Wow!

Thanks for your prompt responses. And a special thanks to Master Plvmber for chiming in with your exper advice!

Posted by: Jas at December 5, 2007 4:06 PM in response to Lowering the return pipe for Burnham Gas-Fired Boiler

Thanks for your responses. I really don't think it's the electrical. I hope it's just stuff expanding and contracting - there are heating risers in the direction whebce the snap comes from.

Thanks!

Posted by: Jas at December 11, 2007 5:01 PM in response to Strange Noises Emanating from the Wall...

I don't know why folks would pay so much to have retail space in Carroll Gardens when they can get a space much cheaper in the South Slope, Windsor Terrace (Prospect Park West), and Kensington (Church Avenue has so much potential, little boutiques are popping up on Fort Hamilton Parway (Estelle, e.g.))

In those places the highest rents reach $50-$60/foot and you get the same amount of foot-traffic, the same kinds of residents who are craving for the little mom & pop shops in Carroll Gardens. Anyone who opens up a shop in these neighborhoods is going to make a killing!

Posted by: Jas at December 19, 2007 8:44 AM in response to A Look at Carroll Gardens Retail Rents

Thanks Brooklyn Fire Alarm Guy! I'll try it out.

Happy holidays!

Posted by: Jas at December 20, 2007 9:06 AM in response to Doorbell Transformer Buzzing

Thanks for the detailed response! I really feel like I know what I'm in for. I think I just might wait until next year, since this sounds like a process that could take 3-6 months. How long did it take for you to get your deck done from inception to finish?

My existing porch, original to the house, is likely grandfathered in and thus not subject to 3 ft. property line rules.

I believe that you're correct in the assumption that most people's decks are indeed illegal. Working with the DOB and sorting throught the bureaucracy takes a lot of time and money - resources that many homeowners are lacking.

Posted by: Jas at April 21, 2008 8:22 AM in response to Rebuilding a double porch

Thanks for the responses. I suppose it the stacked stone was stuccoed over or covered at some point, although it doesn't have that smoothed-over flat finish of typical stucco houses. The mortar in between is definitely brown, not cement, and certainly softer than cement.

Who else works with brownstone in brooklyn?

Posted by: Jas at April 22, 2008 8:05 AM in response to Repointing brownstone on our stone foundation

Hi!
I did some very limited research on this recently.

I called someone rec'd on this forum:

"Russ Eisenberg
SoClean Blasting Services, Inc.
www.socleanblasting.com
631.467.6968 (v)
631.467.5799 (f)

He's very personable and will talk you through all of the options. We used him for our house and were very pleased.

The equipment used to grind and polish a slab is VERY big and heavy, so if you have to go down many steps or do not have good access, this may not work. "

The person I spoke to was quite nice, but stated that the minimum cost of the job would be about $2500 which, although I like the look, seemed a little consumerist and excessive to me. I mean, I'd rather feed some starving children with the money I save by just painting!

And that's just the base price. If your concrete is just a thin layer or wasn't installed properly, you're looking at redoing the floor first which entails breaking up and hauling away the old floor and building a new one.

He referred me to
http://www.concretenetwork.com/
for photos and other concrete polishers.

Ultimately we've decided to go the DIY route by hiring someone to stain the floors. You buy cleaner/etcher, use it to scrub the floor, rinse, then apply the stain. The stain functions as a sealer and is more interesting than paint and far less expensive than polishing. Still haven't found a handyman to do the work, so if anyone out there has a lead, please do post it.

Posted by: Jas at May 20, 2008 9:07 AM in response to polished concrete floors

I haven't bought it or opened it to inhale the toxicity. The materials are pretty cheap - less than $200 if you inlclude a cheap paint sprayer, which is recommended for a mottled look.

Why not go to Lowe's or HD and sneak a sniff?

Posted by: Jas at May 20, 2008 9:59 PM in response to polished concrete floors

I am a homeowner, too, and typically find this behavior selfish. BUT - YOU MOVED TO BED STUY!

Did you do any research? Don't you realize that your million dollar home is surrounded by lots of renters and too many people cramped into small apartments.

If you lived in a stuffy apartment, the street would function as an extension of your living space. Shame on you for trying to evict them from space that is rightfully theirs! Just because you move in doesn't mean that you should expect your neighbors to stuff themselves into their hot, tiny apartments just so that you can enjoy yourself.

If you wanted peace and quiet you should have moved to a place with fewer low-income renters. Ever heard of Victorian Flatbush? Or Kensington? Or Windsor Terrace? All equally "affordable" options with less noise.

Posted by: Jas at June 28, 2008 11:02 AM in response to Noisy Neighbors in Bed-Stuy

http://www.concreteimpressionist.com/

Posted by: guest at May 20, 2008 9:17 AM in response to polished concrete floors

Jas: Do you know if the cleaner/etcher is dangerous to use? Can it burn your skin?
Thank you.

Posted by: guest at May 20, 2008 3:13 PM in response to polished concrete floors

I haven't bought it or opened it to inhale the toxicity. The materials are pretty cheap - less than $200 if you inlclude a cheap paint sprayer, which is recommended for a mottled look.

Why not go to Lowe's or HD and sneak a sniff?

Posted by: Jas at May 20, 2008 9:59 PM in response to polished concrete floors

I have read that the etcher/acid is extremely toxic. I'm sure it could burn your skin. It's probably burning your lungs too from the sound of it.

That said, etched concrete looks pretty cool.

Posted by: corolla at May 21, 2008 11:20 AM in response to polished concrete floors

Jas, do you have any photos? I'm looking to do the same interesting stain finish on my basement concrete floor.

Posted by: annavanlenten at May 30, 2008 5:48 PM in response to polished concrete floors

http://www.RobertRowen.com/Design

Posted by: ArtLong at June 6, 2008 7:05 AM in response to polished concrete floors

i agree with video taping them and give it to the next community meeting.

Posted by: armchairwarrior at June 28, 2008 11:38 AM in response to Noisy Neighbors in Bed-Stuy

11:02 has a point - every neighborhood has a feel to it, and you have to check it out before you move in. But the noise ordinances on the city apply to everyone, including the low income renters. I used to live in a stuffy apartment, and I didn't consider that license to create a disturbance on the street until late into the night - I considered it a reason to move to where I could afford more space. Call 311 instead on the police precinct, and keep calling. Enlist your neighbors to call if possible. The more complaints there are, the more likely that someone will take them seriously.

Posted by: guest at June 28, 2008 12:39 PM in response to Noisy Neighbors in Bed-Stuy

Jas, I am a long time Bed-Stuy resident.....I was born here. I am all too familiar with the area. The building in question has a backyard that is available to them. Cramped quarters is no excuse for noise pollution, street litter and drug use! Cramped quarters do not allow you to come and sit on MY STEPS and get upset with me when I try to walk up MY STAIRS (BTW, I live 4 doors away). Cramped quarters do not allow you to come and sit on MY CAR. I am in no way trying to suppress the "flavor" of "the hood". I just want us to respect ourselves and our homes. I want the right to the peaceful enjoyment my home.

Posted by: gymfly at June 28, 2008 12:42 PM in response to Noisy Neighbors in Bed-Stuy

Wow, Jas at 11:02, way to promote your own Victorian Flatbush neighborhood. If the OP was a panicky uptight suburban mommy type like you then they would not have chosen Bed Stuy in the first place, you're right.

Here's the truth OP, if you want to know it: homeowners and tenants absolutely are working on these issues in their neighborhoods. They've been doing it for decades now. Thus the huge progress in much of Brooklyn. As bad as some things might be it's NOTHING like it was before. And the progress will continue. You can help out and be a part of it.

Posted by: guest at June 28, 2008 12:49 PM in response to Noisy Neighbors in Bed-Stuy