November 20, 2009

Plumbing Estimate High?

I just got an estimate from my plumber: Disconnect and remove one toilet and two sinks and file with DOB- $1500. Am I out of touch. or is this not high?
Thanks for any input or recs for another plumber....

November 19, 2009

Hot Water Problem!

Hi,

We live on the top two floors of a Brownstone (in Harlem)...sorry, I know this is a Brooklyn blog, but not sure where else to ask.

We have hot water, however, it tends to run luke warm after 30 seconds or so. Turning it off and on again does the same thing - hot, then luke warm.

Any ideas what this could be? We just bought the place a week ago and the old owners had a new boilder installed not too long ago.

Also, can anybody recommend a plumber who can look at this?

Much appreciated :)

Broken Sewer Main

My sewer main is broken. After having it snaked and jetted. There seems to be a crack in the pipe 27 to 30 feet out in the middle of the street. Has anyone used Alex Figilioa Water and Sewer before?

November 18, 2009

Faucet-Installing Mom Update

My coop's not-so-competent handyman is knocking on my door as I asked him to install kitchen faucet. But I am hiding from him... I mentioned the faucet to our super yesterday & he said I was crazy to have him do it. Super said I should say I wasn't going to be home & he would find someone to do on handyman's day off. Apparently everyone thinks he is incompetent but he has been there for 35 years & is in the union. Supers says only way he is going out is for his funeral. Also said he wouldn't fit under my sink. Oye...

November 15, 2009

American Standard In Stock?

I want to pick up my new American Standard kitchen faucet tomorrow (I found it online; it is under $100 & looks pretty standard). Who has the best inventory nr Prospect Heights? Is there a Home Depot that has more stock than another? Never been to the Bed-Stuy one, but that is most convenient. TIA

November 13, 2009

Venting Sink

We have a sink with no vent. It had one originally going all the way to the roof but someone disconnected it and filled the vent with tar.

The sink waste line does connect to the main waste line in the house, which I presume/hope!!! has its own vent.

Do we need to vent this sink, and how do we do it, who does it, and how many billions will it cost? The sink is near an outside wall.

Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

My husband, a not-so-handy architect, thinks we need to have our not-so-competent handyman install our new kitchen faucet. Isn't it pretty simple? Can't anybody (like me) do it?

November 12, 2009

Hot water problem. Help!

We recently bought an apt, top two floors of a Brownstone and noticed last night that the hot water in the bathroom runs hot for 10 seconds or so then runs cold. If I try it again a few minutes later the same thing happens. Hot, then cold. Had to do this a dozen times last night just to have a bath!

The previous owners had a brand new boiler installed recently, but I believe the hot water heater is around 10 years old.

Any advice much appreciated :)

Thanks!

P.S If the problem is the HW heater, how much does it cost to replace it?

November 10, 2009

New Boiler for 8 Unit Coop

Looks like we need to replace the boiler in our building...it's an 8 unit coop (each unit is approximately 1,000 square feet). Any sense of what this is going to cost us? Any ideas about working with National Grid to get a credit for energy efficiency? Thanks for any ideas.

Water Temp Variation Question

My upstairs tenant is reporting fluctuations in shower temperature (too hot/cold) when someone else is taking a shower at the same time. That apartment is equipped with a circa 1970s or 80s shower body with 2 separate knobs to control water temp.

Any suggestions on how to address this? Gracias.

Forum: Plumbing