If I could put a title to this article – it would be spring cleaning, but it’s not spring.  But none the less I have talked to more people about removing stains tobacco stains from walls and ceiling and also the odor that comes with a smoker.  TSP (tri sodium phosphate) is a great, super strong cleaner that is also inexpensive.  It looks like detergent, but it’s so much stronger than that.  Put a scoop in a gallon bucket of hot water (the hotter the better) and then put on gloves and start scrubbing.  It is also great for removing smoke stains around the fireplace.  My daughter used it for removing stubborn mud stains on her deck, so it’s pretty versatile.  If your ceiling is over 30 years old then you probably have popcorn acoustic ceiling and using TSP and water will remove it.  Put down plastic drop clothes over the floor and tape it to the walls about 8 inches from the floor.  Now spray the ceiling and let it sit for a bit and using a straight hoe go across the ceiling and remove the acoustic off the ceiling.  It will fall into the drop cloth and when you are done just fold up the drop cloth with all the acoustic ceiling inside.  No mess.    Now if you need to clean the carpet, the easiest one that I know of is Thermax.  Most rent for 25.00 a weekend and are very user friendly.  Now about the odor with the smokers- use the Bio-Zapp and spray all the carpet and drapes, well anything that is made from an absorbent fabric- it will completely kill the odor.  I have trusted Bio-Zapp for 20 years.  Then take the AC filters out and put in an Air Sponge and then put the filters in front. Turn the blower on and let it run for 2 hours.   This will filter all the air and the house will have a “clean” smell.  Follow these instructions and for very little money you will smell the difference. 

Now to the mail bag…..

Question:  Hi Johnnie, I set warming trays on my corian counter and it left long thin hairline fractures.  Is there anything I can put on this to completely close up the crack without having to replace the corian?

Answer:  I wish I had good news but I don’t.  Call the people that installed it and they can come and sand it down or replace the area that is broken. 

Question:  Johnnie we just bought a two story house this past summer and we were told that it had the foundation repaired and you can see the cement patches outside around the house that suggest this is true.  However we are noticing cracks in the flooring and around the wall of the first floor.  If they had just had the foundation repaired why are we having any problems?  Also, we thought the floors were marble, but we have had people tell us that they are in fact terrazzo.  What is that?  And how do we get it repaired?  And then after it’s repaired – how do we keep it clean and shiny?  

Answer:  Wow good question.  It’s time to check out the guarantee that came with the foundation repair.  Hopefully the warranty is for several year and you are still covered.  In S. Texas there are lots of terrazzo floors and you can have those cracks filled.  Terrazo is a great floor.  Infact I have had several, and like marble if the foundation moves the floor will crack.  Terrazo is probably the easiest to fix, but it’s not a DIY thing.  Look in the phone book and call several installers.  Ask for references and call.  Don’t pick one just because he is the cheapest.  After the floor is fix keeping it clean and shiny is so easy.  Quick Shine is made by Holloway House and is a polymer finish that never needs stripping.  It never yellows and it’s not slick on the floor.  Holloway House also makes a neutral floor cleaner called No Bucket that you don’t even have to rinse.  Just use there micro fiber mop to apply the No Bucket and then change the mop pads and put on the Quick Shine.  You can put on as many coats as you want.  Let it dry between coats about 20 minutes.  The shine will last 6 months.  

Got a question for Johnnie? Tune in to Johnnie's radio show Saturday mornings on KTSA (5500 AM) from 9-11 or call 828-8907. Reach him on the web at www.AcmeLumber.com.