Top Floor Radiator


I have a one family house from 1908. We have gas boiler that heats the water in the radiators. The top floor radiators will not get hot. I have bleed them multiple times and air comes out but never any water. Any advice on how to get them hot?

Categories: Radiators
By donjii | 11/22/2010 3:39 PM | Comment

Insulating Basement Ceiling


I have a brownstone and the first floor apartment is cold. It also contains the thermostat to the 3 family building.
I am thinking of insulating the basement to make it warmer. Currently there is an old plaster type ceiling in the basement with no insulation between that and the floor.

Will insulating the ceiling make the apt above warmer?
How do I tell if 100 year old wiring is still active?
Does firecode say I have to sheetrock up the ceiling once I add the insulation?
Do I need insulate the Rim joists?

Categories: Insulation
By donjii | 01/13/2009 6:16 PM | Comment

Co-op and Home Equity Loan


Sorry for the off topic. Would anyone know if you are able to get a home equity loan on your co-op. I am being told you cannot since it is not real property and you only have shares in corporation.

Categories: Renovation
By donjii | 01/07/2008 5:25 PM | Comment

Top of the Stairs


I have question that maybe someone can answer. At the top of the stairs in my brownstone is that small round cutout. You usually see a religious statue placed in the spot. I have heard it was for caskets so they could turn the corner. Can anyone answer what is the true purpose of the small cutout?

Categories: History
By donjii | 10/23/2007 10:10 AM | Comment

Lally or lolly Columns


I own a 3 family 1890 frame house. The wooden columns in the basement some touch the supporting beam and some of them don’t. I think we have 3-4. I wanted to install new lolly or lally columns for proper support. Can I just place a new metal column next to the old wooden posts? Do I need to enclose them in concrete? Any other issues that I need to be concerned about?

Categories: Renovation
By donjii | 09/28/2007 11:16 AM | Comment

C of O


It appears that the C of O has a typo and points to a different lot number. It is actually 42 but the C of O says 43. Anyone know how much it will cost to correct?

Categories: C of O
By donjii | 09/19/2007 5:36 PM | Comment