Liberty Sunset Garden Center


I heard the Liberty Sunset Garden Center in Red Hook was having a going out of business sale in the month of March. Too bad, it was a great place. Does anybody know, it is now closed? The phone has been disconnected.

Categories: Garden
By sourgrapes | 04/02/2011 3:39 PM | Comment

Boiler Not Firing


After many tries, I’m not getting my boiler to fire up. Like I do every year, I gave it a good flush, set the thermostat, lit the pilot and flipped the on switch. Nothing. The pilot is staying lit, and power is going to the boiler. Not sure what else I can try before calling in a professional. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any advice on who to call for a problem like this? Is this plumber territory, or more likely an electrical problem?

Categories: Heating
By sourgrapes | 10/12/2010 8:23 AM | Comment

Stoop Sweeper Needed Asap


We live right on the edge of BedStuy and Bushwick. We need somebody to sweep out stoop everyday and curb the trash twice a week. If anybody has any suggestions, they’d be much appreciated.
Thanks!

Categories: Maintenance
By sourgrapes | 08/30/2010 9:11 AM | Comment

Avoid Anse Iron Work


This guy Anse quoted me a reasonable price to install some iron security bars on a window in my brownstone. He told me he could do the job on Wednesday , two days from when I called him. He showed up that same day ready to do the work. Okay, miscommunication, no biggie. We rescheduled for the original date agreed upon. I sent him an email with the dimensions and photos of the window. No response. I called him the morning of the job to confirm, no answer. I called three or four times until I finally reached him. He said he couldn’t make it that day and demanded that I send him a check (in full) before he did any of the work. This guy was disorganized and super sketchy. AVOID!!!

Categories: Iron
By sourgrapes | 08/25/2010 12:18 PM | Comment

Please ID this Monster Plant


Can anyone help me identify this monster plant growing in my garden? When it first started growing, I thought it was a sunflower, since I planted a few seeds throughout my garden. Now, it’s clear that it isn’t. It is about four and a half feet tall with a thick branching stem, long smooth edged leaves and now these white 2″ long inflorescences. A weed? I’m pretty sure I didn’t plant it, but I throw a lot of different seeds in the ground every year.
Anybody know?

Categories: Garden
By sourgrapes | 06/21/2010 9:45 AM | Comment

Brownstone paint


The front of my brownstone had been painted years ago with a slightly textured paint. Over the years, many areas of the brownstone had degraded and I have had them chipped out and rebuilt. My contractor is now ready to prime and repaint the entire surface of the facade. He is recommending an option of either a Benjamin Moore exterior latex paint, Dunhams “Dunit” exterior latex paint, or a Thorocoat textured paint. Since the surface already has a texture, I think he is encouraging the Thorocoat so that the repaired areas match the previously painted areas. Any opinions on the subject? I know the general consensus on painting over brownstone is that it is akin to original sin, but this repair is what the budget would allow. For the brownstone painters out there, what coatings have you used and what do you recommend?

Categories: Facade
By sourgrapes | 11/11/2009 10:27 AM | Comment

Home Equity Line of Credit


I’m considering applying for a Home Equity Line of Credit as I am starting some renovations on my 3 family in Brooklyn. Anybody out there have opinions of the pros and cons of such an operation, and the risks involved? Any experiences good or bad?

Categories: Mortgage
By sourgrapes | 11/10/2009 10:45 AM | Comment

Amigini Architectural


Has anyone out there used Amighini Architectural in Jersey City for restored front entry doors? They seem to have a large selection and offer installation services as well. Any reports good or bad?

Categories: Architectural Salvage
By sourgrapes | 10/05/2009 2:34 PM | Comment

Beadboard Question


I plan on installing a beadboard ceiling in my kitchen. We are planning to use pine 3″ tongue and groove boards. Dykes sells these in long lengths, up to 12′ I think. However, my kitchen is long and skinny like a bowling alley. Over 20′ long. I want th ceiling to run parallel to the floor, the long way. So, I have to have seams somewhere on the butt ends of the beadboard planks. How do I hide the seams? I know I should stagger the boards so the cut ends don’t line up. If I make sure the butt ends fall in the middle of a joist and nail the plank up, then putty the seam with a flexible filler, is this enough to hide the seams? Or should I create some sort of lap joint on the ends? Overkill?
Would love some input from someone that has done this before.
Thanks!

Categories: Carpentry
By sourgrapes | 06/26/2009 3:08 PM | Comment

Greenboard


Dumb question. Is greenboard moisture resistant on both sides?

By sourgrapes | 06/16/2009 9:24 PM | Comment