I recommend Steve, too. I got his name from the co-op across the street who uses him for all their repairs. He's very busy - but honest and professional.

Posted by: parkslopemom at November 11, 2009 9:08 AM in response to Handyman Recommendation

How Much $$ ?

Posted by: parkslopemom at November 4, 2009 4:43 PM in response to Antique Bed Frame for Sale

I've been looking into this, too. There is a Weatherization Assitance Program (call Energy Conservation Services 718-492-8580) but it is for low income families. NY state guideline is that a family of 4 make no more than $25,000 per year in order to qualify. There are also, however, Federal Tax Credits given for energy efficiency costs that are good until the end of 2010 and cap out at $1500 total per household. You can go to www.energystar.gov and type in "summary of tax credits for homeowners". Under insulation, for example, you can qualify for a tax credit of 30% of the total cost, up to $1500 if you use a certified installer. Be sure to read ALL the fine print.

Posted by: parkslopemom at October 21, 2009 4:16 PM in response to Weatherizing My Brownstone

Thanks to all - very helpful :)

Posted by: parkslopemom at October 11, 2009 11:32 AM in response to Blown In Insulation

C.H.I.P.S. soup kitchen/homeless shelter at 200 4th Avenue between Sackett and Degraw accepts all clothing donations. They are in dire need - it will be greatly appreciated. You can call them at 718-237-2962.

Posted by: parkslopemom at October 9, 2009 2:27 PM in response to Clothing donations?

I'd also like to know anyone's experience with the new high efficiency gas tank hot water heaters (Vertex 100?).

Posted by: parkslopemom at October 1, 2009 10:35 AM in response to Solar Hot Water, High-Efficiency

Bklynnight is right. I called National Grid and was told that every gas customer gets a bill with both the delivery charge (always comes from them) and a supply charge (which can come from them or an ESCO). There are all these extra fees and taxes. They told me if no gas was used at all on an account - the minimum charges would have to total close to $30.

Posted by: parkslopemom at September 21, 2009 3:01 PM in response to Conned by Con Edison?

My last gas bill (from National Grid) starts with a minimum of $14.08 - then adds an additional $26 just for DELIVERY of gas. My Esco charge for 45 CCF's of gas was $26.66 - that's for the gas itself. Adding on a system benefit charge, and MTA surcharge, the sales tax on delivery, the GIT per CCF...it goes on and on. Total bill was $70.76 - for cooking gas and hot water heater.
No one's gas bill could be only $10 per month in Brooklyn. You could use no gas at all, and still will be billed minimum amounts plus tax. If the op's total Con Ed and National Grid charge for 2 months was $123 - that's doing pretty well.

Posted by: parkslopemom at September 21, 2009 1:50 PM in response to Conned by Con Edison?

I've always used J&R Electric on 7th Avenue (Union & President) in Park Slope. Part of what I am paying for is having those guys haul a very large, heavy unit up four flights, installing it, then removing it, hauling it back down the four flights and storing it for the winter.

Posted by: parkslopemom at September 9, 2009 9:40 PM in response to Window A/C Storage?

In Park Slope: I research at other stores and online, then go to J & R Television at 108 7th Ave and order through them. They have always met or beat any price I've documented. They will arrange delivery, installation and haul away the old appliance. Over the years I've used them for a refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, stove, and flat screen LCD TV. I've never had a bad experience.

Posted by: parkslopemom at August 4, 2009 9:14 PM in response to Washer/Dryer Installation

AEPE: No, they don't block access. It's the lower hallway (garden level) of our 2 family house - we have a bike rack along one side of the wall (the pole type that you hang bikes on) and they do not block passageway to the door or to the stairway. The bikes are not locked. The tenants live on the garden level.
If you are worried about blocking the hallway - perhaps you have room under your stoop?

Posted by: parkslopemom at June 23, 2009 8:55 PM in response to Allowing Tenant's Bikes?

We're a two family, and we allow out trenants to store their three bikes inside in the lower hallway. We have a friend who stores a bike under our stoop.

Posted by: parkslopemom at June 23, 2009 5:57 PM in response to Allowing Tenant's Bikes?

My experience was similar to cmu's. Our tenants (we're a two family house) had been great tenants for two years and said they were thinking of getting a dog. We trusted them, laid a few basic groundrules and said "sure". Their Golden Retriever became a much beloved member of the household, and we really missed all of them when they moved a few years later. Frankly, dogs also add a nice level of security. I never minded the dog barking when someone came to the door or rang the bell. As for damage, it was a non-issue...my neighbor whose tenants had cats had much more damage to deal with when they moved out than we ever did. As long as we like the tenants, we'd allow a dog anytime.

Posted by: parkslopemom at June 19, 2009 9:34 PM in response to Tenants Want a Dog

Spike Lee's 1999 film: Summer of Sam, addressed this very statistic.

Posted by: parkslopemom at June 19, 2009 9:36 AM in response to NYTimes article on NYC murders

Thanks, Dave. We're a four story :(. Others have suggested diverting the downspout into the back yard - but that is not legal. Also suggested has been to divert overflow out through the front of the house, under the stoop, not into the sewer line, and dump onto sidewalk - but that, too, is illegal :( I am also being told different things about liners for the sewer line instead of replacement: some say they are legal, tohers say not.

Posted by: parkslopemom at June 15, 2009 12:46 PM in response to Water Main/sewer line

The Gala fund raiser is what "funds" the rest of the concerts (free) in the park all summer. They are getting very little money from the city this year - and if the concert series are going to continue - they've got to raise the $$ somehow.

Posted by: parkslopemom at June 10, 2009 8:32 PM in response to Pay Concerts in Prospect Park

We lived in a small three story brownstone that had a whole house fan, and it worked like a charm for much of the warm weather. Previous owners had built a box over the hatch - with the fan facing the back of the house (over the hatch). There were louveres that opened only when it was running, and the fan was perpendicular to the roof. Rain did not get in. The winning trick was to only open windows on one floor at a time: during the day, I closed the windows on the top floor, and opened the lower floor windows. That sucked the hot air out and brought cool air thru the floor I was on. At night, I closed up the bottom floor and opened only the top floor windows where our bedrooms were. It works best when the outside air gets cooler than the inside of the house. I have no idea what it cost them to have this box built. Also: it was a small house (15' wide, 30' deep).

Posted by: parkslopemom at June 10, 2009 8:28 PM in response to Attic Fan Recommendations

Sorry to say this, but: I absolutely believe that someone stole them. When we first moved to our current block in Park Slope 17 years ago - this was a regular occurance. A neighbor even photographed a van driving down the street - guys would move from one house to the next, digging up the plants, throwing them into the van and taking off. Only two years ago we came out to find one rare plant in particular dug out of each of our three pots in the front. The more common plants were left in place, so the theif knew what they were taking. It's that kind of small stuff that can really get you down. I have seen people whip out scissors and start cutting roses and peonies growing in front of homes. If it's a critter, you usually see the ripped leaves, dirt, etc, strewn nearby. When it's a clean dig - it was a human. So sorry :(

Posted by: parkslopemom at June 7, 2009 2:11 PM in response to Stolen Plants

Sorry for the typo: Window Glazer

Posted by: parkslopemom at June 5, 2009 12:59 PM in response to Window Glaser

Myplace has a good idea. Find a block where the houses face the same direction as yours (similar amounts of sun, etc.) and weave up and down from Union to 3rd Streets between PPW and 8th Ave. You'll get great ideas. Also visit the resource center at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Posted by: parkslopemom at June 5, 2009 11:51 AM in response to Landscaping help for front yards

ivan: IA has a great reputation as a general contractor, but said they would not do a job as small as replacing a few storm windows: they only do large scale house renovations.

Posted by: parkslopemom at May 24, 2009 6:33 PM in response to Storm Window Replacement

http://www.suburbanponds.com/index.php

The best in the country are Suburban Ponds in Dix Hills, Long Island. They supply BBG and other major institutions with Koi. They are simply the best -

Posted by: parkslopemom at May 21, 2009 2:30 PM in response to Where to buy fish for pond?

Although I agree she should be able to find a spot - I also agree that her station wagon will be vulnerable and if it's broken into - what a way to ruin your move. I have, in a pinch, parked overnight at the garage on Union Street between 6th and 7th Avenues (same side of street as the Fire House). I think it would be worth it to pull in there, then you can leave anything in the car and know it will still be there in the morning.

Posted by: parkslopemom at May 19, 2009 10:09 PM in response to park slope parking question

I agree with Arkady. We have same set-up, but they used the same vents for heat & A/C, and it's very difficult to cool the house, as the vents are close to the floor. It would have been MUCH better to have the cooling vents high up (hot air rises, cool air falls, etc.)

Posted by: parkslopemom at May 7, 2009 4:01 PM in response to central a/c with forced hot air

My rate changes each month - as it would with NationalGrid. I was unaware of an offer to lock in at a certain rate. I do know gas rates are about to drop substantially. What rate are they offering? I suspect that no one really knows what's going to happen in the future with rates - whether they will continue to drop or shoot back up.

Posted by: parkslopemom at May 4, 2009 7:02 PM in response to Gas rates

My experience is not the same as slopenick's. I did not sign to lock in, but chose Gateway as my supplier (National Grid is the transporter, so the delivery charge comes from National Grid). I have combined billing - so it all appears on one bill. There is no headache involved. ESCO's have been able to undercut the majors (National Grid/Keyspan) for some time. It's simple enough to price out per therm what each is charging.

Posted by: parkslopemom at May 4, 2009 4:54 PM in response to Gas rates

What was the total cost?

Posted by: parkslopemom at May 3, 2009 11:24 AM in response to How beautiful the stoop is NOw!!

Brooklyn Botanic Garden's annual plant sale is Tuesday (member's), Wednesday and Thursday. The entire cherry esplanade is perennials. Annuals and herbs are under the tent. Staff there will be able to help anwer any and all questions, and it's all for a great cause.

Posted by: parkslopemom at May 3, 2009 11:21 AM in response to Perennials

I just got an estimate from Amendola's, as they came highly recommended. 65 linear feet, 5' cedar fence with a 1' lattice topper - and they are telling me it will run $4,800. That includes hauling away the old fence, all labor, posts, caps, the whole thing. I am taken aback at the cost - but, again, after quizzing many people, this was the company recommended.

Posted by: parkslopemom at May 1, 2009 10:35 AM in response to Looking for a Fence Specialist

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Annual Plant Sale is next Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday and they will have a spectacular amount of herbs, vegetables as well as annuals and perennials. I got great basil, oregano and rosemary plants there last year. Their stuff is top quality and it's for a great cause.

Posted by: parkslopemom at April 30, 2009 3:27 PM in response to herbs in brooklyn

We have been dealing with a similar problem since we moved into our brownstone 16 years ago. We also installed a check valve, which snaps closed when the street sewer water starts to back up - this was the recommendation by the City. Our downspout goes directly into the back of the house and into the sewer line (we are told that is the code requirement). When the trap shuts - we were having rain water back up into the garden level bathroom toilet and overflow. Like you, it is A LOT of water. When a check valve was placed inside to keep water from flooding up -- caps on pipes would blow and flood the cellar. We've had sump pumps put in (which cannot work until the rain stops because the trap is still shut), you name it. The latest suggestion is to install a diverter on the back downspout and have the water go out into the back yard - but this is actually against code, as it could flood our back neighbor's yard. I will be interested to hear other's thoughts...but it is a common problem when we get these hard, fast rains. The City has assured us that the City pipes are too small to accommodate the water rushing down the street during these...but that they will not be replaced in our lifetime.
To the above post: the trap slams shut when water from the outside is pushed up against it - there is nowhere for outgoing water to go.

Posted by: parkslopemom at April 22, 2009 1:52 PM in response to Gutters and more

Sadly, I am looking out my second floor window at a house across the street where the pigeons are cuddled right up next to their plastic owl. A recent article in the NYTimes about problems with nests the parrots are building on electrical boxes told of Con Ed putting battery operated owls (that move) on wire lines. They reported that worked for a very short period of time - the birds figured out pretty quickly that even the animatronic owls were not real. Same with fake snakes. Brooklyn Birds are pretty smart. I've only seen success with the metal spikes.

Posted by: parkslopemom at April 21, 2009 2:12 PM in response to Pigeons!

I highly recommend Gardens By Joan (Gardensbyjoan.com)

Posted by: parkslopemom at April 6, 2009 12:17 PM in response to landscaping recommendation

SJ: Each lives in Park Slope, one on 6th Street between 5th and 6th Aves, one on President closer to the park. Each are the flat roofs of brownstones (6th Street house is 17 feet wide, the house on President is 20 feet wide).

Posted by: parkslopemom at April 2, 2009 9:38 AM in response to flat roof for solar panels

Has anyone had true return on solar panels in Brownstone Brooklyn? My two friends who tried it report that there simply is not enough direct sun to justify the cost of installation.

Posted by: parkslopemom at April 2, 2009 8:28 AM in response to flat roof for solar panels

When did this happen? My friends on Garfield (both between 7th & 8th and 8th and PPW) say they knew nothing of it. They were shocked. they say if patrol cars were shooting up the block (going the wrong way) someone would have noticed. What date and what time?

Posted by: parkslopemom at April 1, 2009 5:50 PM in response to Getting Mugged in Park Slope

Vinca gives great advice. I second going to Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Plant Sale. They will give you FREE expert advice and you can see all your choices laid out in front of you. Prices are great, and it's for a wonderful cause:)

Posted by: parkslopemom at March 22, 2009 3:53 PM in response to Ground cover for shady backyard

Window washing is pricey. The going rate last year for windows with storms and screens was close to $40 per window. This was for windows on high floors, where they had to climb out on the ledge to get the inner window clean.

Posted by: parkslopemom at March 18, 2009 5:40 PM in response to window cleaning rip off?

Do not offer a glowing recommendation. If you are asked to provide a recommendation, or if you are contacted by the new landlord - be honest and tell the entire story. You would want someone to be honest with you about future tenants.

Posted by: parkslopemom at March 16, 2009 9:37 PM in response to landlord advice

Thank you Master Plumber! As we do use a lot of hot water throughout the day, your article makes it clear it is not the best option for us. Thanks, again :)

Posted by: parkslopemom at March 16, 2009 5:58 PM in response to More on Tankless Hot Water

I've used Bear Glass on 20th Street just above 7th Avenue - right across from Greenwood Cem. They've done many for me over the years - always a great job. I recommend paying the extra for tempered glass (much stronger).

Posted by: parkslopemom at March 6, 2009 6:11 PM in response to Glass Shelves

Related: I've love a recommendation for someone who will come and replace just the countertop (quartz or stone) and sink in a kitchen. Most places will only install if you are getting all new base cabinets.

Posted by: parkslopemom at February 26, 2009 3:27 PM in response to Granite Countertops

"With all the talk of the Montauk Club apartment today" -- what talk of the MC Apartment????

Posted by: parkslopemom at February 25, 2009 2:56 PM in response to The Union League Club-House

You can only use 50% if, in fact, half the house is occupied by tenants. If you have a four story house and only one floor is a rental - you use 25%, etc.

Posted by: parkslopemom at February 3, 2009 5:39 PM in response to Accountant?

We have a 4 story 20' wide brownstone: two kitchens (all gas) and one shared laundry room (gas dryer). Furnace and hot water are gas. Our last bill was for 365 therms used = $592.25. this winter has been brutal - I think your bill is right on target.

Posted by: parkslopemom at February 2, 2009 3:01 PM in response to $600 Gas Bill Normal?

Like eman - I want to know what the price tag was???

Posted by: parkslopemom at January 24, 2009 9:15 PM in response to High Efficiency Boilers

We used All H.V.A.C. to re-build our forced air furnace and central A/C. They were not cheap - but very professional and did an outstanding job.

Posted by: parkslopemom at January 6, 2009 10:09 PM in response to furnace help

Arkady: Could you explain what a floating platform is?

Posted by: parkslopemom at December 17, 2008 2:20 PM in response to Soundproofing finished basement

Are you looking for a dance/party - or simply a festive place to have a great meal? We opt for the latter, and have been going to Rose Water on Union. They offer a 5 course delicious meal (under $100), wine pairings (+$40?), then we walk on up to Prospect Park (Garfield entrance) and watch the fireworks with much of Brooklyn. Great evening at a fraction of the usual cost. Many restaurants along 5th Ave and 7th Ave offer special NY's Eve dinners.

Posted by: parkslopemom at December 12, 2008 10:48 AM in response to Grand Prospect Hall

Legally, I believe, they cannot accept a gift valued at more than $20, and they are not encouraged to accept cash -- HOWEVER, personally, I tip my mail carrier $20, and our downstairs neighbors do the same. It's a two-family house, so he is tipped $40 total from our house. It's worth every penny, as he goes out of his way for us on many occasions throughout the year.

Posted by: parkslopemom at December 11, 2008 8:39 AM in response to Tipping the Postman

Of course you never really know what payback is because you have no idea what gas will cost down the road. Just do the right thing and then you're prepared for anything.

Posted by: denton at October 1, 2009 7:07 PM in response to Solar Hot Water, High-Efficiency

There are donation bins at the Lowes on 9th.

Posted by: megunski at October 9, 2009 6:14 PM in response to Clothing donations?

Thanks guys,
CHIPS only collects during week but donation bins at Lowes worked nicely.

Posted by: Johnny at October 10, 2009 10:35 AM in response to Clothing donations?

Do you want cellulose or icynene....the foam injected in as a liquid and which expands to 60 times its volume??? There is an authorized installer in Park Slope!!

Posted by: outerboro at October 11, 2009 12:16 PM in response to Blown In Insulation

Here's yet another strong rec for Brooklyn Insulation & Soundproofing who did a wonderful job of insulating the externals walls and roof of the rear extension on our house with cellulose last year. The gain in heat retention in the ell been amazing and the cost, approximately $1k, was very reasonable.

Posted by: Brooklynista at October 11, 2009 4:50 PM in response to Blown In Insulation

You need to add at least one roof vent when you do this. Federal Conservation did mine, $2psf plus $200 for the vent

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 12, 2009 7:12 AM in response to Blown In Insulation

And another recommendation for Brooklyn Insulation. Super fast, friendly, a good value.

There is simply no consensus on the need for roof vents, Dave. That is especially true with cellulose, which can absorb and release moisture much better than the fiberglass that Federal Conservation uses. I found Brooklyn Insulation to be about less than 2/3 the cost of Federal, who would have insisted on cutting holes in the roof and vents.

Posted by: renomandru at October 12, 2009 8:49 AM in response to Blown In Insulation

Just curious, you guys see a noticeable difference in heat bills as a result? Does it also slow heat absorption in summer or is that just wishful thinking on my part??

Posted by: Johnny at October 12, 2009 12:40 PM in response to Blown In Insulation

Freecycle NYC is always a good bet, too. It's a Yahoo group, you can search the googles for it.

Posted by: serpentor at October 12, 2009 1:04 PM in response to Clothing donations?

we rented the machine from home depot, which came free with the purchase of 30 bales of cellulose, and did it ourselves in an afternoon for under $500. We did it last january or february, and could feel the difference in the house the second we finished the job. this summer was our first summer in the house though, so i don't know whether it had any noticeable effect on heat absorption.

Posted by: jellystew at October 13, 2009 9:51 AM in response to Blown In Insulation