Radiators Not Fully Heating


in august we finished a gut renovation in which we reused the original slant fin radiators that at the time were working properly. now they’re not heating all the way across. we’ve already installed vari-valves (courtesy of bklyn plumbing supply the best, imho) but I think the issue is the sub-contractor plumber who didn’t know steam systems and didn’t install the rads properly (lots of little issues leading to gurgling and low heat as well as his insistence that dirty water and a non-working pressure gauge on the boiler were not problems). there are a few other things about the way they were installed leaves me with many question. who best to call in windsor terrace that can help work with me on a long term basis to balance the steam system? tx / iddelz

By iddelz | 12/06/2009 5:24 PM | Comment

Claims Against an Architect


maybe a touchy subject but has anyone ever sued their architect after a project for E&O (errors and omissions). what was the experience like? what was the outcome? would you do it again?

ours has made three errors related to fire code that has resulted in ~$10K in unnecessary costs. he acknowledges an overly conservative reading of the regulations, apologizes and then … that’s it. i’m glad he’s learning as he goes but its absurd that he does it on my dime.

i contacted a construction claims and litigation specialist who said its too small a claim to hire a lawyer/outside consultant. but it’s a real hit to my wallet and i want him to share that pain.

is it just too tedious to pursue for that amount? is it up to me to vet his decisions before i sign off on them? or is it all “buyer beware”?

i know there are great architects out there. i won’t let him sully your profession.

Categories: Architects
By iddelz | 07/18/2009 5:30 PM | Comment

fire-rated door question


we’re doing an alt II renovation on the upper unit of a 1920′s two-story brick building (units upstairs and down). inside the entryway are two of those classic wood doors with glass panels and chintzy curtains behind them.

for some reason, we’re told we need to take these out and put in fire rated doors.

does anyone know why? i haven’t been able to get an answer from the expeditor or the snarkitect who has already gotten so many things wrong w/regulations that i don’t trust his judgment. (he’s the architect that gives architects a bad name.)

there are thousands of building in brklyn like this why does ours need fire rated doors? tx / iddelz

By iddelz | 07/15/2009 11:21 AM | Comment

a/c rooftop dunnage


A prior poster wrote: “Not all roof top a/c units need their own separate steel support framing …” Does anyone know who can spec out the dunnage? Our architect drew up plans to run iron beams across the parapets and every contractor we talked to said that was unnecessary and overly expensive. What is the right way at the last cost? Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks / Iddelz

Categories: A/C
By iddelz | 06/09/2009 11:27 AM | Comment

setback on central a/c condenser


are there regulations on how close to the property line one can place the condenser unit for a central a/c?

Categories: A/C
By iddelz | 06/08/2009 9:54 PM | Comment

“Expeditor” = “Pay to Play”?


Can someone please explain to me how DOB is NOT a pay to play exercise. I’m starting construction on a renovation of our new house in WT tomorrow and I’ve got a $2,000 bill due to the expeditor. So I’ve asked for information on what meetings they went to, with whom, when and for how long, and I get back this absurd response “JUST PAY THE INVOICE.”

Do projects get done if you don’t use an expeditor? It seems that DOB has no incentive to make its resources user friendly if it can generate fees solely by being inefficient. The whole experience seems awfully squishy from a legal / ethical standpoint. I might say it’s even corrupt.

A curious brooklynite

Categories: Construction
By iddelz | 05/19/2009 3:22 PM | Comment