leslie's Profile
Author's Posts
July 20, 2008
Looking for Con Ed Alternatives
Hi,
As a new home owner in Riverdale/Bronx with gas and electric we were shocked at how expensive it was to heat our home last year.
We have heard about companies that offer cheaper alternatives to using Con Ed.
Could anyone offer some suggestions of other companies to look at and tips on how to approach the process.
Thanks
December 4, 2007
Caulk/Grout cracking question?
Two months ago my husband and I had a bathroom gut renovated in a new home we purchased. In the two months since it's completion we have noticed a great deal of cracking/splitting in the caulking/grouting along the baseboards, in between some tiles and also in the area between the outer base of the tub and floor which is cracking too. We are certain that this problem will just get worse and worse.
What can we attribute this problem too? We want to speak with the contractor about it, but need to have a perspective as to why this has happened first so he doesn't brush us off. Fortunately, we have a final payment to make, but only want to exercise this leverage if indeed this is a mistake on his part.
Thanks for the advice in advance.
Leslie
November 3, 2007
Is PVC okay for Homes in 5 boros?
I did a variation of this post the other day and got a wide range of yes and no answers.
Some people replied strongly "Yes" and others strongly "No". I went to the DOB website, but found it very difficult to navigate.
I was hoping that if I posted this request again that I could ask those responding to only do so if you have first hand knowledge of the "current" code for PVC use and if it is okay in single family homes in the 5 boros for plumbing.
Also, can waste lines be 3 inches or do they have to be 4 inches?
So please only respond if you are totally up to date. That way we can get the accurate answer for myself and the Brownstoner community.
Thanks again,
Leslie
October 31, 2007
New York Pipes for Plumbing?
Hi,
Recently had a new bathroom built out of a small room in a house in a New York City borough.
The toilet seems to get stuffed up to often. We spoke with the plumber who said it was because the toilet is a European make and the trap is made smaller then the American types. He suggested we replace the toilet.
On a separate note we just had an unrelated flood in the basement. We called out a different plumber to help us with that. He did us a favor and looked at the toilet to give his opinion. He said that the style of the toilet wasn't the issue, but instead that the plumber who did the job used 1/4-inch pipe instead of 1/2 inch. He said that it would never drain well. Also he said the pipe was plastic and will not hold up well. He couldn’t see inside the walls to see what else was used.
I am curious what some of you think?
Is plastic piping okay in New York?
Does the second plumber’s assessment have merit?
We just don't know from this.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Leslie
September 15, 2007
Where in NYC to get Kitchen drawer pull handles?
Hi,
Looking for a good price on those long European style kitchen cabinet pull handles. I need long, medium and short ones. I am hoping to find a place in NYC where I can see them in person rather then ordering online. Any help would be appreciated.
September 2, 2007
Cost to sand and poly wood floor?
Does any one know approximately what it might cost to sand and poly 800 to 1000 sqaure feet of wood floor (oak)? Floor is in very good condition, but just want to make it perfect. Not looking to stain just sand and poly. Thanks for the advice in advance.
August 29, 2007
Capital Improvement sales tax?
I am currently doing a gut renovation of a kitchen and bathroom in Brooklyn. I recently mentioned it to a friend who said that I shouldn't have to pay sales tax because of something called Capital Improvements. This term was new to me as a first time home owner and renovator. I had a look at the New York State website and it seems that it is true to best of my understanding. My contract with my contractor lists the price for the work on the kitchen and bath and below that list the sales tax which comes to several thousand dollars. Is there any reason why I should have to pay this tax? It is nearing the completion of the job, but still owe about $8000 in contracting fees so sales tax could be deducted from that. How to best approach the subject with the contractor? Any help would be appreciated.
Author's Comments
Hi,
sorry my original post had some mis information. I meant to indicate that the second plumber vieiwed the pipe connecting the sink and said it was 1 1/4 inch instead of 1 1/2 inch. Is that okay for plumbing in the Bronx.
Also is PVC pipe usage okay for a single family house in the Bronx?
Thank you for your help
leaslie
Posted by: leslie at November 1, 2007 11:52 AM in response to New York Pipes for Plumbing?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Yes, and yes.
Posted by: johnife at November 1, 2007 12:23 PM in response to New York Pipes for Plumbing?
PVC pipe is generally not code in NYC.
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 3:15 PM in response to New York Pipes for Plumbing?
PVC piping is illegal in nyc. the waste lines must be 4".
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 3:25 PM in response to New York Pipes for Plumbing?
PVC piping is most certainly legal in many instances within the 5 boros. It is best to get a permit for the scope of the work to ensure that the job is done properly and in accordance to code. Every job will not be inspected by a DOB inspector upon completion depending on what is actually being done but you can most certainly request an inspection on your particular job. NYC unfortunately does not have enough inspectors to inspect small jobs or even keep up with the large scale construction projects.
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 3:36 PM in response to New York Pipes for Plumbing?
October 31, 4:48 PM, November 1, 3:15 PM, and November 1, 3:25 PM:
It's legal in the OP's single family.
Posted by: johnife at November 1, 2007 4:18 PM in response to New York Pipes for Plumbing?
Remember that PVC expands and contracts quite a lot so should never be used for waste or vent stacks because, in long lengths, may have too much movement. I believe NYC does not allow PVC to be used in this way, that you should use cast iron pipes.
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 6:05 PM in response to New York Pipes for Plumbing?
guest at November 1,2007 6:05PM must be a plumber protecting his turf.
Posted by: johnife at November 1, 2007 7:37 PM in response to New York Pipes for Plumbing?
I'm having a new trap put in and all new piping put in the basement in a 3 family house in brooklyn for the waste lines.
The plumber told me pvc plumbing was legal and better than cast iron because it doesn't rod and fall apart.
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 8:31 PM in response to New York Pipes for Plumbing?
Thanks for all the responses. I will have to check with the contractor to see what he used. A friend said to me that he should have used some kind of latex so things wouldn't dry out like they have. As for one posters question about heat, we have a forced air duct in the bathroom, but the problem isn't just in the area right by the duct it is all over the bathroom. Any other thoughts would be great and wish us luck :-)
Posted by: leslie at December 5, 2007 1:46 PM in response to Caulk/Grout cracking question?