SenatorStreet's Profile
- Ron
- Brooklyn
- Bay Ridge
- House
Author's Posts
October 20, 2009
Forming a Block Association
There was a positng here earlier today about forming a Block Association.
If anyone is interested, I have a PDF entitled "Organizing a Block Association" that was compiled by the Alliance of Bay ridge Block Associations a couple of years back.
Please email me if you would like a copy.
Ron at SenatorStreet dot com
September 23, 2009
TOH Brooklyn/ Channel 13
Am I the only one, or did channel 13 preempt parts of the complete brooklyn project with "beg-a-thon" again??
It seem to me that the original airing was never shown in its entirety an when rerun I only seem to have the first 7 episodes (and have to geth the rest from channel 21).
The first this old house project in NYC -- unforgivable!!
June 18, 2009
OT - Circus Elephants at Coney
When the circus in at Marison Square Garden, the elephants are walked through the Lincoln Tunnel from New Jersey.
I didn't hear anything about elephants on Ocean Parkway or the Belt.
Does anyone have any idea how they got the elephants to Coney Island?
May 13, 2009
Refi - good experience
Hi folks,
Just wanted to give a public shout out to Adam Dahill, who we met through Brownstoner.com, and is a frequent poster on this site, for shepherding us through a very successful refi. It was a bit complicated with some unexpected credit issues and keeping a HELOC open through the process - but it was handled with great care and interest - the guy knows what he's talking about and delivers what he promises, and is a pleasure to work with as well.
We highly recommend him for your mortgage and refinance needs!
March 6, 2009
Paint a Cornice
Does anyone have an idea of how much it should cost to paint a cornice on a 20' wide brownstone (3 floor)?
Also, any recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks.
March 1, 2009
Glass blocks
I'm thinking about using glass blocks in a bathroom, but have been told that their insulating value is poor and that the bathroom will always be cold. Is this true? There must be some manufactured to provide a decent thermal layer.
Any ideas and/or comments would be greatly appreciated.
January 21, 2009
Tailor ??
I purchased a cool vintage tuxedo in a thrift shop that needs
altering.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a reliable tailor that can do this kind of work?
Thanks
January 14, 2009
Steam Heat-Gurgle, Slosh & Leak
As the season has progressed I've gotten more and more gurgling & sloshing and just this week leaking from the air valve. My steam heat system is a bit odd: I have a three floor high stoop brownstone (plus) basement. The prior owner reconfigured the heat in the basement, garden and parlor floors with a Burnham 3-zone hydronic boiler. He left the cast iron risers and radiators to the third floor and replaced the Steam boiler with a new Burnham. The idea was that the tenant was on the third floor and would pay their own heat. As it turned out we reconfigured the house placing the rental on the garden floor. So now I have a boiler dedicated to the bedroom and den!
It’s a typical configuration: two risers, one front to two radiators (large room and small room over parlor hall) and one riser to the back two rooms. The small rooms barely need any heat at all. The large rooms are cold.
I am having Brooklyn Insulation blow in insulation to the attic this Friday.
Question: Would a clogged Air Eliminator cause for the water build up (gurgling & sloshing and leaking) in the radiator on that riser?
Also I am going to replace all the air valves. On the front of the house (south exposure and long main on the boiler) I was thinking of putting a Gorton “C” in the large room and a 5 ort 6 in the small room. For the back of house, a “D” and a 4 in the small room that is closest to the thermostat (which has had the radiator shut completely off for the last few years).
I would appreciate any comments on the configuration and balancing of this strange 4 radiator system located floors away from their “mother ship.”
Thanks.
August 5, 2008
Federal Pacific
I own a two family brownstone. One of the circuit breaker boxes is Federal Pacific. I have a new GE Box and breakers and just need them installed.
Does anyone have any idea of a ball park cost to have this done?
I'd do it myself, but have no way of cutting power to the meter.
July 29, 2008
Tankless Water heaters
Has anyone installed a tankless water heater for a whole house application ??
I would like to have a plan to act on when my current water heater decides to fail. I currently use a 75 gal tank heater.
I have a two family rowhouse with a total of 4 adults. My concern with a tankless heater is the gpm capacity during the winter months.
I had also thought about chaining the incoming water line into a small tank heater then into the tankless heater. Keep the tank set to a cool temperature (~60 degrees F). In this way in the winter the tank will heat the outside cold water to 60 then the tankless will take over to heat to use temp. In the summer however, the water coming in from the street would be warm enough so that the tank heater will never need to kick in. This way there would be enough hot water for all.
Any comments, Ideas?
Author's Comments
Board Calls for More Precise Language from DCP
Read more:
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/board_calls_for_more_precise_language_1xL0lqVnyG3jfDckXU0boM
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 17, 2009 1:08 PM in response to City Planning Targeting Curb Cuts
Do homeowners pay for curb cuts yearly? Or pay once and then get an eternal entitlement to a piece of the public street?
ONCE - eternal entitlement
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 17, 2009 1:02 PM in response to City Planning Targeting Curb Cuts
Why not just put one door in the divider wall for access to the 2nd floor of the lower unit.
This way the vestibule entrance is directly into the 3rd floor unit and the lower unit is accessed from the 1st floor.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 17, 2009 11:33 AM in response to Door Placement Code
If anyone can find a link to the full text of this ammendment please post it here.
I, along with CB-10's zoning committee, looked at the executive summary of this ammendment a couple of months ago and felt that it did not go far enough. However, I have still not seen the actual text of the ammendment.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 17, 2009 10:00 AM in response to City Planning Targeting Curb Cuts
Rob-
a) It is illegal to drive over the curb (although many people do it without receiving violations).
b) without a curb cut it is a legal on street parking spot - so anyone car park there and block your access to your 'parking pad'
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 17, 2009 9:58 AM in response to City Planning Targeting Curb Cuts
Take the lock off the door and bring it to a locksmith.
They can do this easily.
It will be done and back on the door in a couple of hours.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 12, 2009 1:40 PM in response to Lock DIY?
Yes.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 12, 2009 1:37 PM in response to Condo Owner Kicking Out
DIBS the re-tile of a rental unit should be amortized but included on sched E as business related - you may have a limited abount of time to claim this.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 11, 2009 4:01 PM in response to Audit Hell
You refer to "all the deductions we received for maintaining and fixing up our apartments."
The deductions for the rental units should be deducted on sched E as that part of the property is a business.
The cost of fixing up your apartment affects the cost basis of the house and is a taxable event when you sell.
The maintanence of your unit is not deductable.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 11, 2009 3:58 PM in response to Audit Hell
Rob -
You must be back on your meds - you're making alot of sense!!
I have been both a renter (23 years in one apartment) and a landlord. "Sometimes tenants need to just do simple things like this themselves instead of working themselves into a tizzy."
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 10, 2009 3:55 PM in response to Lease Termination Notice
Slopefarm - great answer and understanding of how things work!
Also remember that there is strength in numbers.
Not just at the first meeting, but a large group of neighbors month after month really says that there is a serious problem.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 3, 2009 3:25 PM in response to Illegal Dumping, Drugs, Rats
I have seen time and again that when a police car is stopped to help correct the traffic situation it only makes it worse.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 3, 2009 11:43 AM in response to Squadron Helps Drivers Get Off (The FDR)
Pry the nails out from the point end (not from the nail head) with a plyers. Pull the head straight through the board. It goes much faster this way.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 2, 2009 12:18 PM in response to Wood Panels for Garbage Pickup
Make a radiator cover
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 31, 2009 5:40 PM in response to Creative Use of Leftover Floor?
Be sure to use toung and groove plywood for the subfloor and screw twice as many screws as you may think necessary. - keep the subfloor "tight" to the joists - do it now, can't later.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 22, 2009 10:04 AM in response to Installing Wood Floors
Did it cross your mind to ask them?
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 21, 2009 3:34 PM in response to People with Camcorder?
Que?
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 21, 2009 1:15 PM in response to Prueba
I have a PDF entitled "Organizing a Block Association" that was compiled by the Alliance of Bay ridge Block Associations a couple of years back.
Please email me for a copy.
Ron at SenatorStreet dot com
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 20, 2009 6:39 PM in response to Thoughts on Block Associations
Air gap in NYC --> No
Garbage Disposal --> I believe so
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 15, 2009 10:07 AM in response to Garbage Disposal Installation
""What to do? Who to call?""
Have you thought of an exterminator ??
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 15, 2009 10:05 AM in response to Infestation
Dan B --> Very well said!! I doubt anyone could have said that better.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 15, 2009 10:03 AM in response to Hot Water System Help
Yes, water-in approximates sewerage-out, except that 'sewerage-out' costs more than 'water-in.'
With the increase in the water bill being in the double digits for the last couple of years, it is not surprising that landlords would want to pass that expense on.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 12, 2009 4:05 PM in response to Help with Lease Clarification
Search for John Roggenkamp on this site. I've used him with good results.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 11, 2009 9:22 AM in response to Leaky Roof
2.00 psf is correct and note that the insulation is blown in through the skylight on the inside of the house - so no holes in the ceiling!!
I used Brooklyn Insulation & Soundproofing as well - very good job - and well worth it!!
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 11, 2009 9:21 AM in response to Blown In Insulation
Stop talking to the feet, when you can talk to the head!
Call Kraftmaid directly!!
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 10, 2009 9:50 AM in response to Kraftmaid Venecia-filler Pieces
From last week's news: "Investigation Busts Mob Ties To DOB"
And you ask if it takes so long for an inspection? - LOL
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 8, 2009 11:26 AM in response to DOB Electrical Inspection
If you are looking for "a few hundred feet" you may want to consider having it made.
I've used a company outside of Chicago for this - very cheap for having the knife made and UPS shipping equals what you would otherwise pay in sales tax.
if interested email me and I'll dig up the name and address.
Ron
ronrite1 at yahoo dot com
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 7, 2009 9:54 AM in response to Looking For Moulding Source
Here is a picture of swarming termites vs flying ants. Termites usually swarm in the spring.
http://www.duratechpestcontrol.com/images/termitevsant.jpg
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 5, 2009 12:42 PM in response to Unusual Bug Infestation
removing a steam radiator will screw up the balance of the system. There is a good chance that you will have to adjust the vent sizes on the remaining radiators.
Once the heating season is in full force if you notice it warmer or colder in other rooms from last year, play with the air vents till you get it to feel balanced.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 4, 2009 9:17 AM in response to Cap for a removed radiator?
Install a rubber membrane over the subfloor being careful to fold up the corners and fun it up the wall several inches (the wonderboard on the wall will cover the nail heads and the top of the membrane. - keep the wonderboard a quarter of an inch off the floor).
have a professional lay a mud bed over the membrane properly sloped toward the drain.
install the wall wonderboard.
Lat tile in thinset - floor first - then walls.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 4, 2009 9:12 AM in response to Shower Advice Needed Urgently
Buy a car!
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 4, 2009 9:05 AM in response to Living in Red Hook.... Should I?
Cover it.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 28, 2009 7:16 PM in response to tips for storing window a/c unit
"life is not always fair" -- move on
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 28, 2009 7:10 PM in response to Does the landlord have to clean?
In many of these old buildings when the gas was capped (on both ends of the pipe), the pipes were not bled of the gas within them.
When they are uncapped all these many years later, the trapped gas escapes.
My suggestion is to open a window and place a fan so as to blow out. Uncap the pipe. If the hiss and smell disapate in a minute or so then there is no problem.
If however the hiss and smell are as strong as ever, cap it up leave the fan running for a while to air the room. Call a plumber to find out where in the basement to cut and cap the line and try again with the fixture installation.
Good luck.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 25, 2009 6:06 PM in response to Old Gas Lines Safe?
Cudos to italiana71 for trying to find some other option rather than just trashing it!
And for all you other nay-sayers: Have you ever slept on a hotel matress? (you know, a mattress that has had hundreds of strangers sleeping -and doing g-d knows what else- on it!
Maybe you don't go out to restaurants either because the plates and flatware has been used ???
"food for thought"
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 25, 2009 11:42 AM in response to Recycling an Old Mattress?
Interior or exterior?? Also please post the size of the opening and, if exterior, the transom (if any).
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 24, 2009 6:38 PM in response to Help Finding a Door
I did.
They told me that they could not handle programming issues, but would be happy to take another donation . . .
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 24, 2009 11:36 AM in response to TOH Brooklyn/ Channel 13
Call the LPC
Call the local community board
Call the councilman's office
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 23, 2009 10:42 AM in response to DOB v. Landmarks
How about the way they do it in Europe?
"0" for the first habitable floor (ground floor/Garden/basement)
"1" for the Parlor, etc.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 22, 2009 12:30 PM in response to Floor Numbers for code violation
bitter_bubble_buyer: the brother is not claiming ownership; he is claiming the tax deduction BECAUSE he is paying the bill.
The cross reference on both tax returns is the correct "Cover Your Ass" procedure.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 17, 2009 4:06 PM in response to Gifting House to Bro?
Dave -
I just did before posting that!
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 17, 2009 4:04 PM in response to Gifting House to Bro?
Your brother could claim the tax deductability as he has the cancelled checks to prove that he made the payments.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 17, 2009 3:14 PM in response to Gifting House to Bro?
Not to worry. The cold weather will be here soon and the problem will be greatly reduced till the spring (again).
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 17, 2009 3:09 PM in response to McCarren Park
Arkady - No high humidity today!
I agree with UnprotectedWrecks.
Good luck.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 17, 2009 10:09 AM in response to How to Fix Sticky Door
2. When getting multiple estimates, what is the best way to go about not accepting the the one's you don't want?
Don't return their calls (just like the several others did when you tried to get estimates from them).
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 17, 2009 10:07 AM in response to Permits and Estimates
Looks to me like a hand crafted item, not a standard, stocked part.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 17, 2009 10:04 AM in response to Stair Part Needed
We do tax preparation and audit consulting in my office and I can tell you that the number of audits are up considerably.
In this economy the government is poor and looking for money anywhere that they can find it. That means if you itemized this year and not for the last several, then you may well be a candidate for an audit. Many times in an audit situation it is not -if- you will have to pay, but how much.
Don't be so fast to blame the tax preparers - the IRS employees are far from perfect!
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 16, 2009 12:31 PM in response to Need New Accountant
18k seems more than just "a bit higher"
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 16, 2009 10:23 AM in response to Pre-Approval Amount?
New ramp to the prospect
Posted by: SenatorStreet at September 15, 2009 3:25 PM in response to BQE - 3rd Ave 18/19th St
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
The standard approach is to build a wall and door where the hall starts. One family uses the ground-floor entrance; the other family uses the parlor-floor entrance.
Posted by: mopar at November 17, 2009 1:19 PM in response to Door Placement Code
SS - That's true but at this time of year there are relay trucks they can dump into & not have to go back to the depot.
Posted by: Arkady at November 17, 2009 3:38 PM in response to Street Cleaning / Leaf pickup
Unfortunatly, there is a City law that a homeowner is required to sweep and clean 18" from the curb. With cars parked there it's impossible except for the 1 1/2 hours of alternate side no parking rules when most people are at work. In an effort to save $$$ by limiting the amount the sweepers pick up, they will only street sweep where the homeowner has cleaned the 18". These unswept leaves clog catch basins and cause flooding, but as ridiculous as it is this is now DOS policy, probably under the Mayor's direction. If you wish to confirm this call your local DOS district.
Posted by: yaakovdoe at November 17, 2009 6:12 PM in response to Street Cleaning / Leaf pickup
I rented a second floor apartment in a house that was a 1 to 2 family conversion with the door at the foot of the stair swinging out. It was fine and made my apartment feel bigger as the stair had a railing at the second floor and was not walled off, giving me visual space. If you go that route, 12" is too far from the bottom of the stair for the door. When you're coming down, you actually stand on the bottom step and open the door. 12" is too far to reach but not enough to stand. You need a few inches to give you some space to fit - maybe 6". My landlords door was perpendicular to mine in the added wall that separated their apartment from the entry hall.
Posted by: jfss at November 17, 2009 6:47 PM in response to Door Placement Code
get a big barrel and compost for spring flowers.
Posted by: cheetat1 at November 17, 2009 9:29 PM in response to Street Cleaning / Leaf pickup
Apt time to bring up a new movement starting in the neighborhood -- it's called "Parking Around Me" and it allows people share info about open parking spaces via text message or Twitter.
As a PS resident, i got involved b/c i've felt the pain of parking and really hope this can help bring some order to the chaos.
Seems to be getting some attention: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Park-Slope-Service-Uses-Twitter-Text-Messages-to-Share-Available-Street-Parking-Intel-70340582.html
Interested to hear what people think...
Posted by: smk67 at November 19, 2009 10:05 AM in response to park slope parking question
It's a legal two family.
When people say I'll need a landing, does that mean, a landing before the door? Or after the door?
I've definitely seen buildings where the door is at the top of the stairs. Never seen one where the door is at the bottom of the stairs, but I'm not sure why we couldn't put it there. I guess I was wondering whether anyone knew of any restrictions why I couldn't.
Thanks!
Posted by: theklahy at November 19, 2009 11:05 AM in response to Door Placement Code
The street cleaners are not vacuums; they can only pick up a limited amount of leaves and spread the rest around.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at November 17, 2009 2:54 PM in response to Street Cleaning / Leaf pickup