |
Painting a Radiator
If there's no compelling reason to move the radiator, you've got the right idea -- paint it right where it sits. Moving several hundred pounds of cast iron isn't much fun, risking scarred floors as well as a very sore back. There are a variety of ... [... more]
Old House Web |
Curing paint failure problems on old walls
In a nutshell, something is interfering with the bond between the plaster and the paint. And by now, old house enthusiasts who have experienced similar problems will be grumbling "calcimine." This mixture of whiting (crushed chalk), glue and ... [... more]
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Lead in Historic Paints
If a "historic" place is broadlydefined in terms of time as having attained an age of fifty years, thismeans that almost every historic house contains some lead-based paint.In its deteriorated form, it produces paint chips and lead-laden dust .. [... more]
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Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork & Siding
Purposes of exterior paint Treating paint problems Justification for paint removal Paint removal precautions Repainting historic buildings for cosmetic reasons Conditions/Recommended treatments Selecting the safest method to remove paint General ... [... more]
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Lead Contamination in the Home
Lead from different sources such as from lead-based paint, gasoline,and solder may enter the body through air, food, water, dust, andsoil. Lead poisoning is a threat, especially to young children. Forpreschool children the most widespread and ... [... more]
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Fighting Mildew
Q: What's a good way to remove mildew from outdoor surfaces? It'sgrowing on our porch ceiling and on our side of a neighbor's woodenfence. A: Bleach water might work, but I would go ahead and make a strongercleaning solution so the job gets done ... [... more]
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Whitewash Recipe
I'm searching for a source of whitewash, or a recipe for making whitewash.Can you help? -- Barbara At its simplest, whitewash is nothingmore than a thin liquid plaster made from slaked lime and water. But according to some of the books on my ... [... more]
Old House Web |
Paint problems?
Outside moisture such as rain and dew can penetrate a paint coat and result incracking, peeling, discoloration and premature paint failure. These problems may be observed in both heated and unheated buildings, are morepronounced on edges and ends ... [... more]
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