Is This a Termite????


dear all….

Is this a termite? Please say no. And if it’s a yes, recommendations for mitigating the problem?

Thanks very much

Categories: Construction
By pacJ | 05/28/2011 11:01 AM | Comment

Sash Kits


Dear all

I wanted to share a positive experience we had with Windows Are We. They replaced all of our windows–landmarked in the front, not in the back using sash kits. They look really good, they did it when they said they would, and cleaned up after themselves. All in all, I would recommend these guys. All in all, a good experience.
Jp

Categories: Windows
By pacJ | 04/03/2011 2:00 PM | Comment

Chimney Cleaning


hello all. I’m sure this has been addressed on this forum, but as it is not searchable, I have to ask again. How does one know when it’s time to have the chimney swept? What are the symptoms?

Thanks in advance!
Jp

Categories: Chimney
By pacJ | 03/29/2011 11:54 AM | Comment

Caserta Vecchia


Anyone know what happened to this place? We need good pizza in Boerum Hill!

Categories: News/Commentary
By pacJ | 09/29/2010 4:08 PM | Comment

Wires and More Wires


Dear all,

Like many of you, we have a huge number of what I think are primarily wires for cable service running from the pole in the backyard to the house. I know for a fact that many of them are simply dead, and have been for a long time. The pole itself has literally dozens of splitters etc…with wires coming out of them. It seems like Verizon and or Time Warner installs new wires every time people get service and leave the old wires there. I may be wrong about this, but the bottom line is: How do we get rid of all these f–king wires?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Jp

By pacJ | 03/15/2010 1:23 PM | Comment

Rats under the sidewalk?


Hello all

A bluestone panel of the sidewalk in front of our house appears to have a progressive problem with the earth beneath it disappearing (or apparently so). The grout between this panel and those adjacent to it is also developing holes. I put a lot of sand into the hole, and it doesn’t help for very long. My neighbor experienced the same thing and she was informed that rats were the culprit. They lifted the panel and put in concrete and ground glass and that solved the problem. Does this sound reasonable to anyone? Does anyone know what the composite of glass and concrete is called and where I could find some?

Thanks in advance for any insights…

Categories: Masonry
By pacJ | 06/01/2009 1:27 PM | Comment

Cost of sidewalk repair?


We need to level the bluestone sidewalk in front of our house. I’ve gotten estimates that range from $7000 to $2000. The latter seems more appropriate, but I’m totally ignorant of what this sort of thing costs. All that’s required is to lift the panels, add some gravel, and raise the curb a bit. Any ideas about the right ball park?

By pacJ | 03/26/2009 9:26 AM | Comment

A-LB Kitchen Cabinet and Stone


Anyone know anything about this company? I’m redoing my kitchen, and they were recommended.

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By pacJ | 02/12/2009 5:46 PM | Comment

Is my hot water heater dying?


Two things: first, a brownish particulate accumulates in the screen of the showerhead. I have to clean it every couple of weeks; second, last night, we ran out of hot water, and the cold water that came out at the end left a reddish residue on the floor of the shower. Is this as ominous as it sounds? What does a new one cost (large enough for a family of 3 in the upper duplex of a 4 story brownstone)? Thanks for any insight

Categories: Plumbing
By pacJ | 02/05/2009 8:26 AM | Comment

Kitchen Designer


My kitchen, all 100 square feet of it, is in dire need of renovation.
As a first step, I want to find a designer to help me figure out how
to efficiently utilize the space; it is currently not very well
designed. Does anyone have a name for me?

Thanks

Categories: Renovation
By pacJ | 12/30/2008 2:59 PM | Comment