Last week I had a question that Trudy could not understand what I was talking about and since she translates what I write- needless to say it was left off the article.  After sitting down and explaining how the item worked – we decided that I would lead off the article with the question and my answer.  The question was about a lock that a woman wanted for her daughter who lives in an apartment.  Her daughter was always concerned about maintenance men that could walk in her apartment during the day when she was not there- without her knowledge – worse if she was in the apartment and they just walk in and surprise her.  There is a chain door guard that has a key in the side that is attached to the door frame.  So when you are leaving- you are able to put you hand inside the door and attach the chain and then lock it with a key.  Then you take the key with you, and lock the deadbolt.  Now if you are home, you still just attach the chain, you don’t have to lock with the key.  You will feel safe when you leave the house knowing that no one is going inside the apartment without you knowing it.  And if you are home- no more surprise visits from maintenance.  So if you want a door chain lock like that Ultra makes one and the item # is 44810.  Any hardware store should be able to get it for you.

Now to the e-mail…..

Question:  With the down economy I was able to buy some real bargain houses that I am using as investment property.  Most of the houses were in great shape, except for one.  They had cats!  And the smell is horrific.  We have tried everything.  Tearing out the carpet, painting the walls, changing out the window drapes was all done, and still the smell exists.  We will never get this property rented with the smell- what can we do?
Answer:  The answer is easy.  Bio-Zapp is used to neutralize any odor.  It’s truly an amazing product.  With the carpet out- pour the Bio Zapp directly on the concrete slab.  Mop it around, don’t be stingy.  The odor will just disappear.  Odor like that sinks down in to the foundation, and removing the carpet just doesn’t cut it.  If you have a small area, you don’t have to remove the carpet, just pour the BioZapp directly thru the carpet, pad and to the slab.  It won’t hurt anything.  It’s just like water.  Won’t suds up. 

Question:  Several times in your article you have referred to a glue used for loose furniture joints.  The glue is put in the loose furniture joints and dries quickly to stiffen the joint.  What is the name of the glue?  Does it come with an applicator?  Is it easy to use?  Where can I buy this?
Answer:  The product is called Tite Chairs.  It looks like super glue.  It has a needle nose to put it exactly where you want it.  It sets up in seconds. 
It may look like super glue but it is a product that bonds well with wood.

Question:  I have a cedar closet that has lost its smell.  I like having a cedar closet, what can I do?
Answer:  You can buy cedar oil in a 1 oz bottle.  The formula to use it is the 1 oz cedar oil to 5 oz boiled linseed oil in a small can and then brush it on.  If you have a large closet then you might need more oz 1 oz of cedar oil.  But it’s not expensive so this is an economical fix.

Question:  I have some leaks in my roof over the garage – so bad that the sheetrock is coming down and I have to nail it up.  The take is coming off and the texture is coming down.  I am going to take all the texture off with a wide trowel.  When I pull the tape off do I have to retape?  I have heard that there is a faster way.
Answer:  The answer is Good Bye Cracks and you can use it instead of tape.  Fill the joint with spackling, let it dry (use Dry Dex) and then use the Good Bye Cracks over the joints by 3” or 4” on both sides of the crack- give it about 3 coats and then paint the ceiling with Coronado Tough Walls.  The Good Bye Cracks will move with the ceiling.

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.