gates_ave's Profile
Author's Posts
November 6, 2009
Furnace or Thermostat Issues
My furnace is not turning off. The temp is kept at around 68-70. Two days ago, I woke up to 82 degrees due to the furnace not stopping, thermostat was set to 68. I shut the heat off from the thermostat and reset it. Yesterday, I replaced the batteries. This evening, I turned on the heat and it kick off and continued to run up to 7 degrees, even when the thermostat was set at 68. Again I set the thermostat to off and reset it. This was not an issue back in early October, when we go some cold days, the furnace/thermostat was running ok for about 1-2 weeks. Any ideas? or Technician recommendations?
September 8, 2008
Review for Sewer/Drain company
I just had it done for $50 + $5 fuel surchage.
During the weekend storm, I saw 3-5 inches of standing water in my storm drain.
wwwa4995com, came over and seems to have done the job as tested with before and after water hose test, but I will have to wait for the next storm. Some muck came out as well.
I would not use roto rooter, when they came in the estimate was $325 and wanted to sell me some other treatment. Also, their sales department seems to put a lot of pressure on the customer and technician as I was able to hear some of the phone chat.
The difference here is that the $50 is only 30 day warranty and roto is 6 months.
By the way, I called Sensa and Phyton as recommended in this web, but they don't service my area.
For now, I will have to wait for the next storm to make sure this worked and be more diligent in cleaning leaves and soil that gets under my deck.
September 3, 2008
loud-beep on backing up
I live a few houses from a manufacturing area and one of the businesses is a lumber warehouse.
Recently, they have started to do their work from around 4:30am to 7am and use at least 2 heavy equipment carts that make a loud beeping noise when backing up.
The piercing noise of the equipment wakes me up.
Any one knows what is the noise code around manufacturing areas? I have not yet called 311.
July 9, 2008
Roof Skylight
Is it normal for roofing companies not to provide warranty on repairs? We got pricing from a reputable roofing company to replace 2 skylights, including necessary amendments to the structure where the skylight is placed.
I'm happy with their reputation, and the pricing seems fair. I'm a bit concerned that there's no warranty.
Also, a side question on tax, do one pays tax on materials or full work bill? etc.
June 20, 2008
aj mandison, pc richards or sears
I'm planning to buy a fridge spending around 1k-1.5K given the model I want.
Any opinions on AJ Madison or PC Richards? Any bad experiences?
I trust sears, but they are charging around 200 more. thanks.
June 18, 2008
Electric circuits per room
I would like to get a 10000 btu AC in a room, but worry about overloading the circuit.
The circuit box has a few breakers, maybe as many as the rooms in the apartment.
Is there an easy way to find how many circuits are per room? Thanks.
May 31, 2008
Basement Bulkhead door
I need to replace the door in my house with something just like this picture. Cement work to repair cracks around the original holding foundation will be needed. any recomendations on who can do this type of work and how much it might cost. I'm in the queens/brooklyn border, ridgewood.
Author's Comments
Thanks all for the helpful comments. I just ordered the replacement programmable thermostat (same mode) and will be changing it myself and check if it does the trick. Thanks again.
Posted by: gates_ave at November 6, 2009 1:25 PM in response to Furnace or Thermostat Issues
No, the thermostat has not been replaced. It's an inexpensive lux 500, I have no idea how old it is or when it was installed. The furnace is pretty old, probably over 20 years as per a check done by keyspand 2-3 years ago. I might try to buy the same thermostat and replace, however, i'm not a handy person. I'm just afraid that the issue might be something more serious and I will not be able to find the right person to check this out this late during the season.
Posted by: gates_ave at November 5, 2009 10:39 PM in response to Furnace or Thermostat Issues
I called Terminex before for a small termite issue I had and their package sounded like a scam. I also read several negative opinions on them and their packages. I went with a local pest control business which offered 1 or 2 years warranty. This was a few years ago, so I don't remember the name.
Posted by: gates_ave at October 2, 2009 2:45 PM in response to Termite fun...
We use Coscia & Amsterdam for the past 3 years, normal Itemization/2 family home. My in-laws have use them for many more years for their personal and small business.
8714 3rd Ave
Brooklyn, NY,
11209-5143
Phone: 718-238-0050
Fax: 718-238-8857
Posted by: gates_ave at September 16, 2009 4:10 PM in response to Need New Accountant
We use Coscia & Amsterdam for the past 3 years, normal Itemization/2 family home. My in-laws have use them for many more years for their personal and small business.
8714 3rd Ave
Brooklyn, NY,
11209-5143
Phone: 718-238-0050
Fax: 718-238-8857
Posted by: gates_ave at September 16, 2009 4:10 PM in response to Need New Accountant
A couple of years ago, we paid 3K for a new layer applied to the existing roof layer. I think ripping off the roof is more like a 10-20K job.
Posted by: gates_ave at September 9, 2009 10:31 PM in response to Roof Inspection Results - help!
I paid around $800 3 years ago. 2Fam/~600K. He's far out in Flushing, NY. Santucci, Michael A 718 886-7900
Posted by: gates_ave at June 19, 2009 4:27 PM in response to Is Lawyer Fee Reasonable?
I'm looking at refinancing via the same bank I have my mortgage with. Via the phone, they told me I do not have to pay mortgage tax, but the documents said other wise, so some clarification from them is due.
Posted by: gates_ave at September 9, 2008 11:57 AM in response to Mortgage Tax on a Refinance
Good idea, i got the business number and I'll give them a call. Their zone/block in Manufacturing, bordering my block on the left which is all Residential.
Thanks all for the replies.
Posted by: gates_ave at September 4, 2008 11:07 AM in response to loud-beep on backing up
Good idea, i got the business number and I'll give them a call. Their zone/block in Manufacturing, bordering my block on the left which is all Residential.
Thanks all for the replies.
Posted by: gates_ave at September 4, 2008 11:07 AM in response to loud-beep on backing up
Thanks for the reply. I wonder if starting at 4:30 AM is allowed, seems to early.
Posted by: gates_ave at September 3, 2008 10:40 AM in response to loud-beep on backing up
Yes, i just did a search out of curiosity and they are all over for a lot of $$.
I'm sure the city tossed a number of them in renovations etc, but they are still used in the schools and given the high prices on the web, I think selling them will encourage people to steel them. I hope the city realizes the historical and material value of them before all of them are gone from the old buildings.
It's just a pair of door nobs and there's a lot more material losses in schools due to theft on educatinal materials. However, if they are stolen, it is wrong and sad. Not sure if i can put them in my old house, I will feel guilty since i know how hard and how much theft is done in the buildings.
They are trully beatiful when you see them in person.
ps. found this link:
http://curbed.com/archives/2006/03/21/guilty_pleasures_public_school_knobs_edition.php
Owning the knob also makes me feel a bit guilty. In many cases, these have been stolen from schools over the past twenty or thirty years, as they can have a rather high antique value. Now, in addition to nostalgia, I can't help but wonder who removed it from the school in the first place.
Posted by: gates_ave at July 9, 2008 8:36 PM in response to Vintage Brass Public School Doorknobs
no accusations from my part, as maybe the school tossed them out, but the first thing it came to my mind when i saw them was stolen!
Also, I visit several schools in NYC and there's a pair of them in one of the older schools I know in Williamsburg. They are in the bathroom door of the main office.
i hope these where not taken in an illegal way. Schools have limited resources these days.
Posted by: gates_ave at July 9, 2008 8:09 PM in response to Vintage Brass Public School Doorknobs
Forgot to say, that bushwick is big and it changes for the worse the further east you go. I lived in dekalb / Myrtle and b/t Woodhool hospital and the projects.
Posted by: gates_ave at July 3, 2008 2:20 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)
Forgot to say, that bushwick is big and it changes for the worse the further east you go. I lived in dekalb / Myrtle and b/t Woodhool hospital and the projects.
Posted by: gates_ave at July 3, 2008 2:20 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)
I lived in Bushwick for 6-7 years, moved 2 years ago. As a female, I lived with female roomates for 3 years and another 3 years with my husband. I had no issues at all.
Now i live in ridgewood, queens, just accross the border. The difference is that ridgewood is very clean (no rats/roaches), 10-15 mins extra commute time (50 mins to mid-town - 30-40 mis to 14 st.), and it is very family oriented, many people own their own houses.
If I could have keep my rental in Bushwick I would have stay longer as it was below market rate at the time.
Posted by: gates_ave at July 3, 2008 2:18 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)
Thanks all again for all the helpful tips.
Posted by: gates_ave at June 18, 2008 10:21 PM in response to Electric circuits per room
Thanks for the advice.
We have 5 lines metal clad bx. One skinny galvanized tube that seems to go to the back. 8 breakers 3@20 amp. We will do the isolation test, but we are also thinking about getting an electrician to provide an evaluation. thanks again.
Posted by: gates_ave at June 18, 2008 8:27 PM in response to Electric circuits per room
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
i paid $1000.. Gilmer. 718-864-2011.
Posted by: sPecific at June 19, 2009 7:58 PM in response to Is Lawyer Fee Reasonable?
Our lawyer's flat rate is $2000. We paid him less, as friends, but I think the consensus is that $2000 is pretty standard.
They bargain on most transactions being straightforward. So you pay less than the hourly fee would come to in a complex closing, more than it'd come to in a simple closing. The thing is, you don't know until you start signing things just how complex the closing is going to be. In our case ... well. We got way, way more than our money's worth and I still thank my lucky stars that we had a good lawyer.
$5000, though? Woah.
Posted by: serpentor at June 20, 2009 12:25 PM in response to Is Lawyer Fee Reasonable?
I used Robert (Bob) Dubno twice in the last 6 years and found him to be very thorough. I dont remember what I paid but I highly recommend him for brownstone purchases or sales as he is very familiar with all. He is on 7th avenue and President
Posted by: deanst at June 20, 2009 4:52 PM in response to Is Lawyer Fee Reasonable?
i hadnt thought about the comparison of value added by lawyers and brokers.
Now I'm pissed off.
Posted by: slick at June 21, 2009 2:35 AM in response to Is Lawyer Fee Reasonable?
I made the same observation last year when we sold our house... Why does the broker make so much and the re lawyer so little in comparison. The lawyer truly did 10x the work.
Posted by: Architerrorist at June 21, 2009 12:50 PM in response to Is Lawyer Fee Reasonable?
My lawyer made the same observation when we closed. I have to agree.
Posted by: mopar at June 21, 2009 6:10 PM in response to Is Lawyer Fee Reasonable?
Architerrorist - I have been following your posts and am impressed with your feedback and knowledge of the neighborhood. I am looking at moving closer to you from my lifelong residence of Midwood and would love to pick your brain a bit. Is there a way to PM someone here?
Posted by: littleb at June 30, 2009 5:23 PM in response to Is Lawyer Fee Reasonable?
OP Throwing a new layer of roofing over the existing roof will give you 10-15 years to think about whether you want to spend 20k on a tear off. Inspector didn't say anything about rotting wood or leaking skylights? What shape is the chimney in?
Se- Torching down or heat welding rolled roofing on older wood flat roofs has been illegal for some time now after homes started burning down. Cold applied adhesives are now used.
Posted by: IMBY at September 12, 2009 9:10 PM in response to Roof Inspection Results - help!
We use Coscia & Amsterdam for the past 3 years, normal Itemization/2 family home. My in-laws have use them for many more years for their personal and small business.
8714 3rd Ave
Brooklyn, NY,
11209-5143
Phone: 718-238-0050
Fax: 718-238-8857
Posted by: gates_ave at September 16, 2009 4:10 PM in response to Need New Accountant
I would suggest that you do NOT use Terminex. We hired them to eliminate some wood-boring beetles in the cellar. To make a long story short, they proved themselves to be incompetent. We fought to get our $600 back, and we won. Please spare yourself a lot of aggravation; do not use Terminex.
Posted by: PresRez at October 2, 2009 3:18 PM in response to Termite fun...
I just replaced the thermostat and it cycled well and turned off. I found out the furnace is 55 years old, 1954. Hopefully this keeps the furnace going for another winter.
Posted by: gates_ave at November 13, 2009 11:26 PM in response to Furnace or Thermostat Issues