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Patio Debate (How to Build)
I’m starting the contractor search for a paver patio. Some contractors build on a concrete slab and some others will do over sand/stone base.
This will be a rectangular patio with 2 feed wide borders for plants. Rain water drain hole is closer to the house in another small section of concrete slab.
What is best for a typical row house back yard where the patio will be set in the back portion of the yard with no drainage?
Are paver over concrete slab better than over sand bed? How thick should the concrete slab be? one of the contractors is talking about a 4 inche slab, this seems short to me. I’m thinking a concrete slab has more risks: Cracking, harder to remove if it is ever necessary, pavers “floating” in water if badly built, water only drains on the side of the slab causing flooding problems to my house and neightbords, etc.
Please, could I get some opinions on concrete slab vs sand base? Thanks.
05/04/2011 11:45 AM
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To Refi or Not
So our bank is offering to refinance for only $400 (application fee) on our 2 family.
$370K mortgage @ 4.25 for 15years. Current rate is 5.325. We plan to pay the mortgage in 10 years. We already locked and pay application fee. With the news of the FED planning to pump more money out and this possible lowering the rates, I’m getting cold feet. We also didn’t shop around, don’t want to shop around due to time constrains (and yes laziness). We plan to pay the mortgage in 10 years.
Is this a decent rate now? Would it make much difference if we would have shop around? Wait? Opinions wanted.
11/05/2010 10:45 AM
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Morgage Rates 1 Family vs 2 Family
Does it make sense that a two family home will have a higher mortgage rate than a one family? That’s what my refinancing person in Chase is telling me after apparently pricing the refi for one family by mistake.
10/21/2010 3:30 PM
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Basement Renovation Pre-Inspection
My basement was renovated into a rec-room probably during the 80′s by the previous owner. I would like to renovate, which might include re-do of the uneven cement floor, replacement of some sheet rook and walls to open up the space, building shelves, etc.
The sewer line and plumbing down there is very old. A few years back we had a sewer back up due to a huge storm in nyc, the city cleaned the lines and no issues as of now.
I think there’s definitively something wrong with the sewer lines and pipes. Smell of sewage permeates when the toilets are flushed upstairs. In rare huge storms once a year or so, the basement sink water in pipes tries to come up, indicating some backup in the line.
My thoughts are to do a sewer line camera inspection or get a clean-up of the sewer line.
Any thoughts on what type of pre-inspection, I should do. Is a sewer line cleanup typical home maintenance once a year? Not knowing anything about my sewer line, is it worth to do a camera inspection?
I’m a bit clueless on where to start.
09/24/2010 12:20 PM
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Furnance Tune Up Providers?
Looking for a furnace (forced hot air) tune up provider. Two years ago I had Keyspan service, but they don’t have any appointments. The furnace is very old 40+ years i believe and I want to make sure it will be in shape to start this winter. Thanks.
09/09/2010 11:45 AM
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Help Wanted to Winterize/Caulk Exterior Vinyl Windows
Our two story home has old vinyl windows with capping and it looks like the capping was never caulked against the brick, letting cold air drafts in the winter. Looking for recommendation of handyman or companies that could do this type of repair and maybe other window repairs, such as replacing lost tilt locks, locks, worm weather stripping, etc? Thanks.
08/20/2010 11:22 AM
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BBQ Gas Tank for Grill
I’m considering buying a gas grill. For those of you with no car, how do you get a gas tank? How do you refill? are there companies that will pick-up/deliver them?
06/17/2010 1:45 PM
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Strange Refinance sales pitch from bank
Chase is my current mortgage holder contacted us to offer a refinance. They say it will reduce the interest with minimum to zero closing costs and term reductions.
I’m really skeptical about it, as we refinanced with them around 1.9 years ago and I felt robbed after the closing costs/points they charged. They mention no income check, no appraisal, etc. We are at 18years and pay over 1K in additional principal on top of the regular payment to finish sooner. We pay probably over 20K in interest per year. The offer sounds tempting, but just don’t trust chase or any other bank now a days. Is anyone else getting sales pitches/offers to refinance from their banks?
05/17/2010 1:26 PM
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Back Yard Clean Up
My back yard, 20×35, it’s a mess: overgrown patchy grass, old leaves around the flower beds and in the grass, tree twigs and bigger ones around. There are old leaves under the deck platform that that need clean up. I need a recommendation of someone who can clean it up by cutting the grass and racke/pick the mess into the garbage bin. In the future, I would love to get rid of the wood deck and bring the cement steps and cement base back to it’s original shape, then build a square brick patio for BBQ/table in the middle/back, but right now I need to get it clean and think about design later. Anyone knows a good garden cleaner that will service Ridgewood, Queens? I only own a small weed wack and rake, so will need someone with their own equipment.
05/17/2010 11:11 AM
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Furnace or Thermostat Issues
My furnace is not turning off. The temp is kept at around 68-70. Two days ago, I woke up to 82 degrees due to the furnace not stopping, thermostat was set to 68. I shut the heat off from the thermostat and reset it. Yesterday, I replaced the batteries. This evening, I turned on the heat and it kick off and continued to run up to 7 degrees, even when the thermostat was set at 68. Again I set the thermostat to off and reset it. This was not an issue back in early October, when we go some cold days, the furnace/thermostat was running ok for about 1-2 weeks. Any ideas? or Technician recommendations?
11/06/2009 9:54 AM
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artistgarden
May 21, 2012 | 02:16 PM