afroskully's Profile

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Author's Posts

January 5, 2010

Leaking Roof/Cornice

About 3 years ago, i had my roof patched and a skylight replaced due to a few different leaks. There has been a consistent spot that has never stopped leaking towards the corner of the house by where the yankee gutter meets the leader. Nick from leakmasters who did the work is telling me that i need a general contractor or a leader specialist to fix the problem. Apparently when it snows (and only when it snows - rain is never a problem), the ice backs up in the leader and the water leaks in from wherever it is inside the wall that the leader meets the gutter.

Can anyone recommend a general contractor or leader specialist who specializes in this type of thing? I'm at my wits end with this and so are my upstairs tenants.

Thanks.

October 6, 2009

Another Ceiling Gasline Question

Recently I had the entire top floor electricity redone. As the electrician was running the lines thru the ceiling, he took a ceiling fan off the ceiling and saw a cap. He unscrewed the cap and told me that he encountered a live gas line and capped it back up. They finished the work but told me i should get the gas turned off thru that line.

We moved in 3 1/2 yrs ago and had no idea about this. Is it possible that there was just old gas in there that came out when he unscrewed the cap? Do i need to call national grid to inspect? if it is a live gas line is it unsafe to keep it the way it is?

October 2, 2009

Termite fun...

has anyone had any experience using terminex? as a newbie home owner 4 yrs ago, i found some mud tunnels on the ceiling in my basement and sadly I immediately signed a contract with them. They've been less than professional and have only recently seemed to get the problem under grip. However, I now have a half eaten ceiling beam that may or may not need replacing.

I pay a reasonable yearly fee to keep the rest of the house protected. As far as i can tell, every other room in the house that would need repair from NEW damage besides the basement room where first detection was noted is covered by terminex. Recently I've read some testimonials online from disgruntled customers complaining about how they actually go about making these types of repairs or the contractors terminex uses.

I'm having a hard time trying to figure out whether or not i should keep this "alleged protection" or just bite the bullet and go with an independent exterminator. I'm pretty fed up with them, although recently they've been trying to make things right.

all advice appreciated.

Author's Comments

donatella: i've actually never posted on this before. but thanks for the advice.

you responded to another post titled "September 25, 2009 Old Gas Lines Safe?". I'm new here, but I guess this is a common problem/concern.

i have my plumber coming next week.

thanks

Posted by: afroskully at October 6, 2009 8:27 PM in response to Another Ceiling Gasline Question

as for the termites themselves, has anyone had any experience using terminex? as a newbie home owner 4 yrs ago, i found some mud tunnels in my basement and sadly I immediately signed a contract with them. They've been less than professional and have only recently seemed to get the problem under grip.

I pay a reasonable yearly fee to keep the rest of the house protected (as far as i can tell, every other room in the house that would need repair from NEW damage besides the basement room where first detection was noted is covered by terminex).

all advice appreciated.

Posted by: afroskully at October 1, 2009 8:52 PM in response to Basement Structural Work

Responses to Author's Forum Comments

Thanks mopar - Would appreciate a recommendation.

Afroskully - We use an independent local exterminator, and I couldn't be happier with his service, knowledge, and willingness to explain things until they make sense to me. We considered the big companies, but they seemed to be more about sales than extermination. Let me know if you want my guy's number.

Posted by: jellystew at October 2, 2009 3:03 PM in response to Basement Structural Work

Don't have the name yet, but will get back to you next week when I do.

Posted by: mopar at October 3, 2009 10:48 AM in response to Basement Structural Work

To afroskully

Terminate Terminex. They simply don't provide the service contracted for; I wrote to the regional office manager and had my money refunded.

They are old school con-artists, the kind you still run into in NYC, completely trying to get over on their clients. (some oil companies fall into this group)
We were definitely sold something we didn't need and encouraged to lie about having termites (we had mice).

Then the "scheduled" visits don't take place; they cancel them and don't tell you as you wait for someone to show up on the appointed date-this happenned twice. Then they offer to make it up to you with a credit they never post to your account.

If you want minimal or no stress from a pest control provider don't continue with this outfit.
Bad bad news.

Posted by: argentina at October 10, 2009 9:44 PM in response to Basement Structural Work

Our guy from Bushwick is coming Wed. His rates appear to be very reasonable. If he does good work, I will post his name here when we are done.

Posted by: mopar at October 11, 2009 12:02 PM in response to Basement Structural Work