BklynJace's Profile
- 1995
- 2005
- Brooklyn
- Brooklyn Heights
- Co-op
- Male
- 38
Author's Posts
December 3, 2007
Architect for Consultation re Codes
My wife and I have had off- and on-again negotiations about acquiring basement space adjacent to the lower level of our apartment. Our apartment (a duplex) was redone years before we bought it, apparently on the sly, and doesn't have a C of O.
We'd always figured that if we expanded the apartment we'd take care of the C of O problem as part of that process. But before embarking on such a project, I'd like to get a better sense of the possible code/permit problems we might face, from making the earlier work legit to showstoppers such as the possibility that our current downstairs doesn't meet the definition of an English basement, and we should lay low in our dubiously legal living space instead of trying to expand it. (I think we're fine, but I'm no expert.)
Does anyone have a recommendation for an architect who could do such consulting? And any idea what such a consultation might cost? Any advice very much appreciated!
Author's Comments
Long story; it was worth it. If anyone has an architect who could help put things right, and/or cost estimates, it'd be much appreciated.
Posted by: BklynJace at December 4, 2007 1:31 PM in response to Architect for Consultation re Codes
Dave 718-986-2200.
Posted by: BklynJace at January 17, 2008 1:33 PM in response to Can You Recommend a Tiler?
The first time I drove by those houses on my way to LGA, my head snapped around. "What are those?" I wanted to know -- and was amazed to find out they (specifically, and the larger site in general) weren't being used for anything.
Over the years I've been in cabs with a fair number of out-of-town folks, and their reaction has always been the same. "What are those? ... They're just sitting there? Really?"
Seems like buildings that turn heads like that shouldn't be hastened out of the way. There have to be other ways to get a supermarket.
Posted by: BklynJace at January 18, 2008 1:18 PM in response to Officers’ Row Supermarket Not Happening Anytime Soon
Looks great!
Would love to hear more about the lights. What kind? What do you use them for? How bright at night? Have been trying to figure out how to tackle lighting for our own garden project -- want to put a wooden fence over chain-link mess, but then it'll be quite dark at night and fear the upstairs neighbors will get worried....
Posted by: BklynJace at June 2, 2008 12:21 PM in response to Garden of the Day: Serenity Now in Cobble Hill
Be advised that if you have a backflow valve (one-way valve, etc.) you may need to get it serviced periodically -- our valve "froze" in the open position and we got nailed last summer. I've settled on every six months as the proper frequency. (Frantically knocks wood.)
Posted by: BklynJace at June 16, 2008 12:02 PM in response to Basement waterproofing
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Hey Steve: You weren't an idiot for going out in the rain with a flashlight to see what was really going on with the water. That was smart. Of course, you'll really be an idiot if next time you don't bring bring a seat and a six-pack. Better yet get someone else to do it. You had your lesson in flood management.
Posted by: guest at June 16, 2008 2:48 PM in response to Basement waterproofing
I don't have the chops to assess your plan, but a word of warning on check valves: Don't go to sleep on the maintenance. Ours protected us for three years (we have a bathroom below grade that floods in backflow situations), but failed in the July and August floods. The problem: The valve got stuck in the "open" position, leaving us unprotected.
It had been checked last spring, so obviously 15 months is too long to let it go. Now I'm opening the hatch every so often to figure out how often it needs maintenance to keep the hinge from freezing.
Maybe this is obvious, but if it helps anyone from getting flooded, I figured it was worth it.
Posted by: BklynJace at August 24, 2007 12:27 PM in response to My Idea for Fixing Water Intrusion in Basement. Thoughts?