Rubber Tiles on Roof


I am considering laying rubber DuraTiles on our roof and wanted to hear if anyone had experience with the product or any tips for its use.

Thanks.

Categories: Roofers
By UWS2 | 10/13/2009 4:10 PM | Comment

Roofer in Manhattan


Any recommendations for roofers to fix a leaking bstone flat roof on the Upper West Side?

Thanks.

Categories: Roofers
By UWS2 | 09/21/2009 3:17 PM | Comment

Room Air Filter for Allergies


Allergist suggests a hepa air filter for kid’s room, but I am dubious. Are in-room air filters worthless if the window is open? If the door of the room is open to the rest of the house (it’s a little kid’s room – we never close it)? We already have cental a/c with its own filter, does a separate room air filter add anything when the a/c is on?

Thanks.

Categories: A/C
By UWS2 | 06/10/2009 10:58 AM | Comment

name that bug!


I saw this bug in my backyard and wanted to make sure it is not the longhorned beetle that the City has raised alerts about. Anyone know what bug this is?

thanks.

Categories: Garden
By UWS2 | 06/07/2009 11:13 AM | Comment

termites on terrace


Just discovered loads of termites infesting the wood deck on the terrace on top of our rear extension. The deck is a wreck and needs to come down anyway. Would appreciate advice on removing the deck without exposing the interior to the termites. All debris has to go through the house.

Also, would appreciate learned recommendations of an exterminator who can inspect for any damage inside the house.

Thanks very much.

Categories: Exterminator
By UWS2 | 05/27/2009 1:38 PM | Comment

replacing skylight


We want to replace our 3 skylights when we fix up our roof. Are there any recommendations for energy-efficient skylights that do not lose enormous amounts of heat in the winter?
What we have now are the skylights shaped like little sheds with the glass panes that have chicken wire inside. Maintaining security is also a concern.

Thanks.

Categories: Skylight
By UWS2 | 04/01/2009 2:38 PM | Comment

cold air through dryer vent


We get a lot of cold air coming in through our dryer vent. The dryer is located in our cellar, and it vents to the outside through a flexible metallic tube.
Is there a way to properly vent the dryer while also keeping out the cold?

Thanks.

Categories: Waterproofing
By UWS2 | 03/11/2009 9:05 AM | Comment

Diagnosing parapet problem?


I noticed some deterioration on our parapet wall, and am trying to figure out what we need to do to fix it. In some spots, the brick face seems to have popped off.

My guess is that some water is getting into the brick around the coping stones at the top of the parapet wall. I do not see any evidence of water leakage on the interior. Any advice on how to deal with this would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Categories: Exterior
By UWS2 | 03/05/2009 11:13 AM | Comment