Chimney Cleaning


A chimney cleaning company (Top Sweep, Inc) called me out of the blue to clean my chimneys. My house was gut renovated a little over a year ago before I purchased it.

Do you think it’s necessary to have a chimney cleaning so soon? We have gas heat, no fireplaces and only one chimney.

Has anyone had dealings with this company? Thx.

Categories: Chimney
By bklynbound | 03/02/2011 4:12 PM | Comment

Frameless Shower Stall Leak


The shower in my master bath is leaking. It’s a frameless shower stall and I noticed that the bottoms of the door frames (a pocket door to the bathroom, next to the shower) have swelled from leaking water.

My plumber came by to check it out and has determined that the door is causing the leak. Not sure if it’s just when the door opens or also when the shower is in use.

I need someone who renovates and installs bathrooms to look at it and tell me what can be done to fix this. I’ve called the contractor who renovated the house for the name of the man who did the original installation, but have not heard back from them and need to move on.

Any suggestions for someone reputable and who does good work? Thanks.

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By bklynbound | 02/27/2011 12:11 PM | Comment

Slight Burnt Odor


I own a 3 story brownstone that was gut renovated shortly before I bought it one year ago. Each floor has it’s own zone for heating and A/C. The top two floors have York HVac units (on the roof) while the finished basement uses a traditional furnace in a utility closet located in the basement. All are natural gas fueled.

For the last two days, I have noticed a strange, slight burnt odor on the top two floors that comes and goes. I’ve only noticed the odor in the back of the house on both floors (the HVac units are in the front).

I’ve checked all the units and all seems fine. They’re operating fine. Do you think this is a potentially dangerous situation? Do the vents need to be cleaned and vacuumed? Is this even something worth doing after less than 2 years?

Thanks in advance.

Categories: Heating
By bklynbound | 02/27/2011 11:34 AM | Comment

Raised Basement Floor


I want to raise part of the floor in the main area of my finished basement. I own a small brownstone in Carroll Gardens. The basement was finished before I bought the house this past spring. The floors were left concrete.

With all of these freak rain/hail storms, I’ve had flooding. I’ve made changes to drains and put in a new sewer line so hopefully it won’t flood again; but in the event it does, I want to raise part of the floor since this is used as my office/studio.

I only have about 2″ max in height for the raised floor. Essentially, I’m describing a platform.

I’ve looked into composite decking and found one that looks good but would need to find some metal sleepers instead of composite decking sleepers as I want whatever touches the concrete floor to be non-absorbant.

Any suggestions and also, does anyone know of someone who might be able to build this for me? The area is approx 14′ square.

Categories: Floors
By bklynbound | 10/21/2010 3:45 PM | Comment

Need a Contractor for Closet


I am looking to build a fairly large closet in my garden level finished basement … floor to ceiling. I want it to look like it’s original to the house which means plasterboard sides that can be painted to match existing walls … no laminate oand I want all the shelves to be adjustable.

My contractor came in with a very expensive proposal and I would like to get a few more estimates. Can anyone suggest a contractor? The job is big but not huge. The closet will be approximately 8′ wide by 2′ deep by 8′ high. Thanks.

Categories: Construction
By bklynbound | 06/17/2010 1:45 PM | Comment

Add Vanities to Porcelain Sinks


I have two bathrooms with beautiful modern porcelain sinks that hang off the wall. I desperately need storage and want to build vanities under the porcelain sinks.

My master bath has two of these sinks with about 18″ in between and I want to customize the cabinets to take advantage of the this space … so I am looking at a highly customizable job.

Can anyone recommend a kitchen & bath shop where I can go who can do this work? I was going to call a contractor, but that would add to the cost.

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By bklynbound | 03/12/2010 4:37 PM | Comment

Gowanus Odors/Floods?


I am looking at several properties on Bond St between Carroll and 2nd Streets. I’ve read thru the archives about any issues with odors and floods and have some concerns still.

Friends who live on Warren St have told me that they have on several occasions smelled the canal during hot summer months and that it permeates their apartment and is difficult to eliminate. Has anyone noticed this?

Has anyone had any flooding issues on Bond between Carroll and 2nd? The basements of all the properties I have seen, seem dry with no water issues, but I would appreciate anyone’s input. Thanks

Categories: Real Estate
By bklynbound | 12/05/2009 2:54 PM | Comment

New Residential Building


I am considering buying a property that has a very old, dilapidated house on it in a residential area. The house is not renovation-worthy. Whomever buys it must knock it down and rebuild.

How do I find out if what I want to build can be built before I actually buy the property? I have spoken w/ the city and found out the technicalities as to the allowable square footage and the footprint of the construction.

The seller claims she cannot afford to knock down and construct due to the economy; and she may be telling the truth. But what if she is selling because she found out there was some stipulation to building that is difficult to overcome?

Can anyone suggest ways to research this without spending a fortune? Thanks.

Categories: Real Estate
By bklynbound | 06/15/2009 2:54 PM | Comment