Sandstone Facade Repair / Restoration


Our facade needs attention. It has survived the last 140 years and appears in good shape but the recent rains have caused some spalling in the carved detail in one spot. I would like to find a company that could stabilize the stone that is there and potentially even replace damaged pieces with new stone (rather than cement). Does anyone do this in Brooklyn (ever)? I have looked through the archives but haven’t found any references beyond ‘rebrownstoning’…

Categories: Facade
By going4broke | 05/17/2011 11:13 AM | Comment

source for gloss white dishwasher door


I would like to get a custom gloss white dishwasher door panel to match IKEA Abstrakt White cupboards. Unfortunately, the Ikea standard panels are 1/8″ too wide. Can you pls recommend a fabricator who could do this? How much should I expect to pay?

Thanks

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By going4broke | 01/27/2011 4:29 PM | Comment

wanted – IKEA Takta handles


Does anyone have any leftover IKEA Takta handles? I bought a few spares but not enough now I want to reconfigure my kitchen & Ikea have discontinued the line. I need 2 5″ handles & possibly 1 longer (8″?) handle…

My cell is 917 669 5672

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By going4broke | 01/27/2011 3:46 PM | Comment

Fluctuating Gas Pressure???


How likely is it that we have fluctuating gas pressure supply in Brooklyn? What is most likely to cause it (eg external supply problem, undetected leak, bad meter,…)?

Over the last week we have had a problem with our (high efficiency) boiler turning itself off because of insufficient gas supply. When our plumber came, he got a gas pressure reading of 4″ of water column, below the necessary 6″ required (& 7″ promised by national grid). National Grid then came to check it out & they found the pressure was fine (ie around 7″). National Grid checked for leaks & found none, turned on the boiler & it worked. Since then the boiler has failed again yesterday although when we started it, it fired up fine. This morning it failed again. Any ideas? Thanks

Categories: Plumbing
By going4broke | 10/28/2010 8:11 AM | Comment

Big fire in Brooklyn – 2am Sunday


Woke up at 2am to the smell of smoke. After checking realized it was coming from outside. From the roof I saw the whole neighborhood seemed thick with smoke. There were certainly sirens. Found this great link but it still isn’t clear (Gowanus or smoke from Jersey)…

http://www.thebravest.com/brooklyn/brooklyn.htm

Anyone know what’s going on?

Categories: News/Commentary
By going4broke | 10/17/2010 2:26 AM | Comment

Buying a Washing Machine


Our washing machine is broken. If it cant be fixed (on 2nd try) tomorrow, we will have to buy a new one. Based on consumer reports I will be looking to get a Kenmore (Sears) or a Samsung but I will want to pick it up on Saturday. Where should I go to buy the machine (needs to be accessible from or ideally in Brooklyn, have stock of said machine and also ideally give me a decent price)?

Lastly, if anyone has a frontloading Samsung or Kenmore – how do you like it?

Thx

Categories: Appliances
By going4broke | 06/18/2010 1:45 PM | Comment

copper pipe insulation?


Where in Brooklyn can I get high R value pipe insulation that I can put on the copper pipe in my basement? Ideally I would like to get something that is quick to install (this has been on the to do list for too long).

Thanks

Categories: Plumbing
By going4broke | 02/11/2010 12:08 PM | Comment

Closet Dummy Door Knob


I have a couple of closets on which I want to install dummy door knobs. Further, if possible I would like to use the same old door knobs I have in the rest of the house. These old door knobs are the standard porcelain knob on a square bolt. My question is, is there any product that I can use in place of a door knob on the inside of the door/closet (to save room inside the closet)? I imagine it would have to be some sort of plate that screws to the inside of the door with a square hole in the middle and screw to hold the door knob square bolt in place… Does this sort of thing exist and if so, where would I find one?

Thanks

Categories: Doors
By going4broke | 01/14/2010 7:00 AM | Comment

Lawn Under Snow


The snow is beautiful. That said, I have a question about what is best to to do protect our lawn. I assume I have 2 decent options

1. leave as is, dont walk on it or disturb it assuming that the snow will transmit enough light to the grass to keep it alive and might actually give it an insulating layer. I am guessing that walking on it / depressing the snow to compacted ice on the grass will kill the grass.

2. shovel / rake the snow off the lawn completely – a huge job but not impossible. This would give most light to the grass and prevent it getting locked in ice.

What is the best option? Should I do something altogether different or is it to late to protect it or is it a lost cause regardless.

Enjoying the snow but looking forward to green grass in spring!

Categories: Garden
By going4broke | 12/21/2009 11:09 AM | Comment

Plywood Sheet for a Door?


I want to make a large sliding door based on a single sheet of 3/4″ plywood. The problem is, the sheet would ideally be 6 foot x 8 foot. I understand that the standard size is 4×8. Do 6×8 sheets exist / are they available without paying stupid premium? Where would I get one? If I were to bolt together 4 sheets of standard 3/8″ & cut down to 6×8, would i have any issues (would it be better or worse)?

FYI, the door I am considering putting in is a barn door style, framed with 1 3/4″ wood with the plywood covered in 1/2″ industrial felt on both sides.

Thanks

Categories: Doors
By going4broke | 11/17/2009 11:14 PM | Comment