Well the calendar is saying that winter is almost over.  And I want to tell you about a product that is wonderful for those of us who spend time at the lake all summer long.  Do you have rafts and floats that develop small leaks?  Need a quick fix so that the spring and summer fun can continue?  Gorilla Glue makes a duct tape now called appropriately “Gorilla Tape”.  And you can find it anywhere that you find Gorilla Glue.  And let me tell you that this tape means business!  So once you put it down, it’s there to stay.  For those of us that have fireplaces and still using them this tip is for you.  You need to remove creosote that builds up on your fireplace because it is combustible.  Use a product called “Kwik Shot”.  Just toss it in on the fire and it cleans the fireplace all the while giving you a colorful show.  And “Kwik Shot” costs only $1.50 and it’s made by Rutland.  You can look on the internet at www.rutland.com and put in your zip for the closest dealer.  They make a bunch of fireplace products so it’s a great site.

Now to the mailbag….

Question:  Johnnie I have a garage which is 35 years old.  For the last 8 years I have noticed effloresce which is white stuff coming up from the floor at cracks near the periphery of the garage and a few places near the center of the garage.  It is more prominent after rains though the water properly drains away from the garage.  I have applied one part epoxy garage floor paint a couple of times and after pressure cleaning and drying the floor it still remains.  Do I have to live with this? 

Answer:  That effloresce is moisture from the slab.  There either is no moisture barrier (plastic) or the plastic has pin holes in it from the contractor walking on the rebar before they poured the slab.  You need to remove the epoxy and get back down to just the concrete.  There are no products that can stop hydrostatic pressure that I know of.  But I am going to a show this weekend and will certainly check it out.  I will mention it in this article.

Question:  I have a glass storm door where the water from the sprinkler hit the door and it has left calcium deposits on the glass door.  I have used vinegar and tried scraping the door with a blade and it’s still not clean.  After cleaning I want to put WD40 on it to keep the glass clean.  Can you help?

Answer:  We talk about Delete Germ (www.acmelumber.com) and all the things that it can do.  It will remove the lime deposits on the door and make it look polished.  Wear rubber gloves and use a sponge to clean the glass.  Work in small area at a time and don’t walk away to use the phone- because Delete Germ is a mild acid and will etch your glass if you are not careful.  Rinse the area after cleaning and move to the next area.  Delete Germ is great to use in a toilet to remove stains, and calcium.  It keeps your toilet running smoothly when you put it in the overflow tube in the tank.  Don’t use the WD40- it will just attract dirt because it’s oil.

Question:  Johnnie I need your advice on how to restore marble floors.  I moved in a house with marble in a living/dining room and in the traffic areas it’s not shiny anymore. 

Answer:  The product to use is called “Quick Shine” (www.acmelumber.com) It’s wonderful for wood, marble, granite, tile, well just about anything.  Just put on a few coats for a shine that will knock your socks off.  I did my dining room floor in 10 minutes about a year ago and it still looks like I just did it.  Get the mop that Holloway House makes also.

Question:  A week ago you mentioned to clean decks and other things with that had 3 letters.  What was that again?

Answer:  EZ Deck wash.  Most Ace Hardware stores can get it.

Question:  Johnnie I live in a 2 story home and our bathroom downstairs the hot water from the faucet just barely trickles out, but the cold water is fine.  What is the deal?

Answer:  I’m sure it’s just the faucet.  Shut off the cut off under the sink and take the faucet off.  Clean it by taking it apart.  Next just crack the cut off a little and see what comes out- this is a job that anyone can do.  Good question!     

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.