gt's Profile
Author's Posts
November 22, 2007
Exterminator that can ID bug
There was a swarm of winged bugs on my wooden fence this afternoon. I then looked under a pile of leaves and there was even more on the ground. I captured some in a plastic bag and would like to bring it to an exterminator to be identified.
Can anyone recommend someone. I prefer to bring the bugs to the exterminator.
Thanks.
GT
October 28, 2007
Fall maintenance/Preparing for winter
For the past few years, in preparation for winter, I've done the following maintenance around the house during the weekend of day light savings:
turn off the water line leading to the backyard spigot
clean gutters
check the window calking
change the smoke alarm batteries
And if I'm feeling really ambitious I'll also clean out the bath tub trap
What else do folks do to prepare for winter?
GT
October 11, 2007
Cost to install sewer trap and clean out.
The clean out for my sewer line is located at the back of my basement. During the last 7 years I've had to have the line cleaned out 4 times and each time the line was snaked, the snake had travel 30 feet to get out of my basement and into the roots underneath my sidewalk. Every time the sewer backs up I tell myself I'm going to get a clean out trap put in the front of the house.
One quote was for $1050 to install the sewer trap, clean out, and air vent. The plumber recommended a contractor to break up the concrete section--3 feet by 4 feet and "punch" the hole in my basement wall to vent the sewer line. The quote for the concrete work was $1700 obringing the total to $2750.
Can anyone recommend a plumber for this work--
Thanks.
GT
Author's Comments
J & L Landscaping on Caton Avenue, you can google the number.
They fixed my stoop, and my neighbor liked the work and hired them to redo their sidewalk. they did a great job and took care of the permits.
They charged $1500 for a 17 foot long sidewalk with one tree pit. This was last August.
I plan to use them again in the future.
Gideon
Posted by: gt at July 10, 2008 6:35 PM in response to Please help: need contractor licensed w/DOT
What did you do? I'd be curious to hear.
GT
Posted by: gt at November 30, 2007 7:20 AM in response to Ouch: I think I need a new sewer main. Any BKLYN plumbers use a "trenchless" system?
Have J&L Landscaping take a look.
You can google their number. They are on Caton Avenue.
GT
Posted by: gt at November 29, 2007 6:58 PM in response to Recommendations for stoop repair
I looked in the Yellow Pages and found a company called Midwood Exterminating Co. I picked it becausse they advertised having "a do it yourself supermarket."
I arrived, showed the person the bugs in the zip lock bag, and he said, "They're not termites or carpenter ants. Just ants with wings." Then he explained that it was an ant because it had three sections--"a chest, waist, and ass." Then he explained how termites have longer wings.
Then he said the ants came out because they got confused by the warm weather and that termites only come out in the spring.
What a relief.
GT
Posted by: gt at November 25, 2007 4:02 PM in response to Exterminator that can ID bug
I stopped paying $350 for sewer cleaning last year. Pay $49.95 now. I was leary at first, but now recommend them after using them. No complaints.
GT
Posted by: gt at November 23, 2007 5:08 PM in response to Coda: Flooding last night in Clinton Hill basement
Yes, they were winged ants. I looked online but couldn't tell if they were termites or not.
They were swarming outside and in the dirt under my backyard steps.
The bugs died in the bag, but I'm looking to bring it to an exterminator tomorrow to be identified.
GT
Posted by: gt at November 23, 2007 4:27 PM in response to Exterminator that can ID bug
J and L Landscaping.
They are on Caton Avenue and you can google the phone number.
They did my stoop and his sidewalk.
Fast, and professional.
GT
Posted by: gt at November 21, 2007 6:26 AM in response to recommend a sidewalk guy?
Here's a video deomonstrating the process.
http://www.collins.co.uk/Default.aspx?article=7879
GT
Posted by: gt at November 11, 2007 7:18 PM in response to Bleeding radiators
It's really easy. Here's a link to a diagram.
http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/omfax/DoncasterIRB/BleedingaRadiator.htm
I learned how to bleed the radiator after watching a plumber bleed them after changing some piping. The plumber gave me the "key" needed to open the radiator and I have used it a number of times since.
GT
Posted by: gt at November 11, 2007 6:48 PM in response to Bleeding radiators
My neighbor once told me that she got a discount because she changed her windows in the winter.
Posted by: gt at October 28, 2007 2:39 PM in response to Winter Windows
I've recommended John Hlad to coworkers. He's been around and knows old equipment. He's listed.
GT
Posted by: gt at October 27, 2007 11:44 PM in response to hot water heater not working
Thanks 5:13 for the explanation.
I also found the answers to my question at this website:
http://www.ssbx.org/greenroofs.html
The website, for those who are interested, is for an organization that creates green roofs in the Bronx, and shows photos of all the steps involved in creating a green roof.
Very interestiing.
GT
Posted by: gt at October 20, 2007 5:24 PM in response to Green Roof
The roof looks great.
I've always had a question about a green roof. How does the water get off the roof? I don't mean to sound simplistic, but where does the excess water travel once the soil is saturated? Does the water travel along the tarred roof to the gutter?
Thanks.
GT
Posted by: gt at October 20, 2007 4:52 PM in response to Green Roof
Call 311.
Posted by: gt at October 16, 2007 6:22 AM in response to A tree falls in brooklyn
Thanks Drew.
GT
Posted by: gt at October 14, 2007 1:15 AM in response to Cost to install sewer trap and clean out.
J & L Landscaping did my stoop and my neighbors sidewalk that had a tree.
17 feet long, $1500 and completed in half a day.
GT
Posted by: gt at October 11, 2007 8:09 PM in response to Sidewalks and bulging tree roots
Drew,
This is off topic, what did you do to get the DEP to look at your and/or your neighbor's wasteline? Were you charged?
As for plumbers, try John Hlad, they are expensive, but they have always been straightshhooters as far as their work is concerned.
GT
Posted by: gt at October 7, 2007 9:51 PM in response to Waste Line Leak
BTW it is a brick stoop.
GT
Posted by: gt at September 29, 2007 7:46 AM in response to mason/contractor recommendations
J& L Landscaping rebuilt my stoop and I was very pleased with their work.
They are located on Caton Place in Kennsington. Larry is the contact person.
GT
Posted by: gt at September 29, 2007 7:45 AM in response to mason/contractor recommendations
I used J and L also 4 years ago. They were great. I used them because the lawn was not level and I didn't know anything about lawn matainance.
For the past 3 years I've reseeded in the fall and watered regularly so the grass would grow. I have had grass every year.
Good luck.
Posted by: gt at September 26, 2007 5:36 PM in response to Cost to install grass?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
OP here: Geekspice, check out the post below for the costs and the recipe.
http://reclaimedhome.com/?p=415
Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 4:51 PM in response to Green Roof
I got the GreenGrid pricelist recently, and thought that it was closer to $6 to $7/sq foot for materials. I'm thinking about doing it in the spring. Has anyone had a structural engineer evaluate their roof before putting a lot of weight up there? (i.e. green roof, deck or AC unit)
Posted by: Heatherie at October 24, 2007 9:54 AM in response to Green Roof
The most common problem with that unit comes from its automatic shut off feature when the pressure drops below 12psi.
Check the pressure gauge. If it's low, add water.
Posted by: Master Plvmber at October 28, 2007 1:54 AM in response to hot water heater not working
A brand new water heater with a 10-year guarantee is under $1000 installed. (I paid $600 installed from Keyspan 3 years ago.) Not sure it makes sense to spend a few hundred to fix one that is on the way out.
Posted by: guest at October 28, 2007 9:30 AM in response to hot water heater not working
But it's also a combo including the boiler to heat the house, 9:30 am, if you read the OP's post. A boiler does not cost only $1000 to replace.
Posted by: guest at October 28, 2007 10:33 AM in response to hot water heater not working
well, we had our windows changed in winter, wasn't that bad at all... but then we're a wee bit nutz!
Posted by: bren at October 28, 2007 6:38 PM in response to Winter Windows
I recommend Al from ADCO. He's great, not sure if he can help, but he installed our hot water heater and boiler for us and I'd recommend him highly! 718.645.8080
Posted by: honeycut at October 31, 2007 9:24 PM in response to hot water heater not working
I have several heatmaker boilers in my buildings, email me at 87112f@gmail.com and I will guide you through it.
Good luck,
jay
Posted by: guest at November 10, 2007 2:42 PM in response to hot water heater not working
Correction. I gave you my old email address.
I have several heatmaker boilers in my buildings, email me at 24032f@gmail.com and I will guide you through it.
Good luck,
jay
Posted by: guest at November 10, 2007 2:46 PM in response to hot water heater not working
Here's a video deomonstrating the process.
http://www.collins.co.uk/Default.aspx?article=7879
GT
Posted by: gt at November 11, 2007 7:18 PM in response to Bleeding radiators
Premadas,
What did they do during the assessment?
Gideon
Posted by: gt at July 18, 2008 7:16 AM in response to Sessa Plumbing...Diamond Club?