Everyone who owns a home some time in there life buys a water heater.  Years ago there were a lot of water heater manufacturers.  And when you look at the big stores like Sears, Depot, Lowes you would think that we have tons of manufacturers but we really don’t.  There are only 3 or 4 really left.  I know you don’t think that’s possible.  But it is true.  They set the prices.  There is very little difference in all of them so when your water heater goes out and you start shopping – remember the highest price one and the lowest priced one may be made by the same company.  So do your homework, get the lowest price and get an installer that has insurance and is bonded.  That way if something happens, you are covered. 

Now to the e-mail…..

Question:  A lingering problem with which I struggle is cleaning of the grout of a Saltillo tile in the kitchen and in the bathroom.  The regions of the floor that are heavily traveled show darker grout and there are several area of heavier dark stains in the grout.  I do not want to damage the tile.  What do you recommend for cleaning and removing the dark stains from the grout?
Answer:  To clean the grout use a product called Restore.  It is made by Stone Tech.  Then after cleaning you want to seal the grout.  Use a Heavy Duty Sealer for grout.  I like the Stone Tech products and have been recommending them for years.  You can find the product line usually at tile stores, and if you still can’t find it, go to our website. 

Question:  Johnnie I love reading your column in the Villager every week.  I have travertine flooring in my house that needs cleaning and I want to seal it so that it stays looking good.  What do you suggest? 
Answer: Klenz All Heavy Duty Stone and Tile Cleaner by Stone Tech is the product to use and it evens cleans terrazzo.  Then use the Heavy Duty Sealer to keep it looking great.

Question:  We don’t have a water softener in our house so we get terrible hard water build up that I can’t seem to blast off.  I even have build up on the windows where the sprinkler hit against the glass.  Do you have any suggestions?
Answer:  The product to use is Delete Germ.  You just have to be careful when you use it because it is a mild acid and if you leave it on the glass and say- go answer the phone or go watch TV- well it will etch the glass.  So, wear gloves and put some Delete Germ on a soft rag and clean a small area of the glass at a time, and then rinse, rinse, and finally rinse.  Then move to the next small area, until all the glass is clean.  Your glass will look like a mirror.  It will be that clean.  I am working on an another glass cleaner, that after you clean, you wax the glass and it will stay cleaner longer. 

Question:  You wrote about a product that was good for wall cracks.  You said that you fill in the cracks, and spray this product on it and then you can paint.  But I can’t remember what that product was- help?
Answer:  Actually it’s two products.  Fill the crack with spackling with Dap Dry Dex it goes on pink, and when dry it turns white.  Then use Good Bye Cracks to spray over the filled in area.  Use several light coats.  It is flexible, and so if you get some movement again it moves with it.  Then you can paint – I recommend Coronado, Tough Walls because it is an acrylic also. 

Question:  Two years ago I had our wolmanized wood deck stained.  Now half of the stain has worn off.  I have tried to power wash the rest off- but that’s not working.  What do you recommend?
Answer:  I wish you would have called before you started cleaning your deck because there is a great product called SuperDeck Wood Cleaner.  One gallon makes four gallons.  It removes failed oxidized coating and it’s fast acting, and biodegradable. 

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.