Every once in a while, I like to share over a 3 week period what I call a “Survival Kit”.  This list includes all of the products I write about frequently and I feel that every home should have.  You can find most of these products at a home center, or a hardware store but I will include the website, if they have one, so that you can look them up.  
 
Air Sponge:  used to absorb odors quickly and easily, www.naturesairsponge.com
All Gleam/Superior Shield:  use to clean and polish stainless steel as well as copper and brass.  
Bio-Zapp- Used to get rid of strong odors such as smoke and pet odors, www.biozapp.com
Clean Crete – use to clean concrete driveways, garages, patios and masonry.  Removes grease, dirt, tire tracks, rust stains, mold, grime and bird droppings.
Clean Line- use to unstop commodes and washing machine drains. 
Copper Sulfate - use to get rid of tree roots in sewer lines. 
De- Solve-It – removes silicone caulks, grease, bumper stickers and rub decals www.orange-sol.com
Delete Germ - use to clean and disinfect commodes. 
Dishwasher and Washing Machine Magic - Cleans both  
OK, well that’s the first part, now to the e-mail…..  
 
Question:  The floor in my powder room is made of marble and it is stained.  How do I remove the stains?
Answer:  Stone Tech makes a product to clean call Klens All Heavy Duty Cleaner, www.stonetechprofessional.com
 
Question:  Glad to see you in our local newspaper again – hey when I googled Air Sponge, I got a couple of different Air Sponges, which one do you recommend?
Answer:  Use the Nature’s Air Sponge (see web site above).
 
Question:  Hey Johnnie! I have a roof that some of the shingles have discolored (mildew) and I want to get them back to the original color that they were.  I am not asking for perfection just close.  Any ideas?
Answer:  The name of the product is called Jomax (www.zinsser.com).  The formula is 1 pt Jomax, 3 pts Clorox, in a 2 gal. pump up sprayer filled the rest of the way with water.  Spray it on, and rinse with clear water.  
 
Question:  I would like to paint some 40 plus year old asbestos siding.  What would be the best type of paint to use?
Answer:  You should paint asbestos siding with a paint called Coronado Crylicote or a good acrylic paint.  
 
Question:  I read your article about using a product called safe solutions to clean concrete.  I have paint from a spill on my concrete in the garage I am trying to remove.  Do you recommend it for the spill?  Also I have air coming through the seam of doors between door jam and door in my house.  How do I tighten the seal to prevent losing my AC?
Answer:  The product to use is not Safe Solutions, but another product called Soy Gel.  It removes paint better than anything I have every used.  It is non toxic, and I love that part.  And for the door, use a weather strip product called V-Flex.  MD makes a good one.
 
Question:  We are leaving our home during the summer for 2 months.  Last year we did and the AC unit froze up and ran continuously while we were gone.  The question is should we just turn the unit off?  The humidity is terrible in Houston; would it harm the house if the AC is not on?
Answer:  Leave the unit on, but set it on 85 degrees.  Make sure you have a new clean filter in.  Use a pleated filter rated Merv 7 or 8 and you will be fine.  
 
Question:  My question is how do I seal up the nail or screw holes in our metal roof over the patio.  When it rains, it leaks – help.
Answer:  The product is called Through the Roof.  It comes in a caulking tube, quart, and gallon.  Use the gallon and brush it on over the roof, it will last for 10 years

Got a question for Johnnie? Tune in to Johnnie's radio show Saturday mornings on KKYX from 11-12 or call (21) 341-1573. Reach him on the web at www.AcmeLumber.com.