can radiator be repositioned?


I have those old heavy steam radiators in my brownstone apt, and want to put covers on them. But one juts out of its little window alcove at an angle, sticking out about 2 inches too far, leaving a lot of space behind it. Could this radiator be nudged back a little bit? I know this would mean a slight adjustment to the angles at which the pipes elbow to connect with the radiator. Has anyone ever moved/reconnected these things?

Categories: Radiators
By kiddo | 06/20/2009 10:07 AM | Comment

Why did our USB port explode? – Anxiety about wiring


We’re setting up our office space about 1 month after a gut renovation was finished in our apt. We got a new printer, for which I installed the software and did a test page with no problem. Then my husband goes to do the same thing on his machine, but when he inserted the USB cord into the port as directed, it burst into flames and melted, and instantly the circuit for that end of the apt tripped. The computers still worked when we put the electricity back on, but we really want to know what could have caused this since no one that I’ve talked to has ever heard of something like this happening before.

Can anyone reading this shed some light on what would make a usb cord/port explode like that? Is there something wrong with our new wiring? Did our new heavy-duty surge protectors do what they were supposed to? Do we need new computer equipment or a new electrician?

Categories: Electricians
By kiddo | 05/09/2008 11:41 AM | Comment

Excellent mover/storage experience


Just wanted to let others know how pleased we were with U Santini for handling moving and storing our stuff during our renovation. They did everything we’d have wanted, in terms of taking care of our stuff, being flexible when we were repeatedly forced to postpone/change our moving-back-in date, being helpful with packing suggestions and pleasant all around. In fact it was the one completely satisfactory, smooth, and stress/regret-free aspect of our renovation experience, and for that small piece of mind we are really grateful.

Categories: Movers
By kiddo | 05/07/2008 10:12 AM | Comment

what’s this thing in wall of brownstone?


This was covered by a piece of wood and a patch of concrete on the interior brick wall of our brownstone apt. It appears to be made of a thin metal, with a curved interior, and slots leading above and below. It is nearly a foot high,
about a foot off the floor, and 3 feet from the fireplace.

Any idea what it was for? In case this matters, it’s on the third floor of a Brooklyn brownstone built in the 1870′s.

Thanks!

Categories: Excavation
By kiddo | 11/17/2007 5:40 PM | Comment