jschwa's Profile

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Author's Posts

June 30, 2008

Frequency of sewer line cleaning?

How often do I need to have my home sewer line cleaned out? and how much should this cost?

The sewer line is relatively new and was replaced in a big renovation in 2002.

Thanks!

February 17, 2008

Financing renovation through construction loan?

We are looking to buy a brownstone that we need to gut renovate, but we can't really afford to pay for the renovation out of our savings.

Are there mortgages where we can finance the renovation?

I have heard there are "construction loans" one can get, but how do they normally work? (e.g., money down, timing, terms, etc.)

Thanks!

November 20, 2007

Removing lead paint from iron gate?

We have an iron gate with lead paint (and several layers of other paint on top of it) protecting the garden entrance to our brownstone.

We want to have it protected and sealed up (since some of the paint is flaking off), and I have received several suggestions on how to deal with this. Since it would be difficult to have the gate removed, I think I am going to have the gate encapsulated in place. A few questions:

1. Do I need to have the paint in the impact services stripped before encapsulating? While some contractors have suggested this, given that these areas (e.g., the jamb) are covered by layers of intact non-lead paint, I am worried that the stripping may create more problesm rather than less.

2. Is it safe to have a contractor working with Rock Miracle (methylene chloride) on the gate to the front door with my baby inside on the other side)?

Thanks for any advice!

Author's Comments

Just to clarify: the contractor would be working outside, though this is the gate protecting the entrance under the stoop.

The door would be sealed with plastic, though I am still a little nervous about it.

Posted by: jschwa at November 20, 2007 6:55 AM in response to Removing lead paint from iron gate?

How did you end up dealing with this?

Were you happy with who did the work?

I am dealing with a very similar problem. I think we are going to cement up the walls, though I am still trying to decide what to do with the iron gate (probably encapsulate in place).

Every contractor has different recommendations, and I am trying to decide what will be best (e.g., do we need to strip impact areas of the gate before encapsulating)?

Posted by: jschwa at November 20, 2007 7:11 AM in response to Lead Paint Removal

I am still working on the fallout shelter in the basement :-)

I know I am a bit paranoid, but I wouldn't want anything to impact my child (like lead dust or chemicals) that is so easily prevented (obviously there are a lot of other dangers that are harder to avoid).

Posted by: jschwa at November 20, 2007 2:06 PM in response to Removing lead paint from iron gate?

OP here. Thanks for the info.

I had a sewer back-up due to a clog in my sewer main (apparently from grease build-up in the pipe exiting the house), and that got me nervous about the problem. Maybe this was just a one-off event.

Can't imagine flushing plaster unless you were trying to get back at the client.

Posted by: jschwa at July 1, 2008 9:45 AM in response to Frequency of sewer line cleaning?

Responses to Author's Forum Comments

as long as the paint is kept WET, and disposed of properly, it should not be a problem. You need to be concerned about lead dust, created by dry scraping or otherwise. Lead paint in wet solution doesn't pose a hazard

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 7:03 AM in response to Removing lead paint from iron gate?

do you have one of those "go bags" in your basement in case of nuclear attack or maybe just a heavy smog day?

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 8:59 AM in response to Removing lead paint from iron gate?