I also have the question of steam or hot water.
Were the pipes unscrewed or cut?
Could you post the height and width as well as the range of lengths?

Posted by: yaakovdoe at November 6, 2009 2:45 PM in response to Radiators for Sale

I've admired the house ever since I was in the Dr's waiting room with a child many years ago. I saw the potential even then.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at November 6, 2009 2:42 PM in response to Welcome to The Albemarle Reno Blog

A full cord in Nassau or Suffolk is $140. Search on Craigs list under Brooklyn Queens and Staten Island. There are some fairly priced sellers

Posted by: yaakovdoe at October 30, 2009 5:00 PM in response to Firewood

$100 seems steep. I've just begun looking and need 3 short steam radiators to go under windows.

Please contact me with dimensions

yaakovdoe@aol.com

Posted by: yaakovdoe at October 30, 2009 8:13 AM in response to Cast Iron RADIATORS - for sale

I suggest that you call Andre from A&A 718-953-2836 (blue ad to the right) He know's his chimneys and fireplaces and has recently done 2 jobs on Argyle Rd. Andre is a chimney man not a salesman. I'm just a satisfied customer who thinks that the good contractors should be recommended.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at October 27, 2009 1:14 PM in response to Fireplace Advice

I suggest that you call A&A Chimney (the blue ad on the right of this page). I'm a satisfied customer.

You'll get honest answers from an experienced chimney expect who does good work at a reasonable price.

An honest man in what has notoriously been a crooked business.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at October 15, 2009 3:01 PM in response to Chimney Liner Advise

Yes, there are 1000's of 2 car garages in Brooklyn that are around 250 square feet, however they are garages not living space. There are some carriage houses in Flatbush with living quarters upstairs used in the past for servants and now rented out. There are some tiny houses or bungalows in Canarsie, Sheepshead Bay and Marine Park that appear ro be in the 300-600 sf range.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at October 9, 2009 11:39 AM in response to Wanted: Hovel in Brooklyn

REMEMBER - IF IT SOUNDS TO BE GOOD TO BE TRUE IT ISN'T

Posted by: yaakovdoe at September 29, 2009 1:20 PM in response to Rent to Own

I used A&A 718-953-2836 a couple of weeks ago. The owner is a chimney expert, not a salesman and did the job at a reasonable price. He will come quickly give you a price and have his men there within days to do the job. Others wanted 3-4 times as much and wanted to do unnecessary work.

They advertise on this site.

Tell him that the man he installed the woodburning stove for recommended you.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at September 29, 2009 8:10 AM in response to Chimney Repair

You'll be doing your friend a favor if you forwarn her that we in Victorian Flatbush are vigilant when it comes to the houses in our neighborhoods. We do not tolerate illegal alterations or use and our neighborhood associations work with elected officals, the community board and buildings department on enforcement.

There are some legal 2 families, but the majority of homes are single family.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at September 6, 2009 2:22 PM in response to Ditmas Park Zoning

The cost of painting such a house is down according to the painters who did mine a few years ago. It seems that there are more painters than there used to be a far fewer customers. There's plenty of room to negotiate.

The Argyle house is in forclosure. It seems that there was a huge mortgage on the house and after a pipe burst causing many thousands in damage the owner walked away. I know it looks good outside, but I'm told it needs gutting due to the severe water damage.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at September 3, 2009 4:20 PM in response to House of the Day: 790 Rugby Road

You being overly cautious. For at almost ten years, ending 25 years ago I used Rock Miracle on an almost daily basis with little ventilation, and have suffered no ill effects. As far as I'm concerned, it's the best product out there. Working with it for a few weeks with ventitation will not be a problem.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at August 23, 2009 3:42 PM in response to Stripping Moldings

Possibly of use. Please Email photos to
yaakovdoe at AOL.COM

Posted by: yaakovdoe at August 19, 2009 5:43 PM in response to Complete Cherry Panelled Library F/S

Ditmas Park has only a couple of 2 families while the adjoining neighborhoods have more.

We take building violations seriously here and your neighbors will report any illegal conversion or use of cellar space as living space. There are no legal basements in the entire area.

Prices are down and there are houses on the market in the $800-$900,000 range.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at August 17, 2009 10:27 PM in response to Renting the Basement?

Holes drilled for termites would be in the basement floor and in the ground outside of your foundation, not in your wooden floors. Possibly someone drilled the holes for some kind of wiring.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at August 16, 2009 9:43 AM in response to Termite Prevention?

The Flatbush rezoning was requested by the many neighborhood associations concerned about the teardowns of Victorian Homes on blocks that were zoned R6. At least 4 were torn down during the condo building boom and sit as emply lots.

Alvin Berk and Doris Ortiz of Community Board 14 and David Parish and Winston VonEngel of City Planning deserve credit for assisting the community residents in securing appropriate zoning for Victorian Flatbush. The largest concentration of Victorian homes in the US is here to stay!

Posted by: yaakovdoe at July 30, 2009 2:31 PM in response to City Council Approves Two Three More Rezonings

You're luckly they're content with the apples and haven't chewed their way into the house. I've heard that cinnamon keeps them away (and it goes well with apples).

Maybe it's because of a mild winter that there are so many around, enough to make stew for all of Brooklyn.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at July 29, 2009 6:08 PM in response to D*MN Brooklyn Squirrels

A plumber is the one to call for this simple job. If the outside location is near a gas pipe it should only run a couple of hundred dollars. Will cost much more if the gas lines are on the opposite side of the house.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at July 17, 2009 3:17 PM in response to Gas Line for Grill

I'd love to call him, but my State Senator is just too busy fighting with traffic agents, staff and photographers to take my call. He's spending a lot of time studying his anger managment notes and consulting with lawyers.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at July 7, 2009 2:28 PM in response to Call Your State Senator

I saw the work progressing on Empire Blvd last week and see it as a safety hazzard. Concrete islands at the intersections including, in front of the Police Precinct, make the use of the center lane for emergency vehicles impossible. Stripes painted in the center would have 98% of the same effect and permit safe passage of emergency vehicles.

I foresee that the concrete "pedestrian refuge islands" will just create problems and will be removed in a matter of months. The Mayor is putting lives at risk in his mission to make roads less hospitable to cars.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at June 30, 2009 8:56 AM in response to Empire Blvd now has just 1 lane

Should make for a busy interesting day in Victorian Flatbush since the Ditmas Park West neighborhood sales are that day and I understand that Ditmas Park, Fisk Terrace and Midwood Park are also holding sales. Won't be your typical day on our quiet tree lined streets!

If you want to see the most beautiful neighborhoods in Brooklyn come to either the tour or the sales or both.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at June 12, 2009 12:17 PM in response to Victorian Flatbush House Tour 2009

The Board that covers Flatbush, CB14 is not a rubber stamp. They are fiercely independent and go out of their way to represent all the residents of their most diverse population. The knowledge of the staff and board members annually save the City more than the $200,000 cost of the Board operation by preventing out of sync road projects, preventing flawed City projects that would have to be undone and protecting the interests of tax paying businesses during City conruction projects. Alerting all of the City agencies to the fact that a proposed "bumpout" to facilitate school crossing safety would have prevented turning on a MTA bus route prevented money being wasted on the construction and removal of the "bumpout" saving more than the Board's annual budget.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at June 10, 2009 10:34 AM in response to Rally to Oppose Community Board Budget Cuts

If they'll take off a few dollars, all the better. I wouldn't worry too much about the issues considering the amount of rain we've had. Every house has issues.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at June 9, 2009 4:41 PM in response to Urgent Buyer Advice Needed

The Ditmas Park West sale is the grandaddy of all the Victorian Flatbush neighborhood sales. I remember finding great bargains there in the 1980's and seeing lots of antiques for sale on Argyle Road every year since then. The prices are reasonable and strolling through those tree lined streets is a pleasure. I'm pleased to see that other neighborhoods are joining in on the same day, but I now have the dilemma of where to go first.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at June 9, 2009 1:35 PM in response to HUGE NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE

The best rug/carpet place for area rugs and wall to wall that I've found is KAS Carpet,24844 Rockaway Blvd, Rosedale. It's just past JFK but is well worth the trip. Besides great prices on installed wall to wall, they have a tremendous selection of remnants (some are huge)and great selection of all kinds of area rugs. Prices are far below ABC where I've bought from in the past and Kallifan that was on Atlantic Ave years ago. There is no sales preasure and you can spend hours looking through their vast stock. I've learned that decorators and designers also use them.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at June 4, 2009 6:04 PM in response to Inexpensive rugs?

The best rug/carpet place for area rugs and wall to wall that I've found is KAS Carpet,24844 Rockaway Blvd, Rosedale. It's just past JFK but is well worth the trip. Besides great prices on installed wall to wall, they have a tremendous selection of remnants (some are huge)and great selection of all kinds of area rugs. Prices are far below ABC where I've bought from in the past and Kallifan that was on Atlantic Ave years ago. There is no sales preasure and you can spend hours looking through their vast stock. I've learned that decorators and designers also use they.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at June 4, 2009 6:03 PM in response to Inexpensive rugs?

Should not be a problem at all. While there don't seem to be 32" shower stalls anymore, a corner unit saves space and gives a felling of openess. Plot it out on graph paper and be sure to leave some space around the toilet for comfort.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at June 4, 2009 8:16 AM in response to advice on adding a bathrroom

I got a thermostat rebate from National Grid for a unit which I bought on Ebay that covered 90% of the cost. I think I found the rebate info on the National Grid website. There are also tax credits which you can learn about on the IRS website.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at June 3, 2009 4:10 PM in response to Boiler/thermostat/window rebates

Why not simply buy a replacement fixture with a defuser at Lowes or Home Depot for $35 or less?

Posted by: yaakovdoe at May 10, 2009 10:08 PM in response to fluorescent light covers??

Try Kings Materials. They are on Dahill Rd at 16th ave and 39th St.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at April 23, 2009 10:16 PM in response to Where can I buy gravel???

Almost every house in Ditmas Park and the surrounding areas of Victorian Flatbush has a FAR that surpasses what is allowed under current and proposed zoning. There is also the 30 foot rear yard requirement which makes any rear addition highly improbable since most have rear yards slightly less than that. Opening the pantries to be part of the kitchen is what many have done to best utilize space.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at April 12, 2009 6:07 PM in response to Ditmas Park Addition?

They certainly add a lot to the charm of our Victorian neighborhood. The installers, despite their early morning start, have been most cooperative to all. With the new underground wiring I hope that the numerous lights that have had frequent problems over the years will now be reliable for a long long time.

Now, we must move on an fight for Landmark status for all of Victorian Flatbush.

Tomorrow, Thursday 4/2 at 7pm there will be a public hearing at PS 249 on Caton and Marlborough on the Flatbush downzoning. Please come and show your support for Victorian Flatbush - Brooklyn as it used to be.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at April 1, 2009 10:54 AM in response to New Retro Lampposts for Victorian Flatbush

I've learned a lot from Gateway's Master Plumber. I look forward to the day that he'll expand Gateway's service area to include Victorian Flatbush. Meanwhile I'll just keep reading his posts and waiting.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at March 8, 2009 12:37 PM in response to Shout out to Master Plumber!

For my 2700 sf detatched Victorian the bill at arrived on Friday was $666 and the previous month was $466. Only one more high month to go and we're through the worst of it.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at January 28, 2009 8:49 PM in response to Cost of monthly heating?

Is DQ Pest Control able to do something about the most annoying pests that I have come across? These particular pests keep invading our space and it seems to take a long time for them to disappear.

I'm referring to the pests who see this forum as a place to post free ads. If they were so good, they'd have enough money to buy advertising. Stay away from anyone who abuses this forum.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at January 25, 2009 3:34 PM in response to DQ Pest Control

The one n the right looks great compared to the one on the left. Perhaps the architects went to correspondence schools. Fortunatly these aren't built to last a 100 years.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at January 16, 2009 1:13 PM in response to Horror Show Friday

Master Plumber - I appreciate all of the information that you contribe on the Forum. For those of you who missed his video on this blog last winter on steam heating systems, search the archives.

When is Gateway going to expand it's service area to include Victorian Flatbush?

Posted by: yaakovdoe at January 14, 2009 2:23 PM in response to Your Heat & The Coming Cold

Even an knowledgeable experience home buyer should have an experienced impartial engineer inspect before purchase. A professional may spot serious potential problems that a buyer could overlook. I have never heard of a seller refusing such a request. It will benefit you greatly to be there for the inspection and to ask questions.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at January 7, 2009 9:28 AM in response to Seller says no engineer report

I bought my all original Victorian complete with all lead pipe and 30 amp electrical service years ago. At today's prices, I'd think $80,000 in renovations is a very low estimate. You are better off having both the original detail and the knowledge that the plumbing and electric are new and if done properly, will be problem free. Go for it. You may have more costs upfront, but fewer problems in the future and you get to live with the original detail

Posted by: yaakovdoe at December 18, 2008 10:18 PM in response to Crazy talk?

Yes, it seems high for November. Expect the months of January and February each to be 3 times as high as November.
Insulation, weather stripping and lowering the evening setting should help cut the bill to a more reasonable amount. With bills like that any insulation project will have a much quicker payback than is typical.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at December 18, 2008 1:16 PM in response to Yikes..Could this Heating Bill be Right?

You have no rights. You can drag it out through the Landlord Tenant Court or agree to a payment for moving out quickly by an agreed upon date. I'd suggest that you ask for the amount of moving expenses and security and brokers fee for the new place and negotiate from there.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at December 16, 2008 10:22 PM in response to Eviction

I bough several pieces of plexiglass last month and found the most reasonable priced place on Fort Hamilton Pkwy between 39th and 40th Streets. Parking is tough there. A shop on 4th Ave near 60th Street wanted 3 times as much for the same plexiglass. Expect to pay around $20 at the Ft. Hamilton shop.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at December 7, 2008 1:46 PM in response to Where to buy plexiglass for storm door?

I used Lester Goldsmith Roofing, 718-253-3484 on my Victorian 3 years ago and am 100% satisfied with both the job and price. They used a large crew and completed the job quickly.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at December 2, 2008 6:22 PM in response to can you rec a roofer?

That bill for a pre winter month sounds about right. For my 2900sf Victorian it was $140. My total for the year will run from $2300 - $2900 based on past usage. That includes cooking and hot water. Over the years we've reduced the usage by about a third by insulating, weather stripping and caulking.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at December 1, 2008 5:55 PM in response to natural gas heating costs

Master Plumber - Thanks for your latest tips and for the great videos from last winter. Your frequent advice to forum questions is appreciated.

I was disappointed to learn that Gateway doesn't service Victorian Flatbush. Please consider expanding your service area.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at November 19, 2008 3:06 PM in response to It's heating season for real. Is your boiler ready?

Try Brooklyn Locksmith on Coney Island Ave between Avenue I and Avenue J.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at November 18, 2008 10:09 PM in response to Skeleton Keys

Sounds like a great deal - except that it's in Detroit. I've heard of people buying similiar houses on Ebay for a couple of dollars who are then presented with huge tax arrears bills.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at November 5, 2008 11:55 AM in response to Handyman special in Detroit must be sold - $100,000 below market

Dave - My sukkah at 192sf is dwarfed by this little house.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at October 17, 2008 11:50 AM in response to Brooklyn's Own Tiny House Movement

I used Mann products about 10 years ago, and was completly satisfied. I think I saw their ad in today's Daily News and of course the price is more than it was back then. I think I saw the current price is $895 installed.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at October 5, 2008 4:50 PM in response to Rear Cellar Door

Blackstoner: I was there and didn't see anything wrong with the people in the photo. The event was at 8am and 2 of those participating biked to work afterwards.

Polemicist: Yes if you consider anyone over 40 old, most of them were old. From what I observed they were no fatter than the average Brooklynite. The vast majority of Community Board members are employed and since all Community Board meetings take place during evening hours, working people are fully able to participate.

Posted by: yaakovdoe at October 3, 2008 12:26 PM in response to Car-Free Prospect Park? Blech!

While I agree with the previous posts, Mr. Chimney came up with the best solutions/game plans for my 3 situations. You can google "Mr. Chimney" for contact info. Ken, the owner, was very knowledgeable, thoughtful, and also not a salesman - all of which I really appreciated. But most importantly, he had the best solutions for my situations, which saved me money and mess. Ken was a pleasure to deal with and I'm happy to recommend him.

Posted by: HappyDaddy at September 29, 2009 11:20 PM in response to Chimney Repair

Don't try reaching for more than you can afford.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 9, 2009 11:47 AM in response to Wanted: Hovel in Brooklyn

I currently own a multi family and just want to make life simpler. I like the idea of owning a place and not renting.

Posted by: derv1983 at October 9, 2009 11:52 AM in response to Wanted: Hovel in Brooklyn

Or I guess it could just be a terrible one family that I could get my motorcycle into. I'd like to be in a nicer neighborhood, but that's really out of the question. So the hood will work too.

Posted by: derv1983 at October 9, 2009 11:54 AM in response to Wanted: Hovel in Brooklyn

Huh? But wouldn't it be illegal? Not to mention uninsulated and unheated? With no plumbing? And if it did have plumbing, the plumbing would freeze.

Posted by: mopar at October 9, 2009 12:08 PM in response to Wanted: Hovel in Brooklyn

Alright, something legal and barely liveable. I'm pretty handy, so I can upgrade as I live there.

Posted by: derv1983 at October 9, 2009 12:15 PM in response to Wanted: Hovel in Brooklyn

There's a place in Birhgton Beach that would be a good example- MLS 347931. 8 Brighton 3rd Pl, Brooklyn NY

Posted by: derv1983 at October 9, 2009 12:16 PM in response to Wanted: Hovel in Brooklyn

There's a place in Brighton Beach that would be a good example- MLS 347931. 8 Brighton 3rd Pl, Brooklyn NY

Posted by: derv1983 at October 9, 2009 12:16 PM in response to Wanted: Hovel in Brooklyn

derv, how about buying a studio with an indoor garage of sorts? There are a bunch of boarded up Bungalows in Far Rockaway that I am sure you can buy for very very cheap and upgrade.

Posted by: Kensingtonian at October 9, 2009 12:19 PM in response to Wanted: Hovel in Brooklyn

Thanks, yaakovdoe. I know there are plenty of companies that advertise and I am sure they are great, but this time I would like to know any opinions from any homeowner who didn't hire any company and decided to do it by himself or herself and maybe with the help of a good mason. I am sure there must be somebody who didn't have enough money and decided to take the risk. I would really appreciate any advise. By the way, moreteasir, the Exhausto fan could be a good choice if it doesn't really work properly after the relining. Thanks!

Posted by: Dean5th at October 15, 2009 3:35 PM in response to Chimney Liner Advise