David Combs wrote:

Our basement boiler-room (steam-heat, water-heater, other heater,
all gas) has, up high, a window looking out into a grate-covered
pit. (Grate at ground-level.)

For safety from CO, we keep the window open a few inches,
always, allowing boiler-updraft to drag in fresh air.

Problem: leaves (southern Westchester county) and then
snow, potentially 100% covering the grate, dangerously.

What to put over the grate to keep leaves and snow
away from it.

Used to have ugly office-chair rug-protector draped over
it. Recently the boss (of this house) tossed it out,
calling it UGLY. (Well, yes, it was -- but it added
safety.)

Happens that six months ago I (surrepticiously) retrieved from our garbage
some old half-inch pieces of plywood.

My idea is to use one of them to lay one of them across near-grate concrete-blocks,
to return the room to a "safe" condition.

To avoid instant UGLY!-judgement, maybe painting it dark-green
would help.

QUESTION: how to weatherproof it?

What kind of paint, primer, brands, number of coats,
etc?


THANKS!


David




By covering the grate with plywood, are you not defeating the purpose of
the grate? Size and
location would help ..... does it have to be at ground level for foot
traffic or in driveway?