Stoop: Re-surface or just patch?


The stairs of our brownstone stoop have several clips and holes, apparently from salting the steps, and some are deep. But most of the surface is fine, including the landings.
Does anyone have advice on whether it is okay to just patch the holes as a stopgap measure for a few years and if so, with what material?
Or should we bite the bullet and resurface the stairs for $3,000?

Categories: Exterior
By lavioletta | 06/13/2008 11:44 AM | Comment

How to reinforce support columns in cellar?


Can anyone weigh in on whether it is a good idea to reinforce brick support columns in a brownstone cellar by injecting them with cement? A contractor recommended this in addition to repointing. The support columns definitely need some strengthening — our brownstone is more than 100 years old — but this is the first we had heard of this procedure.

Categories: Cellar
By lavioletta | 05/21/2008 2:22 PM | Comment