When you read this article I will be in Houston to visit a big state Hardware Show.  It the Handy Hardware Show.  That is how I learn about all the new products and ideas that I share with you every week in print and also on the radio show on Saturday.  You who read the article get to hear about it first.  Some of the ideas in the past have been a paint remover called Soy Gel that is odorless and takes all the work out of removing paint.  Then there is the Bean E Doo that is a floor adhesive remover that is made by the same people and it too is odorless and biodegradable.  Both of the products are made from soy beans- can you imagine?  And there is the little portable heater called Big Heat that will heat a room 10 x 30.  It has a variable blower speed that keeps you warm all through the room and it also has an energy saving mode.  And it sells for less that $50.  Minwax products that save rotten wood before you have to replace it – and you can do it yourself!  Think of the money that is saved if you didn’t have to replace a window sill- or the bottom of a garage door?  Oh…I could go on for pages and you get the idea and that’s why I love going to the shows.  This is the first of 5 shows for me, and for you.  So stay turned for all new products and techniques for saving you time and money.    

Now to the e-mail….

Question:  I have attached several photos of our roof. What is that black stuff on the roof?  It’s on many roofs in the Memorial area.  Our neighbors spent $600 to have their roof cleaned.  Maybe you could help us with some Do It Yourself advice.  Could it be mildew or stain from nails that are not galvanized?  Thanks for all the tips that you share.
Answer:  It’s just mildew.  You can use Jomax in a pump up sprayer.  The formula is 1 pt of Jomax, 3 pts of Clorox, and fill with water in a 2 or 3 gallon pump up sprayer.  Spray the roof and if some of the mildew is stubborn, scrub with an old broom.  Then rinse with clear water.  No big deal- but be careful on the roof – the only way is down.  You can find Jomax at most paint stores. 

Question:  We purchased some outdoor metal furniture and the armrests are showing some rust.  What do you suggest we do to restore them?
Answer:  Use a product called Rust Cure- spray on and wait an hour.  Then you wipe off the oily residue.  Then you wait a week and it will turn a gun metal grey.  It is cured and you are ready to paint- or just leave it as is.  If you paint I would recommend the Rust Scat Enamel.  This is a Coronado paint. 

Question:  The mystery smell manifested itself back in December in the ½ bath downstairs.  For a lack of a better description it is a mix of a soiled sale baby diaper and a construction outhouse in August.  It does not happen every day nor every week, when it does happen it is offensive throughout the house.  A plumber came out and of course the smell was gone by then.  He suggested along with others any of a number of potential causes or reasons but until the smell is odorifirously  witnessed by a plumber there is not much outside of eliminating possibilities that can be done.  The plumber suggested the use of a camera and I could not stop laughing.  Out house is on the market.
Answer:  You vent pipe is stopped up (the one on the roof) so run some water down the pipe with water hose and that should take care of it. Most times that you smell something in the bathroom it’s a vent pipe.  Spiders will spin webs in the pipes and then leaves fall down in the pipes and bingo you have a clogged pipe.  And you are right the smell can be pungent.  And if you are trying to sell the house, it could be embarrassing if the smell goes through the whole house.  Remember be careful when you are on the roof- my friend.

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.