maribrooklyn's Profile
Author's Posts
November 3, 2009
Air Quality Assessment
Thank you to all who helped us recently with asbestos-related questions. Unfortunately, we did not get the house we were hoping to buy, so we are going to plan B, which is to switch our basement-level tv room into a toddler's bedroom.
So here's our dilemma: We have allergies in our family and the basement feels ok but a bit musty perhaps. We'd like to get someone to come and "test the air quality" if such a person/thing exists.
We're also thinking about an air purifier/filter/HEPA device like the rabbit air. Pricey. Is it worth it?
Does anyone have any suggestions, BTDT, or recommendations for making this renovated basement level as clean as possible? People or processes to consider?
(A bit more info: The tv room where our toddler will be sleeping has a full-sized door that leads only to a skylight hatch that can be propped open. This is the only source of air in the basement level.)
Many thanks!
September 23, 2009
Asbestos Removal Question
We are hoping to close soon on a south slope two-family. during the inspection it was discovered that the pipes in the basement are all wrapped in asbestos. the seller has agreed to remove/abate and pay for it, but doesn't want to do it until after the tenants move out, which is 60 days, right around the closing.
Does anyone have any advice or companies I could call myself to see if this is indeed a harmful process or if it could be completed while tenants are still occupying the building?
Any advice is much appreciated.
August 27, 2009
Park Slope South
My wife and I are trying to purchase a property in South Slope. We have an accepted offer on a property in South Slope/Greenwood. It is a two-family in the 600k's, which is structurally sound but needs cosmetic work (think Grandma's house). Does anyone have some comps for properties in this area? Other advice? How is life there? We're moving from Clinton Hill strictly for improved schools. Thanks in advance.
August 5, 2009
Chrysotile Recommendation
Hi All-
We are trying to re-do our basement and brownstone common hallway stairs (4 floors total) and I recently submitted a lab report and found 45% chrysotile in the old linoleum. The asbestos is in the fibers in the glue, not the tile itself. I've read that the best thing to do is to just replace over it (in this case, we're going to put carpet), which I think is fine for the common hallway. However, our homemade basement steps are kind of crumbly and spots are coming up, leading me to believe covering it up won't be the best idea. Any thoughts? Anyone BTDT? Thanks in advance!
May 16, 2009
Linoleum Repost
Hi All-
So we're still struggling with renovating our common brownstone hallway. Marmoleum is out of our price range. We'd like a material that will last, but can't seem to find anywhere in NYC to buy commercial grade linoleum in a roll (only tiles). Has anyone done a similar renovation? Any suggestions? Many thanks!
May 10, 2009
ISO good flooring store
Hi All-
We're looking to buy some linoleum flooring for the common hallway of a brownstone. We can only find these rolls for special order at HD and Lowe's. Anyone know where we could buy a roll of good quality, colored linoleum (the kind with the specks) that might even be made with recyclable materials (probably a stretch but I do know that Armstrong makes some) locally?
Many thanks!
April 20, 2009
Asbestos and Linoleum Flooring
Hi All-
We would like to replace an awful, graying, aged linoleum floor that is in the public hallway of our brownstone. Problem is, it is probably from the 60's and we're thinking it must have asbestos. How would you go about dealing with this? We are thinking the easiest way would be to just put a new floor on top of this one, but I'm wondering if that's a bad solution structurally? How much should something like this cost?
Thanks for your help!!
m
Author's Comments
Yes, these are all good concerns. Believe me, I don't want to put our toddler in the basement either. We have a duplex apartment with the lower level below ground. There is a large bedroom on the ground floor, and what currently serves as a tv room on the basement level. We have a second child coming in January, so the issue is logistical more than anything else. The only other option for us at this point is to rent a two-bedroom and rent our current apartment out. Otherwise, the option is to break through and take over an apartment above us (we own a 4 family) but then we lose another rent and kick out nice tenants.
Posted by: maribrooklyn at November 3, 2009 8:59 AM in response to Air Quality Assessment
Good point, denton and cottontop. Yes, we'd need the cash which is tight already, so our preference is for the seller to do it. I guess we should include the reinsulation in the contract as well, which I had not thought of.
So a different company tests the air quality afterward, correct?
I guess we should add that in as a contingency as well.
Man, that asbestos is a REAL pain. :)
Posted by: maribrooklyn at September 23, 2009 2:00 PM in response to Asbestos Removal Question
To update, no there are no tenants in the basement (it's pretty gross). And we are going to put in the contract that the abatement MUST be done by a licensed asbestos abatement company and that we must have a copy of the paperwork and be able to inspect afterward to be sure the procedure was completed properly and safely.
I guess if it would be easier to do it the other way, the seller could agree to a price and deduct it from our offer and we could take care of it ourselves. Maybe then we wouldn't worry about whether or not she actually used a reputable company or the cheapest she could find.
Posted by: maribrooklyn at September 23, 2009 1:34 PM in response to Asbestos Removal Question
Thanks for all the great tips! Hopefully we'll be moving there soon.....
Posted by: maribrooklyn at September 23, 2009 10:39 AM in response to Park Slope South
Hey All,
We actually used a Marmoleum to cover the old tile. We did use a spare piece to save a little money. The floors were prepared with a thin board (not sure of width) as suggested on these forms. The job came out very well. The installer was Richie from Bay Ridge Tile and Flooring. We received a cheaper estimate from HD (About 10%) but decided to go with the small business. We are very happy that we did and recommend Richie highly. Thanks for the advice.
Posted by: maribrooklyn at August 27, 2009 6:30 PM in response to Linoleum Repost
Thanks everyone for the helpful comments! We are starting the work on Monday, and we are going to go with the spray-bottle, double-bag approach for the small part of the flooring that will be removed, and we are going to put the new flooring on top of the old on the stairs. Thanks again!
Posted by: maribrooklyn at May 2, 2009 11:09 AM in response to Asbestos and Linoleum Flooring
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
if you did it yourself, wouldn't you need the cash? For my house, it was 3K. It's almost like adding to your down payment. I don't think that they can give you a cash refund (though I could be wrong). I think I'd actually lean towards letting the seller do it, so you have a nice clean house when you take possession. Just make sure you get the paperwork, including the air-quality tests afterwards.
Posted by: cottontop at September 23, 2009 1:51 PM in response to Asbestos Removal Question
one lil' thing, after the abatement is done, make sure you re-insulate using fiberglas, else you'll be losing all that heat.
Posted by: denton at September 23, 2009 1:54 PM in response to Asbestos Removal Question
Good point, denton and cottontop. Yes, we'd need the cash which is tight already, so our preference is for the seller to do it. I guess we should include the reinsulation in the contract as well, which I had not thought of.
So a different company tests the air quality afterward, correct?
I guess we should add that in as a contingency as well.
Man, that asbestos is a REAL pain. :)
Posted by: maribrooklyn at September 23, 2009 2:00 PM in response to Asbestos Removal Question
I saw have them take care of the issue. Give them a list of two or three companies to choose from to ensure they use a reputable company - write this in the contract. If you were in their position, you would find the cheapest place to do it - we all would.
Posted by: bedstuytownhouse at September 23, 2009 2:17 PM in response to Asbestos Removal Question
If the lining is good condition and you're not planning any parties in the cellar, why not leave well enough alone? You can always do the abatement later.
Posted by: cmu at September 23, 2009 2:38 PM in response to Asbestos Removal Question
All old houses had this at one time or another. I don't blame the current tenants for not wanting to live there while its going on. I don't see why it matters one way or the other - as long as its done by a professional company before you move in, the net result is the same.
Posted by: MrsLimestone at September 23, 2009 4:13 PM in response to Asbestos Removal Question
Here is a good consultant I have used: http://www.habader.com/.
Posted by: AbruzzoBodziak at September 23, 2009 11:16 PM in response to Asbestos Removal Question
is this the house on 18th Street bet 4th & 5th? I seen the job, u are better off getting it done yourself...
Posted by: alrosariojr at September 24, 2009 12:06 PM in response to Asbestos Removal Question
actually 5th & 6th :)
Posted by: alrosariojr at September 24, 2009 12:08 PM in response to Asbestos Removal Question
I just saw it at caesar's at 596 fifth avenue. It was really affordable. Oh I did say I would remove the previous tile and luan so the install was resonable. Love this stuff. (the marmoleum)
Posted by: tsarina at October 13, 2009 11:24 AM in response to Linoleum Repost
Yes, the egress thing does nix this idea. Thanks to everyone who pointed it out. Pinetree, we actually only have ONE bedroom upstairs (wish we had more) so what is looking like our best option right now is to put a pressurized wall in the middle of it (it is roughly 19 feet by 11.5, so not huge, but definitely split-worthy) and have toddler in front room with windows, and newborn with us for first 6-12 months like you suggested. Then, both kids go in front room. The quotes we got for pressurized wall (with glass panel for light transmission) were reasonable. And then we'll get an air purifier regardless for the basement. We're looking at the Rabbit Air, but am not sure what the benefits of something like that over an air exchanger system (humidex) would be. Thanks again to all for your help/suggestions.
Posted by: maribrooklyn at November 4, 2009 3:49 PM in response to Air Quality Assessment