if your low water cutoff/ automatic water feed is a float type control, the float is probably stuck in the full position...flush out the water 3-4 times in rapid succession while rapping the side of the float sharply with the wooden handle of a hammer..that should free up the float...
it may also be that the switch has fused and needs to be replaced... if you have a probe typelwco, it needs to be cleaned or replaced
the bigger question is where is the water going?...is it leaking out of the return lines or pouring out of the main vents..you should have your system checked out by a heating pro, since it is ill advised to endlessly add water to a steam boiler..you are treating the symptoms, not addressing the underlying problem

Posted by: eman1234 at November 7, 2009 9:21 AM in response to Heating system not auto filling

the stupidest part of this is that some of my employees are women. and we still make dumbass sexist jokes..

Posted by: eman1234 at November 6, 2009 8:30 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

as archimedes said.. "give me a lever long enough and i will move the world"...given enough money and time and anything can be done...what is your budget?

Posted by: eman1234 at November 6, 2009 8:15 PM in response to Restoring Bricked-in Fireplace?

your gc is taking advantage of you..a price of a few thousand is absurd at best...it sounds like a backpitched feed line

Posted by: eman1234 at November 6, 2009 7:45 PM in response to Leaking Radiator?

i could take a look at it...i am a boiler guy, not a furnace guy...email me at errol832000@yahoo.com for a free consultation

Posted by: eman1234 at November 5, 2009 10:59 PM in response to Furnace or Thermostat Issues

the guy was a silly schmuck..do you really think that he was being serious or just trying to lighten up his intensely boring life behind the counter in a supply house

Posted by: eman1234 at November 5, 2009 10:49 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

let me clarify.. a contractor has to respect your values when he comes into your home... conversely, you should respect the values of the supply house when you go into their place of business, no matter how foreign it seems to you

Posted by: eman1234 at November 5, 2009 10:41 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

again..the woman who had a pass made at her was justified in thinking the guy was a creep.. but you going to a supply house and objecting to their culture is offensive on your part

Posted by: eman1234 at November 5, 2009 10:30 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

you are being way too sensitive...within the construction trades , workers are constantly teasing each other with homophobic and misogynistic jibes... it is not anything personal, just a culture of teasing each other, in a what appears to be from a naive point of view, a meanspirited or bigoted approach...it is humor..do not take it personally.. i am an atypical contractor, and when i started in this business 25 years ago, used to think that the spanish guys were calling me an american, i.e. gringo, when they said "maricon" (faggot)...get over it and stop being so thin skinned

Posted by: eman1234 at November 5, 2009 10:19 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

a five story building should have a hot water recirculation line built into a replumbing job

Posted by: eman1234 at November 5, 2009 9:46 PM in response to Pipe Sizing

sounds like you have a short in the stat wiring or a defective thermostat..did you replace the thermostat and not set the new stats settings to the appropriate mode?

Posted by: eman1234 at November 5, 2009 9:42 PM in response to Furnace or Thermostat Issues

greed knows no limit among lawyers...lol

Posted by: eman1234 at November 5, 2009 12:09 AM in response to Fee for Lawyer Acting as Broker

always have someone come to the job and look at it and get a written quote...otherwise the numbers mean nothing

Posted by: eman1234 at November 4, 2009 9:33 PM in response to Cost of Plumbing for Washer?

always have someone come to the job and look at it and get a written quote...otherwise the numbers mean nothing

Posted by: eman1234 at November 4, 2009 9:06 PM in response to Cost of Plumbing for Washer?

you should really hire an architect to consult on this, as it will need to be filed anyway...though i do not know either of them personally, both ed koppell and jim hill seem to know their stuff from their postings on brownstoner

Posted by: eman1234 at November 4, 2009 8:59 PM in response to DOB Regulations Query

what is the zone configuration...zoned by pumps or zoned by zone valves?...is it a primary pump setup or a primary/ secondary setup?...what is the zone controller?

Posted by: eman1234 at November 3, 2009 8:06 PM in response to Furnace 'False Starts'

you do not want to stop the leak at your basement...it should be stopped at the duct in the concrete junction box in the street...otherwise your feed is permanently soaked in street water

Posted by: eman1234 at November 2, 2009 9:24 PM in response to Water Leak in Basement

call pronto gas heating supply on chyrstie st in manhattan... really knowledgeable guys (btw they sell radiation as heating depot, so you probably already have their link)

Posted by: eman1234 at November 2, 2009 6:44 PM in response to Modern Steam Radiators

call pronto gas heating supply on chyrstie st in manhattan... really knowledgable guys (btw they sell radiation as heating depot, so you probably already have their link)

Posted by: eman1234 at November 2, 2009 6:44 PM in response to Modern Steam Radiators

call pronto gas heating supply on chyrstie st in manhattan... really knoledgable guys (btw they sell radiation as heating depot, so you probably already have their link)

Posted by: eman1234 at November 2, 2009 6:44 PM in response to Modern Steam Radiators

you would be lucky to get a free pickup..there is no way you will get any money for an old radiator

Posted by: eman1234 at October 29, 2009 11:21 PM in response to Cast Iron RADIATORS - for sale

the other big question is if the work will be guarenteed by the contractor to alleviate the problem, or is this another"sorry it didnt work lets try plan b" scenario

Posted by: eman1234 at October 28, 2009 5:29 PM in response to Uneven Heat in Building

pretty funny... me as alter ego.. i just personally do not get the aesthetic of convectors, but go figure... i had a client who wanted the "classic soho loft look" of a huge grid of 1 inch pipes as a radiator..never argue aesthetics...

Posted by: eman1234 at October 27, 2009 6:43 PM in response to Add an Air Vent? Round Two...

i think that the contractors were suggesting moving the boiler vent to the out side, using stainless steel b vent, not the steam lines...in order to free up the existing masonry chimney for a fireplace...you can also use stainless for a woodburning fireplace, but as i remember the last one that i put in required a 12 inch diameter stainless doublewall vent...check out a masonry alternative by all means

Posted by: eman1234 at October 27, 2009 6:34 PM in response to Fireplace Advice

it is true..but believe it or not some homeowners look upon a tree as a burden...watering sweeping leaves ,etc..... usually older, grumpier homeowners

Posted by: eman1234 at October 27, 2009 6:24 PM in response to Trees in Bed Stuy?

you can easily construct a 2nd bathroom if you can share a wet wall with the existing bathroom..hire an architect or contractor or plumber as a consultant

Posted by: eman1234 at October 27, 2009 6:22 PM in response to Creating a Second Bathroom?

check the main vent in the basement on the line that is not working...also is there apattern to the nonworking radiators? (e.g. upper floors )...are the nonworking radiators all on the same riser?...for a free consultation email me at errol832000@yahoo.com

Posted by: eman1234 at October 27, 2009 6:20 PM in response to Uneven Heat in Building

okay.. you wanted a "look", not an efficient heating system...forgive be for saying that this is stupid

Posted by: eman1234 at October 26, 2009 8:16 PM in response to Add an Air Vent? Round Two...

Electric Sewer and Drain Service out of the bronx or Drain King

Posted by: eman1234 at October 26, 2009 6:51 PM in response to Sewer Clog

no, while the air vent is an okay idea, it is a complete waste of money to replace all of your perfectly sized steam radiators with convectors...

Posted by: eman1234 at October 26, 2009 6:48 PM in response to Add an Air Vent? Round Two...

what a complete waste of money

Posted by: eman1234 at October 25, 2009 10:31 PM in response to Add Air Vent?

it can be done, but your oversized boiler will probably short cycle incessantly...also why not go hydronic for the top floors, since hot air furnaces are a really low rent system for heating, and are inappropriate for this heating zone

Posted by: eman1234 at October 25, 2009 10:28 PM in response to Steam Heating Systems

george taylor specialties in tribeca will have anything you need.. pricey, but knowledgeable..your plumber is not used to dealing with old fixtures

Posted by: eman1234 at October 25, 2009 10:14 PM in response to Claw Foot Tub Overflow

i am a brownstone owner, and also a contractor... did you not check out his references, etc?

Posted by: eman1234 at October 24, 2009 9:49 PM in response to ISO Construction Lawyer

george taylor specialties in tribeca

Posted by: eman1234 at October 22, 2009 7:40 PM in response to Cutting Rethread Chrome

like mp said, you are probably short cycling, i.e. the boiler is meeting pressure before the steam has a chance to meet the top floor's needs...you probably need to resize the vents on all floors... i would highly recommend gateway, since they are a really knowledgeable outfit, or i can take a look for a pro bono consultation..if interested email me @ errol832000@yahoo.com

Posted by: eman1234 at October 20, 2009 8:40 PM in response to Steam Heat on Top Floor

wtf pig three?...i was being apologetic for being to harsh on the op...

Posted by: eman1234 at October 20, 2009 7:27 PM in response to ISO: Inexpensive gas furnace

steam or hot water?...if steam, you will not get anywhere near the btus required out of cast iron baseboard...if you that worried about the burn issue (which i think is overblown), get some radiator covers made..

Posted by: eman1234 at October 20, 2009 7:14 PM in response to Replacing Radiators

try pronto gas heating supply on chrystie street in nyc..they are the most knowledgeable guys that i know

Posted by: eman1234 at October 19, 2009 10:58 PM in response to ISO: Inexpensive gas furnace

when you die from this stupid idea will you be happy that you saved a thousand dollars?

Posted by: eman1234 at October 19, 2009 9:43 PM in response to ISO: Inexpensive gas furnace

this seems like a stupid idea...you have no idea of the quality of the slab that you are buying, and will pay endlessly to get it made into your counter top..kind of like saying that you have a great deal on copper and want to make your own pipes

Posted by: eman1234 at October 19, 2009 9:39 PM in response to Cost to Fabricate Granite

hire an architect

Posted by: eman1234 at October 18, 2009 9:34 PM in response to Maximizing Square Footage

here is the quote from a post by mp:
I attended a seminar at National Grid’s offices yesterday that detailed some of the rebates and incentives currently being offered.
Of particular interest (to me anyway) is the oil-to-natural gas conversion boiler being given for $699 up to 245,000 BTUs.
A steam boiler of this size normally costs about $2,700 to purchase outright.
Of course, installation and options are priced separately.
http://www.burnham.com/independ_boiler.htm

If the conversion includes the installation of an indirect water heater, an additional $300 rebate is paid to the customer.
http://www.htproducts.com/literature/lp-81.pdf

Mid efficiency upgrades:
For customers currently using gas for heating, a boiler upgrade to 85% efficiency or more, up to 300,000 BTUs pays a rebate of $500.
Boilers 300,000-499,000 BTUs at 85% efficiency pay the customer $1,000.
http://www.burnham.com/pvg_scg.htm

High efficiency upgrades:
Hot water heating system boilers that are upgraded to 90% efficient or greater units, up to 300,000 BTUs pay a $1,000 rebate.
Boilers sized 301,000-499,000 BTUs pay $1,500.
http://www.triangletube.com/
In addition to this, the federal government is offering a 30% rebate on the installation of a boiler of this type with a cap at $1,500.

Indirect-fired water heaters which are rapidly increasing in popularity, installed as part of a conversion OR an existing gas customer’s upgrade pay $300.
http://www.htproducts.com/literature/lp-81.pdf

Steam boilers rated at 82% efficiency (must have an intermittent ignition system, no pilot light) replaced as a gas-to-gas unit pay $200.
http://www.burnham.com/independ_boiler.htm

The installation of an outdoor boiler reset control will pay the client $100.
http://www.tekmarcontrols.com/literature/acrobat/d279.pdf

Replacing steam traps in a two-pipe steam heating system will pay $25 per trap.
http://rcwapp.itt.com/SS_F-T-FEATURES-ADV-DISADV.asp

To qualify for these rebates, it is not necessary to use a National Grid “authorized” contractor. Hiring a plumber or heating contractor licensed by the NYC DOB is all that is required.
Here’s one:
http://www.GatewayPlumbing.com

Posted by Master Plvmber at 1:15 PM | Comments (5)
Categories: Heating

Posted by: eman1234 at October 18, 2009 9:22 PM in response to Question for MasterPlvmber

mp
i was more worried about the length of time due to an oil to gas conversion... a straight up gas replacement would not be a problem, but there are too many variables in a conversion to make me comfortable without a walkthrough to recommend a new boiler...i think that there is a systemic problem should be addressed before the boiler replacement is undertaken.. probably a sloppy steam to hydronic conversion with an old steam boiler dressed up with hot water trim.. i always respect your opinion, since your work incredibly good

Posted by: eman1234 at October 18, 2009 12:34 AM in response to Boiler/Radiator

first of all, this is not an undertaking to consider at the advent of heating season.. i do not service oil, and way prefer gas, but switching will incur additional costs (chimney cleaning or possibly relining, draining and appropriate removal of the oil tank, etc)...while you may experience some absolutely minor savings buying new equipment yourself, you should have a heating pro resize them as per the existing conditions , not just replacing the same items from however many years ago when the house was built..it is also hard for me to believe that the top 2 floors do not radiate any heat at all..even in a steam to hot water conversion that you describe, this is hard for me to believe...if you want a free consultation, email me @errol832000@yahoo.com

Posted by: eman1234 at October 17, 2009 7:56 PM in response to Boiler/Radiator

master plumber... i had to do exactly that today, because the client had replaced the thermostat himself..who the hell in nyc has forced hot air ( burnt air)

Posted by: eman1234 at October 16, 2009 9:57 PM in response to Unbalanced Heating in 2-Family

what a waste of money

Posted by: eman1234 at October 14, 2009 11:48 PM in response to Heartland Stove for Sale!

refinishing is nothing more than a spray acrylic job.. not worth the money...it invariably fails in 3 years with normal usage

Posted by: eman1234 at October 14, 2009 9:52 PM in response to Refinishing Cast Iron Tub

also make sure that you have bled all the air out of the system...air entrapment on the upper floors in a hydronic system is really common

Posted by: eman1234 at October 14, 2009 8:52 AM in response to Temperature in Tenant's Apt.

it sounds like your d/b firm is hosing you..the problem is that you have a timeframe, so that they think that they have you by the balls.. get out now if you can, since it will only get worse..i am a contractor and have never pulled this shit on a client (probably why i am not wealthy)

Posted by: eman1234 at October 13, 2009 9:38 PM in response to Changing Design/Build Midstream?

"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

If you can't install a hot water recirculating line from the Top Floor down to the equipment, they make special equipment that can go under a sink with a circulator on the hot water source which can work in the same manner. eman & MP are right, put something in no matter what size risers!! Actually, code states that a building 4 stories or more in height or buildings with the developed lenght of hot water piping from the source to the farthest fixture needs to have a recirculating line. As far as the info. you gave me, an engineer would be better suited to calculate properly the size of the piping.

Posted by: Brooklyn Plumber at November 6, 2009 3:31 PM in response to Pipe Sizing

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

Gates, do you also have central air? Also, please make sure when you take the thermostat off that you only have two wires and not four. Even though there are batteries, they could be a back up and your thermostat could be hard wired as well.

Posted by: Brooklyn Plumber at November 6, 2009 5:54 PM in response to Furnace or Thermostat Issues