A hissing steam vent is broken. A cold radiator with a silent vent usually means that the vent is full of water. Replace the hissing air vents with Gorton or Jacobus C or D for large radiators. For a small radiator, a Hoffman #40 is sufficient.

Posted by: Mansfield at October 31, 2009 12:12 AM in response to Hissing, But No Heat

There are specimens of the Asian long-horned beetle in the Audobon Center in Prospect Park. They are formidable in appearance, nothing like the delicate insect in the photo.

Posted by: Mansfield at June 8, 2009 11:42 PM in response to name that bug!

The impetus for down-zoning was the spate of tear-downs changing the character and density of long established communities. When someone buys a home in a neighborhood of single family homes, isn't it a reasonable expectation that the house next door will not be replaced by a monolithic multi-storey structure blocking its air and light? Much of this city is a heat-sink of concrete and asphalt. We should cherish the few green villages left, not begrudge their existence.

p.s. Most of Victorian Flatbush is gaining Bishop Crooks lights. However, the eastern boundary, Bedford Ave. from Glenwood Rd to Foster Ave., has been excluded because some staff member of the Borough President's office used a unofficial, incomplete map as the basis for the contract.

Posted by: Mansfield at April 1, 2009 5:11 PM in response to New Retro Lampposts for Victorian Flatbush

In spite of its name South Midwood is a late Victorian community( approx. 1899-1910) NORTH of what is now called Midwood (originally Nottingham, Manhattan Park, et al). South Midwood is largely bordered by Glenwood Rd, Foster Ave., Bedford Ave and E. 21 St). There are three churches in the community: two are Gothic and one Romanesque with a touch of Arts & Crafts detailing. There are no synagogues, either traditional or modern. CB14 voted against the granting of an oversize variance for the Japanese temple because the plans submitted to the board were incomplete. Many board members also expressed puzzlement at the "out of context" design of the structure: a two storey rectangle with rounded front entrance, flat roof, and an exterior of white metal.
BSA rarely considers the advice of commmunity boards, so it is likely that this strange, bloated building will mar one of the non-landmarked sections of Victorian Flatbush.

Posted by: Mansfield at March 20, 2009 6:30 PM in response to CB14 Says No To Japanese Sect's Church Plans

In spite of its name South Midwood is a late Victorian community( approx. 1899-1910) NORTH of what is now called Midwood (originally Nottingham, Manhattan Park, et al). South Midwood is largely bordered by Glenwood Rd, Foster Ave., Bedford Ave and E. 21 St). There are three churches in the community: two are Gothic and one Romanesque with a touch of Arts & Crafts detailing. There are no synagogues, either traditional or modern. CB14 voted against the granting of an oversize variance for the Japanese temple because the plans submitted to the board were incomplete. Many board members also expressed puzzlement at the "out of context" design of the structure: a two storey rectangle with rounded front entrance, flat roof, and an exterior of white metal.
BSA rarely considers the advice of commmunity boards, so it is likely that this strange, bloated building will mar one of the non-landmarked sections of Victorian Flatbush.

Posted by: Mansfield at March 20, 2009 6:30 PM in response to CB14 Says No To Japanese Sect's Church Plans

In spite of its name South Midwood is a late Victorian community( approx. 1899-1910) NORTH of what is now called Midwood (originally Nottingham, Manhattan Park, et al). South Midwood is largely bordered by Glenwood Rd, Foster Ave., Bedford Ave and E. 21 St). There are three churches in the community: two are Gothic and one Romanesque with a touch of Arts & Crafts detailing. There are no synagogues, either traditional or modern. CB14 voted against the granting of an oversize variance for the Japanese temple because the plans submitted to the board were incomplete. Many board members also expressed puzzlement at the "out of context" design of the structure: a two storey rectangle with rounded front entrance, flat roof, and an exterior of white metal.
BSA rarely considers the advice of commmunity boards, so it is likely that this strange, bloated building will mar one of the non-landmarked sections of Victorian Flatbush.

Posted by: Mansfield at March 20, 2009 6:30 PM in response to CB14 Says No To Japanese Sect's Church Plans

In spite of its name South Midwood is a late Victorian community( approx. 1899-1910) NORTH of what is now called Midwood (originally Nottingham, Manhattan Park, et al). South Midwood is largely bordered by Glenwood Rd, Foster Ave., Bedford Ave and E. 21 St). There are three churches in the community: two are Gothic and one Romanesque with a touch of Arts & Crafts detailing. There are no synagogues, either traditional or modern. CB14 voted against the granting of an oversize variance for the Japanese temple because the plans submitted to the board were incomplete. Many board members also expressed puzzlement at the "out of context" design of the structure: a two storey rectangle with rounded front entrance, flat roof, and an exterior of white metal.
BSA rarely considers the advice of commmunity boards, so it is likely that this strange, bloated building will mar one of the non-landmarked sections of Victorian Flatbush.

Posted by: Mansfield at March 20, 2009 6:30 PM in response to CB14 Says No To Japanese Sect's Church Plans

As has been posted here before, a human sacrifice is necessary to get steam heat working properly.

If no humans are willing to sacrifice themselves, then gamble with all of the conflicting information on this and other boards, including my information below.

Best of luck to you.

Do NOT let a contractor come to you and charge you hundreds and hundreds of dollars to simply change the vents. Do a little googling, and you'll save a fortune.

1. Tilt radiators towards valve by placing a metal object of some sort underneath the other legs (using wood to prop up the radiator will eventually backfire as the wood will compress, and the radiator will be level again, allowing condensate to collect in the radiator. Use metal)

2. Ensure all valves are completely open. Remove the knobs so that no one plays with them thereafter.

3. Clean the boiler.

4. Lower the pressure in the boiler.

5. Insulate those risers with fiberglass.

6. Insulate the basement main pipe that most likely runs the length of the building.

7. Cross fingers.

Posted by: 13thStreet at November 2, 2009 7:42 PM in response to Hissing, But No Heat