Isn’t it amazing all the different areas in the house that leak air and can cost you energy dollars?  And one of the largest areas that leaks, is your fireplace, and most people don’t even think about it.  In your fireplace there is a damper to seal the air from being sucked right out of the house leaving you hot or cold.  Now the problem is that the damper always leaks and the older the fireplace – the more it leaks.  So my solution is to seal it.  So what do you seal it with?  Well you can use glass doors, but they are expensive and you always have to clean them.  And they kind of take away the look of a fireplace.  So the best thing to use is cardboard and gorilla tape.  But before you seal it up- let’s clean up the look of the inside of the firebox.  T.S.P. (tri sodium phosphate) can be found at any hardware store or paint store and is a very strong cleaner.  Mix up some TSP (use gloves) and hot water and clean the inside of the fireplace.  Rinse well with clear water.  Then you can paint with a flat black paint.  When it is dry you can measure the size of the chimney hole.  Then cut your cardboard to fit and attach it to the brick with Gorilla Tape.  And you won’t be losing $$ out the chimney when you turn on the AC unit.  And on top of that- your fireplace will look brand new for about $10. 

Would you like all Johnnie’s tips in one book?  “The Best of Johnnie Chuoke” is available on line at www.acmelumber.com and shop Johnnie’s favorites.

Now to the mailbag….

Question:  When our house was built several years ago the damper closed totally.  We had the house inspected and they adjusted the damper so that even when closed it is open about a 1⁄4 of an inch.  We get a constant draft from the fireplace.  Do we have to leave an opening?  That sounds like we are throwing out money right through the chimney. 

Answer:  It has to be opened when using the fire place.  The rest of the time, it should be closed.  And you are right- you would save money on your utility bill if it was closed tight.  I want to thank you for your question.  You are the reason for the lead article, and helping thousands of S. Texans to save money with the help of the great newspapers that carry this article.

Question:  Johnnie I have Formica tops in the kitchen and I am trying to find a product that would restore the shine.

Answer:  Formica has a melamine coating and after a while you just wear it out.  There is a product called Stone Polish (stonetechpro.com) that is the best product to get a little shine back.  It is also used on man made marble tops in bathrooms.  It will provide a nice luster to the cultured marble that cleaning can take away. 

Question:  Johnnie I want to clean my floor tile grout and seal it.  It was never sealed in this house that we bought 3 years ago.  And it looks pretty bad.  Getting it done professionally is way out of my budget, so I want to do it myself.  Can you help with some info?

Answer:  Not to worry, Stone Tech also has a grout cleaner called Restore.  Restore is the only product that will clean white and also colored grout without bleaching out the colored grout.  The grout Sealer is called Heavy Duty Grout Sealer by StoneTech also.  All the products needed cost about $35. 

Question:  Johnnie I love your column.  We live in a 7 year old home with white painted cabinetry.  The finish is starting to wear thin around the knobs.  Is there a product I can use to spiff them up a bit?  Thanks for the advice.

Answer:  This is way too early for paint to start showing wear and tear.  Here is what I would do.  First you are going to prime the cabinets with a product called Grip and Seal.  You don’t have to sand; this primer will grip the wood and be a perfect finish for the next coat of paint.  (if you feel that the wear on the area around the knobs will show through the paint you can lightly sand that area.  Then wipe down with a tact cloth to take care of any dust) Then use a product called Tough Walls.  It comes in a semi gloss and eggshell finish.  For a higher sheen, use the Rust Scat enamel.  They can all be mixed in the color of your choice.   Coronado paint products are available here is San Antonio, and in Houston.

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.