Water Heater Replacement or Addition


Hi All-

We’re in a bit of a bind and could use some advice. A bit of background: We have a four-family home with a total of 7 adults and 2 kids living here. We have a 50-gallon water heater that until now has been just OK. Now it’s not–people are probably showering all at once and the hot water is not holding. This is not a shocker but we do need to fix it ASAP as the tenants are COLD!

The boiler room has a low ceiling (7.5 feet?). One plumber told us that we will have to buy two 50-gallon heaters since the one we have will not be compatible with a new one. He also said that a bigger tank 75 gallon plus would not fit because it would be too tall.

First of all: Has anyone been in a similar situation and how did you fix it?

Second of all: Any specific recommendations for plumbers who have dealt with water heater evaluation/replacement?

Your help is MUCH appreciated, as always, as we really want to take care of this quickly but don’t know where to turn….

Categories: Plumbing
By maribrooklyn | 02/09/2011 11:45 AM | Comment

Eco-Friendly Toilet?


I am in the market for a new throne! I would like to get a water saving toilet. My budget goes up to $350. I understand that all toilet now produced use only 1.6 gallons per flush. Does that make them new toilets ‘green’. I would appreciate any suggestions.

My preference is to get a pressure assisted toilet but I have never owned one. How do they stand up to gravity driven toilets. I am also interested in a dual flush toilet. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Best regards!

Categories: Plumbing
By maribrooklyn | 01/19/2010 9:40 AM | Comment

Air Quality Assessment


Thank you to all who helped us recently with asbestos-related questions. Unfortunately, we did not get the house we were hoping to buy, so we are going to plan B, which is to switch our basement-level tv room into a toddler’s bedroom.

So here’s our dilemma: We have allergies in our family and the basement feels ok but a bit musty perhaps. We’d like to get someone to come and “test the air quality” if such a person/thing exists.

We’re also thinking about an air purifier/filter/HEPA device like the rabbit air. Pricey. Is it worth it?

Does anyone have any suggestions, BTDT, or recommendations for making this renovated basement level as clean as possible? People or processes to consider?

(A bit more info: The tv room where our toddler will be sleeping has a full-sized door that leads only to a skylight hatch that can be propped open. This is the only source of air in the basement level.)

Many thanks!

Categories: Environmental
By maribrooklyn | 11/03/2009 11:18 AM | Comment

Asbestos Removal Question


We are hoping to close soon on a south slope two-family. during the inspection it was discovered that the pipes in the basement are all wrapped in asbestos. the seller has agreed to remove/abate and pay for it, but doesn’t want to do it until after the tenants move out, which is 60 days, right around the closing.

Does anyone have any advice or companies I could call myself to see if this is indeed a harmful process or if it could be completed while tenants are still occupying the building?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Categories: Environmental, Renovation
By maribrooklyn | 09/23/2009 11:48 AM | Comment

Park Slope South


My wife and I are trying to purchase a property in South Slope. We have an accepted offer on a property in South Slope/Greenwood. It is a two-family in the 600k’s, which is structurally sound but needs cosmetic work (think Grandma’s house). Does anyone have some comps for properties in this area? Other advice? How is life there? We’re moving from Clinton Hill strictly for improved schools. Thanks in advance.

Categories: Real Estate
By maribrooklyn | 08/27/2009 6:17 PM | Comment

Chrysotile Recommendation


Hi All-
We are trying to re-do our basement and brownstone common hallway stairs (4 floors total) and I recently submitted a lab report and found 45% chrysotile in the old linoleum. The asbestos is in the fibers in the glue, not the tile itself. I’ve read that the best thing to do is to just replace over it (in this case, we’re going to put carpet), which I think is fine for the common hallway. However, our homemade basement steps are kind of crumbly and spots are coming up, leading me to believe covering it up won’t be the best idea. Any thoughts? Anyone BTDT? Thanks in advance!

Categories: Floors
By maribrooklyn | 08/05/2009 10:04 AM | Comment

Linoleum Repost


Hi All-

So we’re still struggling with renovating our common brownstone hallway. Marmoleum is out of our price range. We’d like a material that will last, but can’t seem to find anywhere in NYC to buy commercial grade linoleum in a roll (only tiles). Has anyone done a similar renovation? Any suggestions? Many thanks!

Categories: Floors
By maribrooklyn | 05/16/2009 4:49 PM | Comment

ISO good flooring store


Hi All-

We’re looking to buy some linoleum flooring for the common hallway of a brownstone. We can only find these rolls for special order at HD and Lowe’s. Anyone know where we could buy a roll of good quality, colored linoleum (the kind with the specks) that might even be made with recyclable materials (probably a stretch but I do know that Armstrong makes some) locally?
Many thanks!

By maribrooklyn | 05/10/2009 2:30 PM | Comment

Asbestos and Linoleum Flooring


Hi All-

We would like to replace an awful, graying, aged linoleum floor that is in the public hallway of our brownstone. Problem is, it is probably from the 60′s and we’re thinking it must have asbestos. How would you go about dealing with this? We are thinking the easiest way would be to just put a new floor on top of this one, but I’m wondering if that’s a bad solution structurally? How much should something like this cost?

Thanks for your help!!

m

Categories: Floors
By maribrooklyn | 04/20/2009 8:41 PM | Comment