davieeng's Profile
- 1971
- October 2008
- Queens
- Sheepshead Bay
- House
- Male
Author's Posts
December 26, 2008
Squirrel Trapper recommendation
Does anyone know of a Squirrel Trapping service in NYC that they can recommend?
I have squirrels running through the space between my second floor ceiling and roof. And I believe they have been entering from two small areas behind the gutters. I would need someone to repair and seal the entryways to prevent future infestations and further damage to the house.
Any leads greatly appreciated.
December 6, 2008
Where to buy plexiglass for storm door?
Does anyone know where is a good place in Brooklyn or Queens to buy a few square feet plexiglass?
The plexiglass on the bottom-half of my storm door cracked so I will need to replace it before the cold of winter sets in.
November 23, 2008
Replacing a Sewer Line...
This is a photo of the front of my house in Queens.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davieeng/3053055827/
(...or larger) http://www.flickr.com/photos/davieeng/3053055827/sizes/l/
I am looking to possibly have my sewer line replaced. The dotted red line indicates where the sewer pipe is located underground.
And my sewer line is about 50 feet long to the center of the street.
In general, how much excavation work do they need to do in order to replace the entire line leading up to the street? Do they have to dig a trench for the entire length.. or do they dig a couple holes in the street/sidewalk and then another hole/trench in the garden?
Just trying to get an idea of how much excavation ("destruction") needs to be done before I start calling up the local sewer/main guys for estimates and video inspection. Any sewer plumbers recommendation appreciated too.. And a ballpark figure for replacing up to 50 feet of piping.
I was also told by a "Rooter" guy who was snaking out my sewer line recently that the underground sewer pipe within my basement might be back pitched as well ("great") . Does anyone have experience with this type of problem? If it's true, I'm not looking forward to excavating my basement too.
-D
October 20, 2008
Handyman Recommendation – Brooklyn/Queens?
I've just started visiting the Brownstoner site and wish there was a site like this dedicated to Queens which is where I live. This site is such a great resource for getting home renovation advice and recommendations!
That said, if anyone happens to know of a great Handyman, please recommend them to me.
I need a handyman (or contractor) with experience to help "cap" or build a small roof over my bow window.
Thanks!
Author's Comments
It might be wise to get a video inspection of your sewer line to check its condition. You don't want to finish your basement and then realize your sewer line is in need of repair.
Posted by: davieeng at August 5, 2009 9:39 PM in response to Sewer Line Replacement
Correction to vinca's post:
The Compost Giveback program which they unfortunately discontinued is separate from the MulchFest event that they have every January.
The annual MulchFest event is still alive. But you will have to wait until Jan. 2010.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/services/mulchfest/mulchfest.html
Posted by: davieeng at April 6, 2009 11:05 AM in response to truck load mulch
There are numerous places in Brooklyn to bring your scraps.
Check the list on this page –
http://www.openplans.org/projects/compost/resource-sheet-with-other-locations
If you are in Manhattan, you can drop off your refuse with the Lower East Side Ecology Center at the Union Square Green Market Composting Stand or at the LESEC Garden.
http://www.lesecologycenter.org/composting_dropoff.html
Call in advance to make sure they will accept your scraps.
Posted by: davieeng at March 14, 2009 3:59 PM in response to where to dispose of garden refus
Werner,
Thanks for your offer to lend the Evictor to me.
But I don't have an attic to place it in.
I have a flat roof house. And the squirrel is in the tight space between the roof and ceiling.
Posted by: davieeng at December 29, 2008 9:50 AM in response to Squirrel Trapper recommendation
Wow, that IS quite a squirrel story!
Donatella, thanks for the referrals.
Posted by: davieeng at December 27, 2008 10:32 AM in response to Squirrel Trapper recommendation
I'm not sure if "sprayfoam" and "plywood" would be a smart solution since they can easily chew their way through that.
Hardware cloth is what's needed.
I need a Trapper to install "one-way exclusion devices" to the suspected entryways so that once the squirrels exit the interior of our house, they can't come back in.
If we don't do that, the squirrels would simply die inside the ceiling and create even more problems like rotting carcasses, stench and insects.
And then, after we're sure all of the squirrels are gone from the house, we'll have the gaps sealed.
And because I have a squirrel problem, it doesn't mean I have a badly sealed house and high utility bills. Let's not come to quick conclusions.
Posted by: davieeng at December 26, 2008 6:53 PM in response to Squirrel Trapper recommendation
Thanks, guys for your help. I'll check these places out.
-D
Posted by: davieeng at December 7, 2008 1:59 PM in response to Where to buy plexiglass for storm door?
Thanks, Sense.. I will keep Bob Maletta's contact number handy!
Posted by: davieeng at December 3, 2008 9:22 PM in response to Handyman Recommendation – Brooklyn/Queens?
Kost & Kost Roofing is terrific. Great service.
http://www.kostnkost.com/index.html
They're also listed on Angie's List.
http://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/MyAngie/CheckTheList/SPInformation.aspx?OizezslthPy%2fJX6QMXmSx9PoNK%2fcgbi00atP5jS1vPT4vUf%2fAyvYTA%3d%3d
Posted by: davieeng at December 2, 2008 10:18 PM in response to can you rec a roofer?
eFortGreene,
Thanks for your reply..
It's interesting to know that they were able to tunnel.
Just curious–
How much new sewer pipe was laid down?
And how much did you pay Harris's work?
Posted by: davieeng at December 2, 2008 1:17 PM in response to Replacing a Sewer Line...
.
Posted by: davieeng at November 29, 2008 5:16 PM in response to Replacing a Sewer Line...
Try Crystal Windows in Whitestone, Queens.
Posted by: davieeng at November 28, 2008 1:26 PM in response to does anybody know where to find good but cheap windows?
Thanks for the replies everyone.
I guess I won't really know how much of the line needs replacing until I get the video inspection.
When scheduling a video inspection, do you usually use the company that will be doing the excavation work? And how much does it usually cost?
Posted by: davieeng at November 24, 2008 10:02 PM in response to Replacing a Sewer Line...
$15K to excavate and install a new line?
Anyone else pay this much for a new sewer line?
I thought installing liners was declared "Not an approved repair method" in NYC by the Dept. of Buildings.
I've been told numerous times that my sewer line is backpitched. So I'm going to finally get a video camera inspection within the next month or so to really see what is going on down there.
Lately, I've had to have the "$49.95" Rooter guys snake out my clogged sewer line every 6-9 months. And that's not normal.
I'm interested in getting a new sewer line installed before I consider renovating my basement. Although it's costly, I will have peace of mind that my basement won't get flooded by raw sewage.
Posted by: davieeng at November 23, 2008 10:26 PM in response to Replacing a Sewer Line...
Thanks for the Mr. Handyman recommendation.
I'm not sure if a roofer would be willing to do this type of job. The bow window is easily accessible from the first floor. And it only juts out three inches – so there's not much space to cap off. Might have to remove the first layer of stone wall that's above the bow window though.
Here's a photo of my window–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davieeng/2906741453/sizes/l/
I'm looking at probably capping it off with vinyl somewhat along the lines of this photo–
http://proofroof.com/PhotoGallery/albums/islander/photo-09.jpg
Posted by: davieeng at October 20, 2008 4:59 PM in response to Handyman Recommendation – Brooklyn/Queens?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
home depot carries plexi but they will not cut it.
if you need assistance, please feel free to contact me:
Steve Cymbalsky
www.thetinkerswagon.com
Posted by: thetinkerswagon at December 8, 2008 9:41 AM in response to Where to buy plexiglass for storm door?
home depot carries plexi but they will not cut it.
if you need assistance, please feel free to contact me:
Steve Cymbalsky
www.thetinkerswagon.com
Posted by: thetinkerswagon at December 8, 2008 9:41 AM in response to Where to buy plexiglass for storm door?
I am a Handyman working in Park Slope, Prospect Heights and other areas.
I do many things, I've been painting a lot of condos in Williamsburg lately.
You can see many examples of my work on my blog: http://handymaneric.com
or email me: eric@handymaneric.com
thx again, eric.
Posted by: HandymanEric at December 19, 2008 9:56 AM in response to Handyman Recommendation – Brooklyn/Queens?
Search for "squirrel" in past threads—there have been several on wildlife control, including a memorable post about a marauding squirrel by Donatella.
For comic relief, search online for the NPR program "This American Life" and a segment about a bungling, squirrel-chasing cop.
Posted by: vinca at December 26, 2008 7:00 PM in response to Squirrel Trapper recommendation
Ah, you can imagine how my eyes lit up when I saw this post.
Yes, indeed, I had a visit from the pits of hell -- Rocky, a special Brooklyn breed of squirrel, who went on a 2 day tear through my duplex apartment. He got in through a rotten place in the soffit, exploding into my apartment, pissed off and starved and proceeded to eat all my custom blinds, original shutters, scratched the innards of my window frames and best of all, got into the pantry, found a box of chocolate bars, brought them upstairs to the living room, opened them, daintily, and proceeded to eat them on my white couches. He then walked all over the couches, leaving chocolate paw prints everywhere. Before he learned how to use my computer or start calling 900 numbers, I enlisted the help of the wonderful Guido Amati of Bravo Exterminating. He is a prince, who came over the next day with a trap - a one way cage, baited with crackers and peanut butter. In addition to the emergency emotional support consisting of making me laugh (you can't make this stuff up), Guido returned to remove Rocky and take him somewhere -- supposedly the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He could be in your attic, since Guido swore he didn't kill him. (He said I could if I wanted but it is against the law for exterminators to kill them). Anyway, you can rent one of these traps from the ASPCA, but the hard part is actually removing the trapped squirrels. Trust me, they are very angry at you, maybe even angrier than you are at them and that is what Guido did for me. Call him at 212-465-7579. Good luck. Make Guido take him far, far away.
Posted by: donatella at December 26, 2008 9:38 PM in response to Squirrel Trapper recommendation
Ah, you can imagine how my eyes lit up when I saw this post.
Yes, indeed, I had a visit from the pits of hell -- Rocky, a special Brooklyn breed of squirrel, who went on a 2 day tear through my duplex apartment. He got in through a rotten place in the soffit, exploding into my apartment, pissed off and starved and proceeded to eat all my custom blinds, original shutters, scratched the innards of my window frames and best of all, got into the pantry, found a box of chocolate bars, brought them upstairs to the living room, opened them, daintily, and proceeded to eat them on my white couches. He then walked all over the couches, leaving chocolate paw prints everywhere. Before he learned how to use my computer or start calling 900 numbers, I enlisted the help of the wonderful Guido Amati of Bravo Exterminating. He is a prince, who came over the next day with a trap - a one way cage, baited with crackers and peanut butter. In addition to the emergency emotional support consisting of making me laugh (you can't make this stuff up), Guido returned to remove Rocky and take him somewhere -- supposedly the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He could be in your attic, since Guido swore he didn't kill him. (He said I could if I wanted but it is against the law for exterminators to kill them). Anyway, you can rent one of these traps from the ASPCA, but the hard part is actually removing the trapped squirrels. Trust me, they are very angry at you, maybe even angrier than you are at them and that is what Guido did for me. Call him at 212-465-7579. Good luck. Make Guido take him far, far away.
Posted by: donatella at December 26, 2008 9:38 PM in response to Squirrel Trapper recommendation
Oh and I forgot to mention, Manny Lasalle, who is a fireplace, chimney guy who knows about squirrels and roofs, helped me find the entry point and plugged it up with mesh wire and concrete. Manny's skill is fireplaces and chimneys but he might be able to help you out with plugging up your entry point. His number is 917-292-1825.
Posted by: donatella at December 26, 2008 9:46 PM in response to Squirrel Trapper recommendation
Donatella, i loved that story.
Posted by: lookin fer stuff at December 26, 2008 10:08 PM in response to Squirrel Trapper recommendation
Donatella, to get rid Rocky, who seems to have very special tastes, are you sure he didn't bait the trap with Lindt and Ligne Roset?
Posted by: Susan Elkins at December 27, 2008 10:15 AM in response to Squirrel Trapper recommendation
Wow, that IS quite a squirrel story!
Donatella, thanks for the referrals.
Posted by: davieeng at December 27, 2008 10:32 AM in response to Squirrel Trapper recommendation
I believe it costs around $300 to $400 for a video inspection.
Posted by: davieeng at August 6, 2009 10:36 AM in response to Sewer Line Replacement