Sidewalk Violation


Our block just got hit with a wave of NYC Sidewalk Violation notices with 45 days to repair. A couple of questions…
Will the city use a contractor to repair/replace a bluestone sidewalk (appears that they consider this a special situation.)If not, does the 45 day deadline still apply?
Any recommendations for contractors who do good/affordable bluestone sidewalk work? (Tried to reach Vinroy Baronette numerous times without a callback.)

Categories: Sidewalks
By brickstone | 09/13/2010 11:45 AM | Comment

CofO/HELOC Clarification


Thanks to all for your comments on previous post. To clarify: House has a CofO as legal 2 family. We renovated into a one family and removed second kitchen. Applied for HELOC as a one, foolishly told appraiser when he called that we had one kitchen. Loan denied due to conflict between CofO and no. of kitchens/description.
Question: Any use in going back to bank and changing description to 2 Family? What to do about kitchen situation? Will we have to put kitchen back eventually to sell? Have refinaced twice since renovation w/o problems (pre-meltdown!)
Adam Dahill…would appreciate your contact info!

Categories: Mortgage
By brickstone | 05/16/2010 11:04 PM | Comment

C of O for Home Equity Loan


I recently applied for a HELOC on my legal 2 family renovated and used as a 1 family. On the application I described the house as a one family
and told the appraiser (“drive by appraisal”)
that it currently had only one kitchen, which it does. The loan was subsequently denied due to “no CofO”.
What are my options to avoid a repeat of this situation?

Categories: Mortgage
By brickstone | 05/14/2010 10:27 AM | Comment

Wet/Noisy Radiator Valve


The air valve on one of my steam radiators is very noisy and while not actually “spitting”, the air coming out is wet.
The radiator is shimmed and has a slight incline toward the valve. Should I tilt the radiator more? Is there any risk of damaging the pipe connected to the valve in the process..it is already raised almost an inch? Does the valve need to be replaced if it has water in it? Thanks.

Categories: Heating
By brickstone | 12/14/2008 1:25 PM | Comment

Frequent Boiler Cycling


I recently replaced the old programable thermostat on my steam system with a new Honeywell digital thermostat. Since then the boiler has been cycling much more frequently. There was a reference in the instructions to heating cycles, but the minimum setting (indicated for steam) appears to be twice an hour. Is this the wrong thermostat for the system? Is there anyway to get it to cycle less frequently – I assume that the frequent cycling is wasting fuel.

Categories: Heating
By brickstone | 12/10/2008 10:26 AM | Comment

Routine boiler maintenance


I have an 8 year old Weil-McClain boiler. I drain the rusty sediment on a weekly basis during the heating season. What other maintenance is needed? Also, does a constantly hissing steam valve on a radiator indicate need for replacement? Thanks.

Categories: Heating
By brickstone | 12/03/2007 12:43 PM | Comment