It’s a wonderful time of the year.  The weather is pleasant, we open our windows and thoughts of high energy bills are far from our minds.  But way too soon, (hey it’s south Texas) the weather will change and we will be looking at a heating bill that could be through the roof.  So let me tell you some truths about energy saving.  Windows are 46% of the energy bill, heating and cooling DUCTS are 22%, and roof and walls are 17% so where do you want to spend your dollars when trying to lower your energy bill?  The ones that make the most difference, right?  Are your windows the ones that were installed with the house 35 years ago?  Maybe it’s time to invest in new ones.  Check out the lumber yards near you and buy a better built window.  One that is vinyl has a warranty on the glass that is coated with a soft low E and argon gas.  We sell one like that made by M.I. that sells for $148, and its warranty is 20 years.  The vinyl frame will not transfer heat like a metal frame; the low E coating reflects the heat to the outside in the summer but still lets the light in.  Next check your heating and cooling ducts.  Are there any holes in them letting your expensive cooled air into the attic( maybe that’s why those squirrels are up there)- one time that happened to me- I thought wow- what a cool roof the  attic isn’t even hot- no there was this huge hole in the duct work that I was paying dearly for.  Hey but the Christmas decorations were cool.  So I had it fixed, and I promise I saw a difference in the utility bill the next month.  Now after you decide on a window the next thing is who installs it?  That’s big, so do some research.  Call you local lumber yard or the place where you bought the windows- ask them for references and check them out.  Get at least 3 bids on the work.  Don’t pay everything up front, and buy the windows yourself.  To give you an idea on what to pay, we have installers that will put in a window for 150 a piece- you should be able to get that in your area.  If you can’t replace all the windows at once, start with the west side of the house first- and then check out the utility bill after they are installed.  You might want to invest in the rest of the house.  You want more info, go to www.mihp.com and check out the website.  They have a locator on the website so you can find a dealer close to you.  In San Antonio and Lockhart- that’s us Acme Lumber – your hometown dealer.  Now, don’t you feel smart?  

Now to the e-mail….

Question:  Johnnie I have a Thermocast sink that has a hole in it.  I don’t know if it was chipped or burned.  Is there any way to fix it?  The chip is about the size of a pea.  Thanks

Answer:  Fill the chip with something clear, like Plumbers Goop- I know strange name.  But it works.  It was invented by a tennis player whose tennis shoes started coming apart about the time he really got them broke in.  

Question:  We have what some people call a Florida Room or sun room with Mexican Saltillo tile flooring.  The tile is looking old and worn and several tiles are discolored. Any suggestion?

Answer:  Sure – first wash the tile with a good cleaner- it doesn’t have to be expensive you just want to make sure you are working with a clean surface.  Rinse with clear water.  Now you use a product called Patio and Stone Sealer from McCloskey.  You can roll it on, it will go fast.  As soon as you start you will see the difference that the sealer will make.  The color will be vibrant again.  My house at the lake got flooded and the whole house was Saltillo tile- well even after we cleaned up the tile just looked awful.  So we sealed it with the McCloskey and it looked better than when I bought the house.  Now McCloskey is owned by Valspar and they have a website www.valspar.com and you can find the dealer close to you.  

Question:  I am having a problem with crocks in the concrete in my garage.  I want to seal these cracks to stop water seeping from underneath after a heavy rain and with winter coming on and more water in the garage.  This is not a new house; it’s about 50 years old.  Thanks and I truly enjoy reading your article.

Answer:  Nothing works better than a product called Rockite.  It’s a dry powder that you pour into the cracks and then take a damp sponge and tap the top of the powder.  It has a concrete bonder and it will expand and seal the concrete.  It will be the same color, and it won’t pop out.  Go to www.rockite.com and find the dealer near you or check out our website www.acmelumber.com and shop Johnnie’s favorites.    

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.