lavioletta's Profile
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June 13, 2008
Stoop: Re-surface or just patch?
The stairs of our brownstone stoop have several clips and holes, apparently from salting the steps, and some are deep. But most of the surface is fine, including the landings.
Does anyone have advice on whether it is okay to just patch the holes as a stopgap measure for a few years and if so, with what material?
Or should we bite the bullet and resurface the stairs for $3,000?
May 21, 2008
How to reinforce support columns in cellar?
Can anyone weigh in on whether it is a good idea to reinforce brick support columns in a brownstone cellar by injecting them with cement? A contractor recommended this in addition to repointing. The support columns definitely need some strengthening -- our brownstone is more than 100 years old -- but this is the first we had heard of this procedure.
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Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Save a lot of money and time: purchase a thru-the-wall model and sleeve for it. This will cost more than window mounted unit but NOT $750! Mount this unit on the window sill. All exhaust will be from the rear and to the outdoors. Cut a white styrofoam batt (get it from the packing materials) to fill in open spaces. Much better with out scarring the windows and the unit goes when you go.
Posted by: guest at June 10, 2008 12:57 PM in response to need to get an AC cage/box installed
If you are in northern Brooklyn (Slope/Heights etc.), I use Vinnie's Italian Art. They did the exact same job for us last summer and came the same day that we called. They were done in about an hour, and their prices were competitive. They did some other work for us as well.
If you live closer to the Bronx, S&V iron works did great work for us on a wrought-iron terrace railing and they definitely do window bars. I highly recommend both of them.
Posted by: lavioletta at June 10, 2008 10:03 AM in response to need to get an AC cage/box installed