Forum

Plumber

Ysabelle — 2009-11-07T11:06:25-05:00

I nee a licensed plumber to remove a heating pipe and cap it off.
My building has to shut the water in the basement to drain the pipe.
They insist I do this job with a licensed plumber.

It is in a condo apartment in manhattan.

Thank you

handyman for window repair?

frogger — 2009-11-07T09:20:31-05:00

My house has crappy 30 year old windows that are on their last legs. I'm a year or two away from being ready to replace them. For the moment, there are two that need immediate attention -- off their tracks and leaking lots of cold air. Any recs on someone who might be able to get them back on track and closed tight?

Stairs to Roof - Change C of O?

Dr Dean Franklin — 2009-11-07T06:45:42-05:00

We have a pretty run-of-the-mill 3 family brownstone. The roof is currently accessed via a scuttle in the common hallway. We are seeking to replace the scuttle with a staircase and bulkhead, and have filed plans showing this with the DOB. The examiner at the DOB gave us an objection, and is maintaining that the replacement of the scuttle with a staircase to the roof constitutes a change of egress and will require that we change the C of O for the building. My architect and expediter think this is crazy and are trying to get a reconsideration from DOB. Curious as to what anyone else thinks. Any opinions or suggestions out there on how we should handle this? Thanks.

Heating system not auto filling

PongyN — 2009-11-06T21:22:03-05:00

I have a Weil-Mclain heating system. I just turned it on for the first time this season. It worked fine for a few hours but when I checked after 3 hours, the gauge glass was empty. The system was simply not refilling automatically. What could be wrong? I'm really heating system illiterate so please explain in non-jargon! Thanks.

New Windows

HoneyCom — 2009-11-06T19:06:11-05:00

Has anyone used Universal Window in Corona, Capri Aluminum in Ridgewood, or Bay Ridge Windows and Doors?
thanks.

Restoring Bricked-in Fireplace?

kissiffer4 — 2009-11-06T15:43:49-05:00

Hi,

We recently purchased a gut renovated brownstone duplex apartment(done in 1994) and the living room and dining room (above each other) have bricked in fire places. I can see the outline of cement where the bricks have been placed.

Would it be possible to have the fireplace reopened and made functional once again? Any advice would be much appreciated as I know very little about this sort of thing! (and will eventually consult an expert...)

Thanks!

Wooden Cornice Ornaments

minasimon — 2009-11-06T13:52:35-05:00

The vertical wooden ornamented supports holding our cornice is damaged. The details resemble acanthus leaves, rolls and dolphin tails. Does anyone know of a source so we can try to match and replace as needed? We'll file with Landmarks but anything has got to look better than our mishmash.

Clogged (New) Dishwasher?

Ghostnote — 2009-11-06T13:14:12-05:00

Hi all. I just moved into a new place, with a brand new dishwasher. The building is a pre-war condo conversion... so the plumbing is all new, as are the appliances.
My roommate used the dishwasher yesterday, and this morning we noticed an inch or two of water just hanging around on the bottom, not draining. I've removed the filter and whatever else I see there, but no action.
Any advice? Is there something I need to know about first-time dishwashing? Could it be the plumbing? (Everything else works fine, plumbing-wise, in my apt and the building as a whole, as far as I can tell...)

Where to Post to Sell Condo?

BAG — 2009-11-06T12:25:45-05:00

Folks,
Where's some good places to post a Park Slope condo for sale? I'm about to sell mine, and am casting around for ideas.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Radiators for Sale

BAG — 2009-11-06T11:46:07-05:00

I have 23 art deco era radiators for sale. They are different sizes, all in very good condition. Prices range from $75-100. You pick up. Located in Gowanus/Park Slope at Brooklyn Artists Gym (www.brooklynartistsgym.com).

Leaking Radiator?

thisoldhome — 2009-11-06T11:26:41-05:00

First time posting, any help, suggestions, experiences would greatly appreciated. Oct.2007 winter heating fine, Oct.08 winter fine, spring 09, saw water spot on garden level. understand that it's coming from radiator above (front parlor).

Radiator turned on for this season, water started to drip.

Opened ceiling last week with GC. Can't find anything, radiator area dried up due to heat. We changed valve to see if that might be it.

Nothing happened till this morning, (almost a week later) water started dripping again.

GC mentioned if it's not the valve, then he have to replace the whole radiator which would cost a few thousand.

Thank you,
christina

Furnace or Thermostat Issues

gates_ave — 2009-11-06T09:54:16-05:00

My furnace is not turning off. The temp is kept at around 68-70. Two days ago, I woke up to 82 degrees due to the furnace not stopping, thermostat was set to 68. I shut the heat off from the thermostat and reset it. Yesterday, I replaced the batteries. This evening, I turned on the heat and it kick off and continued to run up to 7 degrees, even when the thermostat was set at 68. Again I set the thermostat to off and reset it. This was not an issue back in early October, when we go some cold days, the furnace/thermostat was running ok for about 1-2 weeks. Any ideas? or Technician recommendations?

ISO Great Tailor in FG/CH

Crumpler — 2009-11-06T09:42:23-05:00

I have a DWR upholstered couch with cushions that have a couple tears and need mending. I've spoken to reweavers and they cannot fix--they suggested a tailor. Anyone have a great one, who speaks English, who will put the proper time into repairing these (I don't want a hack job done). Thanks!

Contractors & Chauvinism

argentina — 2009-11-05T22:03:46-05:00

Chauvinism is bad for business.

The second largest group to purchase homes, after married couples,are single women. On my block alone at least a third of the homeowners are single women. BTW this is the group that by and large started CHNA which spearheaded the Landmarking of Crown Heights North...yes the core group (the Board) was mainly women.

While it may seem archaic to post on gender inequality the fact remains that in spite of our buying power many contractors/building supply vendors make inappropriate remarks and behave in offensive ways that frankly will continue to loose them business, at least mine.

Todays's event prompted this post.

During a transaction at the electrical supply store on Rogers and Licoln Place in response to my question on price, the proprietor made a comment about women ,trying to be jokey I guess.

THen his assistant said: "Want me to beat her?"and chuckled.

I could hardly believe it.

"Excuse me...what did you say?"

"oh...maybe I should get my whip...ha ha"

"THis is not amusing...joking about violence against women is not funny....it's offensive and you are out of line"

He got very tense, stopped laughing and the owner stepped in and apologized, then the staff member who said it apologized ...

In the past weeks while this current renovation has been underway some of the comments made by folks interviewed:

"Don't need to worry your pretty little head about that" (not hired)

"You look so delicate"(not hired)

"Oh you seem like you have a brain and know what your are talking about" (lol NOT HIRED this guy had the thickest Bensonhurst accent imaginable)

"linda...sweetheart"(not hired)

One friend shared that a contractor actually made a physical pass at her while she interviewed him for roof replacement...this woman owns a couple of apartment BUILDINGS plus her own brownstone...she was mortified and he was not hired.

This is not everyone but the lack of awareness is common enough amongst contractors'& vendors' and prompted this post.

Boiler Repair Company

staceys — 2009-11-05T19:34:58-05:00

Can anyone recommend a good boiler repair company?

Our boiler shuts off and when we relight the pilot it makes a loud boom.