fedefedel's Profile
Author's Posts
May 21, 2008
Ceiling Fan Repair
My ceiling fan's chain that operates the option of having the fan on or off no longer works. I took it apart and found I can't do anything to get the "click" to work again, so I electrical taped some wires closed so that, for now, the fan part stays closed when I open the light. I don't know what else to do at this point and would like it fixed before the warm weather sets in. Can anyone recommend someone reliable for such a job (knowing it is small)? An electrician would be ideal, but I don't know who to call and I have a feeling they'd probably pass on such a small job. Perhaps I can buy another piece to replace and try it again?Please help with any recommendations! Thanks so much in advance...
May 4, 2008
Fire Department Inspection
I was hoping someone has had experience with a fire department inspection for the oil burner? I received a notice for an inspection to be set up and of course am nervous whenever I hear the word "inspection" which sounds invasive and accusatory right off the bat, even though I know everything is fine. Does anyone know what they look for and/or fine? Thanks so much in advance.
October 4, 2007
Fix stained brownstone
I had a contractor install intercom bells in my building. In the process, he replaced my existing simple bell with the intercom box on the garden floor of the building. I'm not exactly sure how he did this, but in breaking the outer wall to gain room for the new box he had to patch it back up and ended up staining a large area of the wall around the box with whatever material he used. There is now an orange-y 3' x 3' area that contrasts greatly with the existing brownstone color and looks incredibly awful. The contractor seems like he really does not know what to do to fix it. Can anyone offer some advice as to what to do or who to call for such a small yet significant job? I appreciate ANY help you can offer with this...
September 23, 2007
Intercom System vs. Plain Bells
Hi fellow brownstoners,
I am hoping to install an intercom system for my five family brownstone. Right now it has the very old bell system where the raggedy bells are located beneath each apartment's individual mailbox slot, which has not been working. Would anyone know what the cost would be to upgrade to an intercom system given that my old bell wires are fried and would probably require new wiring altogether? What is involved in such an endeavor?
Thanks so much for any advice, insight and recommendations!
August 20, 2007
Ceiling Fan Installation
I am going to be installing a new ceiling fan and am hoping a good person can be recommended for this. Does it have to be an electrician? Also, how much (roundabouts) will it cost? Obviously I have never done this before and appreciate any advice!
August 18, 2007
Painting the Fire Escape
I wanted to paint the fire escape of my four story building. It hasn't been painted in about ten years, so there is a bit of chipping as can be imagined. I will need it chipped and painted and am looking for reliable people to do this for me. Any recommendations? I got an estimate from a neighborhood contractor for about $4500. Seems high? Also, how long do you think this would take? Thanks kindly in advance.
Author's Comments
5:16 PM -- Thank you so much for the advice. I will try Essexworks. I just had a thought to ask some workers on my block who are refacing a brownstone if they'd take a look at it tomorrow and perhaps help me out.
Again, thanks for your help!
Posted by: fedefedel at October 4, 2007 5:35 PM in response to Fix stained brownstone
7:26PM -- What is B.P.M.?
Posted by: fedefedel at October 5, 2007 4:13 AM in response to Fix stained brownstone
OP here: Thank you all for your helpful input. A number of years ago (I believe about ten) an inspector had come and signed off on everything, but I hadn't heard anything since then. Everything you all said they check for I have, so I guess there is nothing to worry about. I just hate the word "inspection"! I was scared they'd fine me for storing things in the basement (not the closed off boiler room, I mean the open part of the basement areas). Again, much thanks!
Posted by: fedefedel at May 5, 2008 4:11 PM in response to Fire Department Inspection
OP here: I don't have storage lockers for tenants in the basement. Just my own stuff.
Posted by: fedefedel at May 8, 2008 5:09 PM in response to Fire Department Inspection
I thought about getting a new one, but was wondering how much it would then cost me to have it installed (by an electrician). I'm trying to go the best route, safety-wise and price-wise.
Posted by: fedefedel at May 21, 2008 5:19 PM in response to Ceiling Fan Repair
Did the landlord let your boyfriend know of his intentions to raise the rent by $150 once the lease expired? It sounds as though your boyfriend already knew of the increase and just didn't bother to communicate with the landlord about the new lease, just as the landlord was lax about writing up a new one. I still believe, however, that in all decency the landlord should not try to recover the other two months increase and just reflect the new amount in this new lease, and start the new lease term this month ending one year from now with the new rent amount reflected. Hope all works out well for you.
Posted by: fedefedel at July 5, 2008 5:24 PM in response to Raising the Rent - backdating..?
Did the landlord let your boyfriend know of his intentions to raise the rent by $150 once the lease expired months ago perhaps? It sounds as though your boyfriend already knew of the increase and just didn't bother to communicate with the landlord about the new lease once the date hit, nor increased his check to him, just as the landlord was lax about writing up a new lease and going forward. I still believe, however, that in all decency the landlord should not try to recover the other two months increase and just reflect the new amount in this new lease, and start the new lease term this month ending one year from now with the new rent amount reflected. Hope all works out well for you.
Posted by: fedefedel at July 5, 2008 5:25 PM in response to Raising the Rent - backdating..?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Essexworks is great but it's such a small job. It's tough to get anyone out for something like that. Maybe, though, they could recommend a product for cleaning. The owner's name is Doug. Best of luck.
Posted by: guest at October 4, 2007 5:16 PM in response to Fix stained brownstone
5:16 PM -- Thank you so much for the advice. I will try Essexworks. I just had a thought to ask some workers on my block who are refacing a brownstone if they'd take a look at it tomorrow and perhaps help me out.
Again, thanks for your help!
Posted by: fedefedel at October 4, 2007 5:35 PM in response to Fix stained brownstone
What's the address, I'll mighy stop by and give you some B. P. M.
Posted by: guest at October 4, 2007 7:26 PM in response to Fix stained brownstone
7:26PM -- What is B.P.M.?
Posted by: fedefedel at October 5, 2007 4:13 AM in response to Fix stained brownstone
Could B.P.M. stand for Brownstone Painting Material? OP, I'm curious too, but that's what I came up with!
Posted by: bren at October 5, 2007 11:30 AM in response to Fix stained brownstone
Brownstone Patching Mortar
Sorry :)
Posted by: guest at October 5, 2007 1:14 PM in response to Fix stained brownstone
where do you put storage lockers for tenants?
we only have a boiler room that is separated by a low wall- would we not be able to store stuff in there?
Posted by: guest at May 5, 2008 4:58 PM in response to Fire Department Inspection
OP here: I don't have storage lockers for tenants in the basement. Just my own stuff.
Posted by: fedefedel at May 8, 2008 5:09 PM in response to Fire Department Inspection
The three speed switches are fairly fragile, but easy to replace. If you remove the switch and bring it to Lamp Warehouse on Ft. Hamilton Pkwy they;ll sell you a replacement and give you instructions on how to wire it. IIRC the last time i bought one it was around $15.The switches are much cheaper at Lowes, but there's no one to give you instructions.
OTOH, if you'd actually consider hiring an electrician to install a new fan, replacing the switch might be too difficult for you. That's not a criticism, but if you can't do simple jobs like this on your own, you've got to be prepared to spend a LOT of money
Posted by: Bob Marvin at May 21, 2008 5:58 PM in response to Ceiling Fan Repair
Did the landlord let your boyfriend know of his intentions to raise the rent by $150 once the lease expired months ago perhaps? It sounds as though your boyfriend already knew of the increase and just didn't bother to communicate with the landlord about the new lease once the date hit, nor increased his check to him, just as the landlord was lax about writing up a new lease and going forward. I still believe, however, that in all decency the landlord should not try to recover the other two months increase and just reflect the new amount in this new lease, and start the new lease term this month ending one year from now with the new rent amount reflected. Hope all works out well for you.
Posted by: fedefedel at July 5, 2008 5:25 PM in response to Raising the Rent - backdating..?
OP here:
Thanks for your empathy!
4:34PM -- You got that right! It's such a shame when incompetent people just throw themselves into projects without thinking about the ramifications, and then make it seem like the owner is being picky!
4:34PM -- I did try to clean it but alas it is stained in some way. It seems it will be hard to match the original color. Do you have any recommendations as to what product to use or a reputable brownstoner to consult?
Posted by: fedefedel at October 4, 2007 4:48 PM in response to Fix stained brownstone