good but inexpensive oriental carpet cleaner


I have an old but valuable oriental carpet. I spilled many a bottle of wine on it when I was a teenager and some of the stains are unlikely to ever come out. In fact ABC carpet cleaned it ten years ago for a fortune but it only seemed to make the stains get deeper in the color. Anyhow, if someone could recommend an excellent cleaner in Brooklyn or N.Y that is less expensive then ABC that would be appreciated.

Categories: Floors
By Phalces | 01/18/2011 1:08 PM | Comment

Help! Click lock floor separation issue


I had a contractor lay down a click lock engineered floor last month. It looked fine but I should have looked closer because last night I noticed that almost in the middle of the living room there is one edge of a board that is up slightly. It seems that this particular board was not locked properly to it’s partner. While it is not so severe yet I worry it could get worse. Do I have to undo half the floor to fix this? That would be a nightmare. I was thinking to get a thin nail and nail the corner down and then stain the nail head after-words to hide it but I fear it might actually split the wood getting it it altogether. Also since a month has gone by I am not sure it is the contractors fault or some fault of the board itself. I paid the contractor a day wage and now I hate to ask him to come and spend a day undoing the entire floor. That will be an unpleasant holiday request.

Categories: Floors
By Phalces | 12/27/2010 4:22 AM | Comment

Is primer a good substitute for ceiling paint?


I just realized that the ceiling of my mom’s big apartment was done with primer. Thinking of redoing it with ceiling paint but not sure it is worth the time and expense. It does not look bad but I think the ceiling paint would be brighter and open the apartment up perhaps.

Categories: Painting
By Phalces | 12/16/2010 8:24 AM | Comment

How can I protect my new wood floor from a track I need to lay for a room divider?


I plan on putting together three doors I have to create a temporary room divider in the form of a large accordian door. However I am worried that I will damage my new wood floor when I lay down the tracks. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to protect the floor or is that impossible

Categories: Doors
By Phalces | 12/12/2010 8:27 PM | Comment

inexpensive bathroom vanities in brooklyn?


Can anyone recommend a store with great prices for bathroom vanities in Brooklyn?

Categories: Stores
By Phalces | 11/27/2010 12:39 PM | Comment

Looking for a great handyman willing to work for a day wage


Hi,

Can anyone recommend a great handyman (someone who can do carpentry, windows, floors, etc, etc) who will work for a day wage? I don’t like paying by the job and would prefer to give someone a day wage. My experience is that this saves me money and let’s me see how well someone works without committing to a long term relationship right away.

Categories: Handyman
By Phalces | 11/27/2010 10:29 AM | Comment

free scrap metal pick up in Brooklyn?


Hi,

Does anyone have a number for a free metal pick up guy? I have about ten or so large metal kitchen countertops hanging out in my back yard that someone with a van could make a few bucks carting off.

Categories: Quality of Life
By Phalces | 11/27/2010 10:26 AM | Comment

Energy Saving Window Film: Has anybody used this?


Hello, I have over a dozen drafty windows in my old house. Single pane all of them. The worst are two big casement windows in the front which on a quiet night I can almost hear the wind whistle through the edges. Since I don’t have the money to replace them I was thinking to try using window film. Can anyone recommend a particularly good brand as there seem to be many different types and companies making them? Are the exterior ones better then the interior ones that have to be shrunk? Thanks.

Categories: Windows
By Phalces | 10/26/2010 12:03 AM | Comment

Best Ceiling Paint to Make Ceiling Look Higher?


I have a beautiful apartment but the ceiling is very low. I recently painted the place Benjamin Moore White Blush diluted down to make it even lighter. It is a cream like color. The old paint on the ceiling is flat white and honestly does not look like it even needs repainting but I was wondering if there might not be some texture or tone of white that will make the ceiling appear to recede more.

Categories: Painting
By Phalces | 10/20/2010 10:45 AM | Comment

Is Corian Still Considered a High End Material for Kitchen Countertops?


I was going to put in a Corian kitchen countertop in an Apartment I am trying to sell but my contractor says Corian is not high end anymore! He says that if I want a selling point I better go with granite or marble. Is this true?

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By Phalces | 10/19/2010 11:07 AM | Comment