please ignore this post. the poc fixed itself.

Posted by: bobjohn at November 8, 2009 11:25 AM in response to fridge makes ticking sound

the little balls fall out. so the inner rail is very loose relatively to the outer rail. I need to buy the replacement assembly. Installing is not that difficult. Than you for attention in any case.

Posted by: bobjohn at November 7, 2009 12:28 PM in response to Drawer Rails

sounds like you make stereotype out of any male involved in home improvement. And the eman got in crossfire by proxy.

Males of all different occupations have very strange thoughts about women. It just hardware supply store blokes do not talk to any women so when they see you they cannot hold their ideas.

Posted by: bobjohn at November 6, 2009 9:55 AM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

mopar these are metal ball bearing rails.

Posted by: bobjohn at November 6, 2009 9:42 AM in response to Drawer Rails

IMBY is my hero

Posted by: bobjohn at November 4, 2009 7:28 PM in response to Mouse Infestation - Help!

frame it and put fake brick panels over it :)

Posted by: bobjohn at November 4, 2009 3:33 PM in response to Sealing Brick Fireplace

oh and it was converted from gravity-fed hot water wood/coal burning furnace into circulator-forced furnace burning oil. So efficiency in not the name of this game.

I try to convince myself that if time will get tough and I will have no money to pay for oil. I will burn furneture for heat :)... And I can dispose corpses in it for fee :)

Posted by: bobjohn at November 3, 2009 10:08 PM in response to Furnace 'False Starts'

chaps. I completely agree. We got the house a year ago and will replace boiler coming spring. We would do it past summer but in light of continued recession, we wanted to keep more cash on hands in case of employment difficulties, etc.

Posted by: bobjohn at November 3, 2009 10:02 PM in response to Furnace 'False Starts'

we posted on craigs list and got tenant signing lease 13 days latter. Brokers do not do magic. Just look at supply-demand and put reasonable price. Make good picture / description and people will come in.

... or maybe right now is slower time of the year.

Posted by: bobjohn at November 3, 2009 9:56 PM in response to Landlord Paying Broker?

I use to live next to fire house and latter next to police station. None of these bothered me. On the other side ambulances and garbage trucks are very anoing.

Posted by: bobjohn at November 3, 2009 9:51 PM in response to 11th Street Firehouses

second the sniffing dog point. The dog visit costs ~$200-300. Much cheaper then try to get rid of the bugs latter.

Posted by: bobjohn at November 3, 2009 9:49 PM in response to Bed Bug Early Detection

soliciting sx... hm economy recovering. :)

Posted by: bobjohn at November 3, 2009 2:53 PM in response to Illegal Dumping, Drugs, Rats

my furnace built in 1910. It turns itself on when water temperature goes bellow 150F. Thermostat controls the water circulator not the burner.

Posted by: bobjohn at November 3, 2009 2:47 PM in response to Furnace 'False Starts'

I usually stop by at the nurseries when we drive to upstate or to Vermont.

I cannot comment on prices. They are driven by supply/demand as I understand. Also just think how much effort is to grow a tree.

"Installing" tree is pretty straightforward process. Small trees are not heavy and will not damage your back. If you try to not get dirty - get latex gloves.

The most important is the location of the tree. Read about amount of sun it needs. Think about the composition of the garden. Also think how this tree will affect surrounding when it grows up. Tree next to the house can damage foundation wall or waste pipe or fence.

Posted by: bobjohn at November 1, 2009 9:12 AM in response to Where to Buy Small Tree?

I found phone bill and letters from 1912. I framed them and put on the wall in hallway.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 29, 2009 11:02 PM in response to Creepy Crawls in the Walls

the cramping tool to put RJ45 connectors cost ~$40 and box of connectors cost ~$7. You do not need permit to do anything with CAT5, you cannot set house on fire unless you connect it to the power wires and you cannot burn computer if you connect RJ45 the wrong way. So I do not see why it would stop you from doing it yourself.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 29, 2009 10:08 PM in response to Brownstone Ethernet Network

LL responsibilities end at calling exterminators. And they did it. AFAIK

Posted by: bobjohn at October 29, 2009 5:22 PM in response to Bed Bugs

BTW, if you do reno and thinking about recessed lighting opportunity, maybe it would make sense to put wires in place. Latter if you decide on it - make holes and hook up cans.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 29, 2009 1:55 PM in response to Thoughts on Recessed Lighting

it is wise to do what wife said.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 29, 2009 9:33 AM in response to Thoughts on Recessed Lighting

Call Master Plymber or eman1234. Both very respectable and professional.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 28, 2009 11:22 PM in response to Uneven Heat in Building

I bough this epoxy re glazing kit http://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-7860519-Refinishing-2-Part-White/dp/B000PTSBKW/ref=pd_cp_hi_1 and did it myself. So far I did not see any issues with the finish. Preparation took quite long time.
Besides having respirator, I would suggest to put big fan in the window and run it on high during the process and few hours after the process.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 28, 2009 11:10 PM in response to Epoxy Painting Bathtub

it is all sounds like more escalation of the situation with RS client. If you take him to the court for water, he will do something else.
Sounds like your tenant is passive-aggressive. He lives water running for 1-2hours. He goes to court and then pays the rent. Maybe he will get use to idea of not having the roof access and the thing will blow off?

Posted by: bobjohn at October 25, 2009 9:23 AM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

you know, that you will not be able to use mosquito net, window AC units or child window bars with this windows.

otherwise they suppose to better isolate drafts.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 22, 2009 3:56 PM in response to Tilt & Turn

great house.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 22, 2009 1:46 PM in response to Major Facade Restoration

roof insulation is very important (warm air moves up)

check all doors for draft. Especially attic door and the roof hatch. check skylight draft.
Check basement windows/doors/other places of draft.
tune up furnace/radiators
check the thermostat settings

Just consider yourself lucky - brick townhouse much better then detached frame house.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 21, 2009 3:45 PM in response to Weatherizing My Brownstone

your boiler looks scarier then mine. I have one from 1910 which was converted from firewood to coal and then to oil and then replaced oil pump.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 19, 2009 10:21 PM in response to Question for MasterPlvmber

neighbors will not be happy.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 19, 2009 10:19 PM in response to Change from 2- to 4-Family

I am sure there is bunch of them on craigs list and ebay. But if you buy something used and cheap and will have to replace it soonish, you probably will pay more for labor and replacement.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 19, 2009 10:17 PM in response to ISO: Inexpensive gas furnace

it is quite "post-industrial" to build studio from ground up with industrial style. I guess you mean to take an industrial space and convert it into studio.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 17, 2009 3:27 PM in response to To Build, or Not

sliding doors have three parts: two regular door panels (without martises) and rail. Door panels and the rails can be bought in any door shop. Use Bay Ridge windows & doors (ad on the right). Rail costs $60 or something.

Installation can be funky.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 15, 2009 11:00 PM in response to Where to Sliding Pocket Doors?

I am sure the seller will make all sorts of concessions for somebody with id "tiny kitten" :)

Posted by: bobjohn at October 13, 2009 11:43 PM in response to Offer Advice for 1st Timer

mm-mmmm bed bug express

Posted by: bobjohn at October 9, 2009 11:22 PM in response to Antique Shops

I did small room in my house with janitor machine. It took me whole day and I had bunch of bruises from the beast.

on the other side, if you need to do a whole floor, you have time and you do not need to move furniture it is doable. also you probubly can save if you will pros to sand and will take responsibility to put the poly yourself.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 9, 2009 11:16 PM in response to Sanding and Refinishing Floors

I had shower with glass wall in the middle of the hotel room in Luxembourg. I do not think it would work well if I would share room with somebody. Even a loose European girl.

I also had glass wall in Roppongi residence. Apparently so you can watch TV from the shower. But they had shades so to make environment private if necessary.

in two words - I would not recommend it.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 6, 2009 10:15 PM in response to En Suite bathroom

AstralOil says "two pipes". This means hot water heat (not steam). Am I wrong?

Posted by: bobjohn at October 5, 2009 4:09 PM in response to Cap for a removed radiator?

as alternative consider bike to work in lower Manhattan. it could be faster then public transport.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 4, 2009 6:01 PM in response to Living in Red Hook.... Should I?

raphael9: bottom line renter can stop paying rent (because LL entered apt without advance notice and something went missing). Renter can screw up apartment. He can make it extremely difficult to present apartment for prospective buyers. i.e. leave medical syringes or bedbug spray in the middle of the room. on the other side LL has little leverage here.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 4, 2009 5:50 PM in response to Right of Entry

live in it another two years and then take possession as abandoned property.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 4, 2009 5:34 PM in response to Bizarre Foreclosure Scenario

I think 1 floor easier to rent then duplix. for start, what kind of oerson rents duplex?

Posted by: bobjohn at October 3, 2009 11:43 PM in response to Double Duplex vs 3-over-1

projects near tow pond are scary. I feel uncomfortable walking down the Myrtle or Washington Ave at night as well.

Supermarkets do not sell good cheese and Washington Ave subway station is not good.

Posted by: bobjohn at October 1, 2009 4:35 PM in response to Clinton Hill/Bed Stuy

alternativly you can replace trees with allways-green kind (i.e. pines) or artificial trees. :)

Posted by: bobjohn at September 30, 2009 3:16 PM in response to Leaves over drainage in garden

are you talking about the big metal box sticking outside of the window for most of the year and subjected to all the rain/dirt of the street?

The only tip I would give you - protect your basement from the dirt stuck to the window A/C.

Posted by: bobjohn at September 29, 2009 1:23 PM in response to tips for storing window a/c unit

have extra apartment is a big deal. Including changing CofO, taxes, etc. If you just plan to have some family leaving there seldom, you probably can call room a recreation room, put a toilet without bathtub and do not put kitchen. Or check definition of "auxiliary kitchen" on DOB site.

Basically you do not want to qualify your basement as "another apartment". You want it to be an extension of your apartment. Search this forum there is a tons of info and references.

Posted by: bobjohn at September 28, 2009 5:23 PM in response to Finishing Basement

I am surprised, that they did not check weather forecast.

Posted by: bobjohn at September 28, 2009 5:18 PM in response to Ipe Deck seal

I am sorry, I made mistake in my email address.
I guess, I will pay for this with missing opportunity.

Posted by: bobjohn at September 28, 2009 11:32 AM in response to Free Chandeliers

I am interested: eamnesia (at)yahoo.com

thanks

Posted by: bobjohn at September 25, 2009 6:37 PM in response to Free Chandeliers

probably she want to collect post-fire insurance money for the building.

Posted by: bobjohn at September 25, 2009 5:54 PM in response to Old Gas Lines Safe?

I used mortgage broker. And it was right after September 15 last year. If you have problems with working out mortgage yourself - broker could be a good way to go. Fee is not that high any way.

Posted by: bobjohn at September 25, 2009 9:51 AM in response to Competent Mortgage Officer

BTW, I got P100 filters for the standard M3 6000 face mask. The package states, that it protects from Asbestos, Uramium and Plutonuim

Posted by: bobjohn at September 25, 2009 9:43 AM in response to Asbestos That's Not a Ripoff?

somewhere in earlier post people suggested to call FDNY and ask them to close water in the next house.

Posted by: bobjohn at September 22, 2009 11:44 PM in response to Leaky Cellar

"where they called my husband for a decision, who would have to call me; who would call the plumber/electrician, who would then call my husband back instead of me."

Seems like your husband's fault here, lol. Why didn't your husband just tell the contractor you were in charge, and refuse to discuss it?

Ask him that tonight over dinner :-)

Posted by: denton at November 6, 2009 1:31 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

Hang in there Argentina. I have been lucky in that I have not had a problem with this with the contractors I've used (I'm a youngish woman). I have been asked many times by various tradespeople where/who my husband is, but it simplifies things that there is no husband, ha ha, so there's no option but to address things directly with me. I am also very hands-on, which over time has won the respect of some tradespeople (the rest probably think of me as the crazy lady who asks a lot of questions). Most of the people who worked in my house saw me there dirty in my work clothes painting, fixing, or building.

Posted by: BHS at November 6, 2009 1:40 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

BHS, you sound like me! except no matter how much I do, or 'prove', the dynamic only improves temporarily; then it's right back to the you're-just-a-female-attitude even when I have to explain to people how to do their own job... so ridiculous. But I look at it more like a stupid-people problem than a sexist-issue, even though I know there would never even be a discussion if I was male.

Posted by: townhouser at November 6, 2009 1:47 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

Townhouser, I think with certain people there's nothing you can really do to "prove" yourself and change their attitude. I was lucky enough to work with a GC who treated me with respect (that should not be a question, but I'm sure there are lots out there who might be problematic for a single female client). There may have been things said by the subs to the GC, that he thankfully dealt with and did not pass on. I see this all the time in the corporate world so I was pleasantly surprised with my experience with construction. I would certainly be up in arms if I had a husband involved in the project and he were treated differently than I was.

Posted by: BHS at November 6, 2009 2:05 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

this reminds me of something that happened recently in my new nabe, Bay Ridge: I went to a hardware store on 3rd avenue to buy a bag of steel wool to plug up radiator holes. I walk in and the 20 something guy asks may I help you? I said, " I need a bag of steel wool please". He responded, "well what grade steel wool? What is HE planning on using it for? Because that makes a difference...." My jaw dropped! No way in hellz would anyone say that in my old 'hood (cobble hill) not even the old timers. And hellao, i'm in my 30's not some frail little old lady. Damn!

Posted by: bowl of dicks at November 6, 2009 3:33 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

I'm a guy. Guys can be quite crude and joke around with one another - it's a way of relating that can be foreign to many women - greeting your friends has b*st*rds, telling them they look like sh*t - but the examples the OT posted are totally off for both professional reasons and because it is sexist and intimidating. Some women could dish it back and maybe deal with it that way, but they shouldn't have too.

I guarantee the shop attendant would not have spoken that way to a male customer, and definitely would not have said that to a woman in the presence of a husband, boyfriend or other guy that the woman was with as it would potentially have resulted in a serious beat down.

If a contractor was that jocular with a man, or made such dismissive comments with respect to questions or issues raised, they would not get the business from the guy and no one would be saying "you need to be more thick skinned".

Posted by: 1842 at November 6, 2009 3:38 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

Argentina wrote:
"This guy had the thickest Bensonhurst accent imaginable."

Tsk...tsk, Argentina.
Shame on you!
Lack of awareness!
You are not hired, Argentina.

Posted by: Pigeon at November 6, 2009 4:21 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

"Males of all different occupations have very strange thoughts about women. It just hardware supply store blokes do not talk to any women so when they see you they cannot hold their ideas."

LOL, bobjohn.

Posted by: mopar at November 6, 2009 5:33 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

There are plenty of skilled professional contractors and suppliers out there so just keep on not hiring the a$$holes. If they have no respect for you then they'll do what they want on the job instead of what you're paying for.

I have my own tools and I know how to use them. I sweat pipes. But I don't have to prove anything to them. I'm not doing any heavy lifting - that's what I'm paying them for.

She who holds the checkbook holds the power.

PS I bought a wreck a long time ago. Got a lot of 'YOU'RE the owner?'. I assured them that it was OK, that it was legal for women to own property in New York State. They rarely GOT the sarcasm. rarely get that attitude any more.

Posted by: jfss at November 6, 2009 6:28 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

"where they called my husband for a decision, who would have to call me; who would call the plumber/electrician, who would then call my husband back instead of me."

Seems like your husband's fault here, lol. Why didn't your husband just tell the contractor you were in charge, and refuse to discuss it?

Ask him that tonight over dinner :-)

LOL -- we talked numerous times about how asinine it was that contractors refused to call me. It was like they were going through contortions NOT to talk to me. My husband and I would both tell them to stop calling him and to call me, yet they couldn't get it through their thick heads. Like a mental block or something that a woman would have decision making capacity.

I used to deal with this nonsense all the time when I worked in IT as a programmer and doing tech support. I worked at a huge academic medical center and the doctors would always questioned my ability when I showed up to fix their computers; my male colleagues never got second guessed like I did. Since they were essentially paying me, I took more BS than I would have liked, but when I'm doing the hiring, I reserve the right not to work with any contractors who have a pathological inability to respect women!

Posted by: brooklynstyle at November 6, 2009 7:14 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism