Yes, it is possible to make it functional again however, the old ones were not wood burning but gas fireplaces with a ceramic heating unit ( think ornate fancy toaster ). To make it functional for wood burning you would need to get a chimney company in to make a larger chimney. If you're in a coop you better run this by the board too.

Posted by: Rick at November 6, 2009 6:01 PM in response to Restoring Bricked-in Fireplace?

I wouldn't give her a new one year lease, but go month to month, and raise the rent. This gives her time to move and keeps you from being stuck with her for another year.

Posted by: Rick at November 6, 2009 6:24 AM in response to Help with Demanding Tenant?

Sounds like you have a case of the green eyed monster. John has the lease and you are a roommate. Clear and simple.

Posted by: Rick at November 4, 2009 6:43 AM in response to Sublet/Share Legal Issue

I would look at fixtures that have pull chains or wireless control switches so you don't have to damage your tin ceiling. On the top floor, if you have room in the crawl space, you should be able to move some of the insulation to run a switch leg.

Posted by: Rick at November 1, 2009 9:39 AM in response to No Light Switches

chopsticks?

Posted by: Rick at October 31, 2009 3:44 PM in response to Creative Use of Leftover Floor?

I wish they could have moved the whole interior to a different location so it could be really enjoyed and respected. But that's not what landmark is about. ( sigh )

Posted by: Rick at October 30, 2009 1:42 PM in response to Checking In On Fulton Mall Arby's

Arby's? ( yuck ) May West and Jimmy Durante are turning over in their graves.

Posted by: Rick at October 30, 2009 11:27 AM in response to Checking In On Fulton Mall Arby's

It's not just the paint that's toxic but the acid etch is really nasty. It's best sprayed with a paint sprayer and vented with a fan through a window. Companies do this in about 2-3 hours on the spot. They tape off the room and use special equipment and materials. If you want to do it yourself do some research. Do a search on the web for more info.

Posted by: Rick at October 28, 2009 6:19 PM in response to Epoxy Painting Bathtub

Look up Bathtub Reglazing and have a pro do it. They cost $300-$500. Maybe you could chip in too, so you get what you want. For the acid etch epoxy finish don't try to do it yourself. The chemicals are really toxic.

Posted by: Rick at October 28, 2009 5:22 PM in response to Epoxy Painting Bathtub

The last bathroom I renovated, I used tile from Galactic Tile in Sunset Park. They have just about everything you can imagine.

Their showroom is at 951 3rd Ave

website galactic-tiles.com

Posted by: Rick at October 28, 2009 10:45 AM in response to Tile Store?

Call a plumber and they will fix it on the spot.

Posted by: Rick at October 27, 2009 7:43 AM in response to Gas Leak

I can show you photos of what I did. Email me at r.ladd.bklyn@gmail.com

Posted by: Rick at October 20, 2009 4:56 PM in response to Pics of Metal Decks?

I think this is a subject that always bothers tenants and landlords. Tenants feel they should have perfect comfort for them and landlords are running a business. No doubt all landlords will run into this at some time. Most tenants really don't care about the fact you're running a business, after all, it's really easy to spend other peoples money. Once this issue bugged me so much I thought getting over weight tenants would be a good idea. That didn't work either. I came to understand people have very different ideas about what temperature keeps them comfortable. What I ended up doing is getting the rentals to be in the 68-70 range and put the information in their lease. Doing my best at getting along with them is a plus too.

Posted by: Rick at October 18, 2009 8:39 AM in response to Temperature in Apt.

Well, your tile guy should do the right thing and do it over. You paid extra for that and he came up short. Since he told you it required extra skill he should look at the first go around as practice.

Posted by: Rick at October 4, 2009 1:31 PM in response to Penny Tile Disaster?

It will take a couple hours to remove the tile and clean up the Thinset and prep. A few more hours to reset the tile and cut the little pieces at the edges. It's going to have to dry overnight than grout it. So, I don't imagine they will be thrilled to hear that you want it done over.

Posted by: Rick at October 4, 2009 12:35 PM in response to Penny Tile Disaster?

It takes lots experience to get penny tile perfect. The only way to remedy the situation is to remove the tile and do it over.

Posted by: Rick at October 4, 2009 7:18 AM in response to Penny Tile Disaster?

I feel your pain. I hired a 100 year old family business to sand and finish my floors. I hired them because I thought they cared about their family heritage doing fine work. The youngest grandson came over, we talked about his grandfather doing hand work before electric. In the end, they hired inexperienced Jamaica guys that did average work. I was such a sucker....... I learned the hard way, always work with people who have a fine reputation, the rest is bullshit.

Posted by: Rick at October 2, 2009 5:47 PM in response to Verrazano Flooring NOT WORTH IT

Forum Rules and Regs

Here's what's allowed on the Forum: Questions from readers about renovation, gardening, real estate and quality-of-life issues relating to home ownership; readers (not businesses) are also encouraged to post architectural salvage items for sale. Here's what's not allowed: Self-promotional posts by businesses of any kind, events postings, off-topic rants and cut-and-paste articles. Contractors and other service providers may respond to general reader questions or to specific negative reviews. Thank you.

Posted by: Rick at September 4, 2009 7:08 PM in response to Faux-Finish-Artist

You need to contact a chimney contractor, like Big Apple Chimney or A&A ( see ads to the right on this page ). Often brownstones had fireplaces for small gas stove inside, not wood burning. Talk to an expert about what you want.

Posted by: Rick at August 30, 2009 9:12 AM in response to fireplace renovation

I think you are in your right to keep part if not all the security deposit. The deposit is for damage that's more than basic wear. I hope you took photos. Be happy that they left now.

Posted by: Rick at August 29, 2009 4:20 PM in response to Security dep. deductions

Mosaic tile, or penny tile is installed like you would install any other tile. However, on walls it's not an easy task. Registration is what makes it difficult. Gravity and the light weight backing makes the tiles move. If you have no experience, get a tile contractor to do it for you ( not me either ). It's money well spent.

Posted by: Rick at August 28, 2009 6:53 AM in response to How to install this mosaic tile?

Did you read my first post? I said "It will need basic plumbing and electrical upgrades" not complete replacement. It is functional. In my experience, new home owners are eager to make upgrades before they move in. It really depends on the homeowners plans for the building. The electric is all really old and will need additional circuits and a new breaker box. To answer M4L question, I know for a fact there are offers in the high 600's for the house. Before the bust, houses were trading up to a million. Floor through rentals fetch $1500-$1850.

Posted by: Rick at August 26, 2009 5:13 PM in response to House of the Day: 552 47th Street

I live on this block. I looked at this house today. It's all original. Nothing has changed in this house since it was built. It has lots of nice details. Woodwork is beautiful, floors are fancy parquet. It will need basic plumbing and electrical upgrades. This is one of the best blocks here in Sunset Park.

Posted by: Rick at August 26, 2009 4:15 PM in response to House of the Day: 552 47th Street

Often you will see holes patched in wood floors when radiators are moved. Termite holes are made only in the basement floor.

Posted by: Rick at August 16, 2009 11:58 AM in response to Termite Prevention?

My guess is that you have some dirt in the water line. Remove the shower head and run the water with the shower head off. Look at the shower head and see if there's anything blocking the path through the shower head, and reinstall it. If that doesn't fix it, the problem is in the diverter.

Posted by: Rick at August 16, 2009 11:54 AM in response to Shower Diverter drivimg me crazy

What can I say jland, This is the first time I used Aura and it was thin. I spoke with the guy who mixed it too and he said it was thiner than Regal and that many people put up with that for the low VOC.

Posted by: Rick at August 11, 2009 4:07 PM in response to Benjamin Moore Regal or Aura?

One more thing. The colors are really the same. I'm in the same boat with your painter, he likes Regal, he's experienced with it and it gives him the best results.

Posted by: Rick at August 11, 2009 6:41 AM in response to Benjamin Moore Regal or Aura?

Just two weeks ago I painted a room for a client who wanted to use Aura because it's a no VOC paint. I have always used Regal in the past and the smell never really bothered me. I found that Aura was a much thinner paint than Regal which I didn't like. With the thinner Aura paint I had to paint two coats of a custom color of white. Regal is still the best paint because it's really thick, giving you more control and covers in one coat. Yes Aura is more PC, and ECO friendly, but Regal is a better product for the task at hand.

Posted by: Rick at August 11, 2009 6:32 AM in response to Benjamin Moore Regal or Aura?

I doubt that you would need their approval since it's your condo unit. But it wouldn't hurt to tell them about the problem and your plans to fix it. If you have any more questions you can reach me through my website at RickLaddBrooklyn.com

Posted by: Rick at July 24, 2009 4:21 PM in response to Sound Permeating Walls

Yep, that's shoddy. I would bet if you cut a 6" hole in your wall you will see nothing but air between your studs. You will need soundboard insulation. Green glue and Quiet Rock are products that help keep sound out. You would have to layer the insulation, inside your apartment, on the wall that faces the lobby. It will not keep all the sound out but it will help.

Posted by: Rick at July 24, 2009 3:38 PM in response to Sound Permeating Walls

Yes, people will steal anything that's not bolted down. Iron gates, planters, front porch furniture. I once had some nice window boxes with flowers, stolen, on Mother's Day! You really have to bolt or chain everything down. If you get a replacement gate, have washers welded to the top of the hinge pin to keep it from walking. There is a guy who has lots of iron salvage near the parking lot at Lowes. You could probably find a replacement there.

Posted by: Rick at July 24, 2009 8:35 AM in response to Front Gate Stolen

Running a new line and replacing the box in an antique plaster medallion is difficult and puts the medallion at risk. I have seen many beautiful medallions bite the dust because they are fragile. You would need to open up the center hole to make room for a new box. Your options are to let the electricians do their work and buy a new plaster medallion or keep your original set up and hang your fixtures off the old gas pipe. Most electricians ( and contractors ) do not want to take extra time to preserve old world detail, they just want to get the job done.

Posted by: Rick at July 23, 2009 7:01 AM in response to Question on Medallions

My wife ( johanna ) is very experienced. email her at bottlecap@mindspring.com.

Posted by: Rick at July 5, 2009 8:37 PM in response to Feral Cats—Help!

No, Get a Life!

Posted by: Rick at June 28, 2009 8:12 PM in response to Withholding Rent?

I find the timing of the tenant's hissy fit interesting. Would she act this way if she had 6 more months on her lease? As a landlord, you were responsive to her needs. I'm sure if she had told you that she's sensitive to the chemical residue you would have waited until she left. If she knew that she was sensitive, she should have said so. It's clearly easier for her to blame you than take a look at her own actions and responsibilities.

Posted by: Rick at June 28, 2009 8:26 AM in response to Landlord, tenants & bedbugs

What kind of finish do you have on the door? Is your end grain open? Is it still wet? If you let it dry out it should shrink back.

Posted by: Rick at June 27, 2009 7:42 PM in response to Door Won't Close

I work on pocket doors all the time. You can reach me through my website at RickLaddBrooklyn.com

Posted by: Rick at June 26, 2009 10:05 PM in response to Pocket door

Lucky that no one was hurt. I looked up the building ( 493 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205 ) on Google Map. You can see the crack on the side of the building!

Posted by: Rick at June 22, 2009 6:37 AM in response to Building Collapse in Fort Greene

I took a drive out to the store a few months ago because I couldn't get them on the phone. There's a for rent sign on the building. It looks like they're closed for good.

Posted by: Rick at June 21, 2009 5:17 PM in response to tin ceilings

Rezoning is a good idea. This past year I have seen more Brownstones being torn down for new construction. Chinatown is growing and changing the character of the neighborhood greatly between 7 & 8 ave. 8th ave is the heart of Chinatown.

Posted by: Rick at June 21, 2009 8:45 AM in response to Neighbor Building a Monstrosity

SHIT! I'm on 47th too between 5 & 6! Do you know people on your block? You can reach me at r.ladd.bklyn@gmail.com

Posted by: Rick at June 20, 2009 7:03 PM in response to Neighbor Building a Monstrosity

Oh man, that makes my stomach turn. Call the DOB and your community board. What street are you on?

Posted by: Rick at June 20, 2009 6:05 PM in response to Neighbor Building a Monstrosity

He's doing the work on the back of his house right? How is he "destroying the integrity of the block" when so few see the back of the buildings?

Posted by: Rick at June 20, 2009 5:19 PM in response to Neighbor Building a Monstrosity

Gravity is such a bitch! No way around it, you will have some mess, but you may be able to hold some of the insulation back with some plastic sheeting and a staple gun once you remove the moldy drywall. Good luck.

Posted by: Rick at June 20, 2009 11:34 AM in response to Drywall removal-blown insulation

I repair and install new tin ceilings. You can reach me through my website at RickLaddBrooklyn.com

Posted by: Rick at June 19, 2009 6:39 AM in response to Tin Ceiling Repair

Antique heart pine is beautiful. However, I would get it milled tongue & groove, it will give you the best results over time. It should be nailed not glued. I would hire my own flooring guy too . Your contractor is farming it out with a mark up for sure. That is understandable but it should be done correct, no matter how small the room is.

Posted by: Rick at June 18, 2009 5:37 PM in response to floor instalation

Yes, they're trying to hide a problem ( and being a jerk for doing so ) What they should be doing is taking the whole ceiling down and fixing the problem on their watch. Mold may be only part of the story, I wouldn't be surprised if it had termite damage too. If the owner will not take down the ceiling I would walk away from the sale.

Posted by: Rick at June 12, 2009 12:04 PM in response to More on Mold....

It's a larger project than you may think and it's not cheap. I've used Quietrock. It's a great product but it runs $85. a sheet. You could reframe and layer sheetrock with a material called Green Glue & acoustic caulk and stuff insulation between the studs. All these things will help but I doubt you will ever get anything sound proof but it will be much better than what you have now.

Posted by: Rick at May 25, 2009 6:20 AM in response to ceiling soundproofing

I've done this for many clients. It can be done tasteful. I actually finished one just a few weeks ago that I can show you. If you're interested you can reach me through my website at RickLaddBrooklyn.com

Posted by: Rick at May 25, 2009 6:12 AM in response to closing a staircase?

Did you just get your tree? In my experience, the city will add the bricks and finish up soon. The city has a different truck for each step in planting a new street tree.

Posted by: Rick at May 20, 2009 7:42 PM in response to Protecting Tree in Street

if the 4 of you are paying $2800/month to him, why does he have $5000 in security deposit? did he make you all pay more than 1 month's security?

Posted by: CG_ups at November 4, 2009 3:25 PM in response to Sublet/Share Legal Issue

*rob* sounds like you would do the same to your friends?

Posted by: joe_the_bummer at November 4, 2009 3:30 PM in response to Sublet/Share Legal Issue

That was my guess, CG_ups. First and last month's, plus $400 for something.

Posted by: CarrollGardened at November 4, 2009 3:30 PM in response to Sublet/Share Legal Issue

$400 is for chips and margarita mix, but, sadly, not the tequila.

Posted by: antidope at November 4, 2009 3:35 PM in response to Sublet/Share Legal Issue

he made us pay "1 month rent + $500" as a security deposit. so he has actually $4800 of our money if you want me to be specific.

last year he said i could have a copy of the lease if i wanted, and so i said ok i would like one. then anytime i'd ask him to pony it up, he would say he didn't know where it was. (we have a lot of shelves/common space in our loft and much of it is cluttered with his shit, so he would just motion toward the shared office area and say "it's in there somewhere".) i finally just rifled through some of the shelves one day, and found it in an envelope marked "lease."

the day that i saw the rent check, he had left it on the kitchen table and ran out to get stamps or something (to mail it to the LL). since we all have office jobs, and he quit his (since he has like no expenses) i assume he didn't realize i was home sick that day and that i saw it when i woke up.

this has become insane. i was just wondering if we had recourse to take over the lease since he pretty much moved out so long ago. guess not. thanks to those of you who are understanding of how stressful it is to live with a greedy sociopath.

Posted by: mightierthanswords at November 4, 2009 3:49 PM in response to Sublet/Share Legal Issue

main reason that we don't all pack up and leave is that he has $5000 in security deposit money from us that i know he will try and find any way not to return.

You were never getting that money back from John. You think a guy who's done this to you won't find some pretext to keep more of your money?

If I've got this right, when you moved in he told you the rent was $3500 per month and it would be split equally? Or he told you you paid 1/5 of the rent, which was $700 (same difference).

Well, then, since the rent was only $3000, that means you were overpaying your agreed-upon share by $175 per month before the new roommate moved in. And since the new roommate moved in, you've been overpaying by $200.

So, stop paying him.

I'd tell him that since there is a new roommate, you will be paying 1/6 of the $3,000 rent from this point forward ($500 a month), and that he should take the first however many months out of your security deposit, and the next however many months out of your overpayments to date. If he comes back at you, don't negotiate, don't explain, don't discuss, this is just how it is. Give him a lot of "I'm so sorry you feel that way. I felt pretty terrible when I found out I'd been overpaying for so many months." And then just say nothing.

He mis-represented the terms of a contract that is probably unenforceable anyway. It doesn't matter how you found out he was lying. Blah blah blah, don't get sucked into his drama. Just, these are your terms. And if he gets all "and if I don't accept your terms," just say "I'm sorry." And hang up. It's not your job to solve his problem of not liking the fact you'll be paying him less, and only start paying him again after your overpayments/security have brought you back to an even balance.

Tell your roommates you are doing this, as an FYI. If they want to do it, too, be supportive of them. But do this with or without them. But be clear that this is between you and John, it's John's name on the lease, it's HIS problem (not theirs) to find the money to pay.

He will undoubtedly try to get you out of there. But odds are, he would have tried to get you out of there anyway since you're the pesky troublemaker who exposed his scam.

Remove all your valuables from the apartment NOW. Put some clothes at a friend's house where you could crash for awhile if he changes the locks. Make sure none of the utilities, etc are in your name. Have a plan for what to do if you come home to find the locks changed. Get all illegal substances out of your place (pot, whatever) in case he calls the cops. Change the password of all your accounts to something that's hard to hack.

And start looking for a new place. If this works out and he doesn't give you a hard time, once you've lived there long enough that all the overpayments are even, ask yourself if you want to live in this place for $500 a month, given the trust situation with John. If the answer is no, start looking for a new place.

But under no circumstances does John get any more of your money until the balance comes even.

Posted by: bkrules at November 4, 2009 3:50 PM in response to Sublet/Share Legal Issue

I think the issue is black and white. You all agreed to pay what he was asking. It doesn't matter what he is/was paying.

If I felt an item is worth $100 and I buy it for $100, do I have the right to to get my money back if I found out someone else bought it for $20? No.

I still agree that "John" is a douche... AND he is the one who has his credit at risk here. If you want to stick it to him, you have the option.

Posted by: mrkknox at November 4, 2009 3:55 PM in response to Sublet/Share Legal Issue

oh whatever. John gave you and your broke a$$ friends a place to live, for cheap i might add, and he threw in chips and salsa. you sound like a whiney brat. you have no recourse. Judge Judy would rip you a new one if you were in her court.

*rob*

Posted by: Butterfly at November 4, 2009 4:06 PM in response to Sublet/Share Legal Issue

If he made you pay more than a month for security then that is most certainly "business" and not "friendship". That should have been a big tip-off as to the kind of relationship you were getting into when dealing with him.

I was friendly with a former landlord before renting from her. When I agreed to take her apartment she suddenly asked me for 2 months security deposit. I was a little taken aback by the request but still gave it to her. I also quickly downgraded our relationship from friend to business- a very good call. Particularly over a year later when she casually mentioned that it was "cheeky and resourceful" of her to ask for 2 months security because she really needed the cashflow at the time. Now a friend might have been rather annoyed by such a statement. However, somebody who did "business" with her chalked one up for experience and moved on.

And please do not take bkrule's advice unless you are looking for a shit ton of drama. If you are so unhappy with the arrangement and civilized behavior and dialogue isn't creating a satisfying resolution for you then you really should just move on. It's not worth the negativity, especially when you have to live in it.

I will add that I do think John is a douche, too, but that has nothing to do with the arrangement you made with him.

Posted by: Snarkypants at November 4, 2009 4:07 PM in response to Sublet/Share Legal Issue

Also Post your question on www.tenant.net in the forum section.

Posted by: 1910 at November 4, 2009 4:19 PM in response to Sublet/Share Legal Issue