Neighbor’s Basement Flood Becomes Ours Too


Any advice for dealing with repeated flooding of our brownstone basement because of water problems next door? Three times since this neighbor bought the house next door, we have had significant (inches) of water come through from this neighbor’s brownstone into our basement. Tonight I detected a smell at the top of our basement stairs (even with door closed) and when I investigated (going into my basement) I found again there had been water only on that neighbor’s side of our basement, clearly coming through the wall from his house. This has happened twice before, and after the second time we installed a pump in our basement adjacent to the wall we share with him. I’m sure that pump saved us from even more water damage this time around, but one pump was not really enough to handle water coming in up and down most of the length of wall. We went next door to talk to him and learned his flood was actually several days ago (he never bothered to tell us). We have our dehumidifier on now and that should help things dry out, but in general, what can one do about water coming from a neighbor who seems not to be able to stop flooding his own basement (and therefore ours too).Is there a way to waterproof our shared wall (at least on our side)? I’m still fairly new to brownstone home ownership and I have no idea if there is anything we can do on our side to protect our property. This time he claimed the inches of water somehow came up from underground (he says there was no pipe leak). Maybe he has faulty drainage from his back garden, who knows. Previously he flooded us (twice) when he forgot to empty out and shut off the garden faucet for the winter. Both times the resulting inches of water on his side caused a smaller number of inches of water in our basement too, which took weeks to dry out properly. Any advice much appreciated. Is there a way to waterproof the walls to keep water out when neighbors have repeated floods? This is our third flood and I’m guessing it won’t be the last coming from this neighbor’s property.

Categories: Foundation
By hannahz | 10/03/2010 11:15 PM | Comment

Neighbor’s Trash


A couple years ago a new neighbor purchased the brownstone next door to mine, and since then, at least 80 percent of the time, the trash from that house gets placed in front of MY brownstone on the nights when we put out trash and/or recycling on our block. I see the neighbor tries to put it where there is a break between cars (to make it easier for the sanitation workers), and they do have a large tree in front of their property (which takes up some space). There is still room in front of his own house though, and I don’t see why the tree entitles him to put his trash in front of my place. We have in the past been ticketed for recycling issues that were not our fault (when presumably some person walking by put a newspaper and empty coffee cup in one of our bins). I have always been vigilant to keep my recycling well sorted and in SEALED bags, and have kept lids on our trash bins. The neighbor is more careless and often piles improperly sorted recyclables in front of my house too. What is the most diplomatic way to express to this neighbor that his trash belongs in front of HIS OWN brownstone? Is this a common problem in brownstone Brooklyn?

Categories: Etiquette
By hannahz | 02/17/2010 9:49 AM | Comment

cost to renovate bathroom?


What would be a typical price range to renovate a bathroom in a brownstone in Park Slope? The bathroom is about 6 feet by 10 feet. Assuming minimal change in plumbing, what would we expect to pay (to replace old tub, sink, toilet and retile, possibly updating some of the plumbing in the process)? Alternatively, if we move the toilet, tub and/or sink, which obviously means more plumbing, what would we expect to pay then? I have been told previously that 7 to 15 thousand is a ballpark figure for bathroom renovations. IS that approximately on target for PS? Also, when folks say “plan on 25% higher” do they mean the 25 % is already in that range? I am not sure if quoted estimates include that extra amount or not.I know in these old houses, one often discovers extra problems when walls are opened. Also, with the numbers people quote (for bathroom reno), does this usually mean a “strip to the beam” type job? Or are they talking about a more minimal job? Any info would be most appreciated. I just want a ballpark idea of what it costs to renovate a brownstone bathroom. Anyone who can comment in terms of ANY of the possibilities above (more extensive or less extensive, moving tubs or not moving them, etc.) I would be most grateful. Thank you.

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By hannahz | 05/29/2008 1:58 PM | Comment