AC Leak & Repair Recommendation


I had a new unit installed last year for around $7,000. Although brand new, the unit never really pumped out COLD air. Over the weekend, I fired up the unit and warm air blew out. I called the same crew that installed the unit last year for a checkup. Result: the unit was already out of freon. They diagnosed a leak in the line, but bc they didn’t hear a leak from the unit to the inside or near the coils, they believe the leak is behind the hallway wall. Before I start ripping up my walls to find a leaky pipe, does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?

Categories: A/C
By SuzettaV | 04/29/2009 5:20 PM | Comment

Exterior Paint Suggestions


I’m considering repainting the yellow tin a med-dark gray with a hint of blue, but I would like to hear suggestions on colors outside the gray family. I’m seeking a timeless and historical color which will accent the stone and architecture of the building.

Details: The exterior facade is stone (light gray) and tin (painted yellow and runs from ground to roof in the bay window area). The stone will be power-washed and repointed, which will remove the brown rust stains from over 10 years of neglect.

Categories: Exterior
By SuzettaV | 04/22/2009 12:02 PM | Comment

Request: Paint Color Suggestion


We are having the exterior re-done this week, and I need to decide on paint color. The exterior is composed of light gray stone with a yellow painted decorative tin which runs from the ground to roof in the bay window area. The stone will be power-washed and repointed, which will remove the brown rust stains from 15 years of non-maintenance. Given the stone is beautiful light gray with hints of brown, I’m thinking the tin should be repainted a gray, but I know from personal experience gray is a tricky color. I’m requesting paint color suggestion in the gray family.

Categories: Exterior
By SuzettaV | 04/20/2009 9:10 AM | Comment

Correction: Do Your Research Regardless of Recommendation


Reposting bc of error on original post.

We recently spent nearly $25,000 to remodel a small bathroom on the ground floor of our brownstone. Our designer recommended contractor Daniel Dabrowski, as she had used him in the past and had only positive results. Given the seal of approval, we thought we had nothing to worry about. Wrong. This was by far the best example of “great design, poor execution”. To avoid rambling, the following was botched:

-Grout in foyer wasn’t properly removed prior to sealing, leaving a haze over tiles
-Bisazza mosaic tiles in bathroom improperly installed, leaving tiles uneven
-Epoxy grout on mosaic tiles left on surface, leaving a haze over all tiles
-Vanity mirror improperly installed using Velcro. Yes, Velcro!
-Paint on walls and doors lacked primer and therefore the prior color showed through. Also, the corners and borders showed trim stokes
-Paint and caulk splatters on new fixtures and appliances

There is much more to report on our remodel nightmare, but the point of this post is to warn renovation newbies to do research on their contractor, regardless of recommendation. Ask to see photos of finished work, ask for references, etc… Also, if you hire a contractor, make sure he is on site every day. All projects that were passed from Daniel to another worker had to be retouched or reinstalled.

Renovations aren’t fun, especially when you’ve been taken for a ride. Take the time to research contractors in order to avoid a renovation disaster.

Categories: Renovation
By SuzettaV | 09/15/2008 8:18 PM | Comment