Shitty (literally) brownstone surprises

Hi all,

My husband and I moved into our rather rundown brownstone a couple of months ago. We’d been lifelong apartment dwellers till now, so this is the first time either of us has had a whole building — and it’s a cranky 150 years old — to take care of. Today, our waste line burst, flooding our cellar with sewage-y water. Some lovely emergency plumbing guys have just snaked the pipe (the first time either my husband or I had heard this term), a task that is apparently meant to be done every six months or year.

Frankly, we are ashamed at how ignorant we are about maintenance matters, and I thought this community might be able to help us avoid future shitty surprises. So my question is: what other routine brownstone/old building/house-owner maintenance tasks should we be aware of, and how often should they be done? Gutter clearing, chimney sweeping, pipe snaking… what else??

Thank you,
Embarrassed Newbie Brownstoner

Guest User | 9 years and 10 months ago

12

Please log in, in order to post replies!

12 replies

Newest Oldest

resident2 | 9 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5066 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5078 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181002"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BYKCrEpDU34.3RJghRPk8/Xp1XpCve/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "Jamanda1255@Yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:07:33"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181002)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If you are not flushing stuff down your sewers that does not belong down there you will never need to clean out (snake out) your sewers ever again… every six months?!
Find a good local plumber to do your seasonal boiler, hot water maintenance checks, and keep him in your file for all plumbing issues. If you wait until something is an emergency to find a plumber you will end up paying too much and get a bad job, because they do not know your building and do not care. Check your roof & gutters 2-3 times a year; that neighbors if you are attached have not put stuff up there and that the gutters/leaders are not clogged etc. Make sure not to overload electrical circuits, especially if you have older wiring.
Get a copy of the readers digest book of home maintenance. It is very comprehensive, very basic and very boring… but extremely useful when needed.
Take time to get to know your building… you will end up having a better relationship with it.

glarph | 9 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5068 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5065 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "50027"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "glarph"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BxFmoy5uAQwbf3iem2eanORhEr1zDr1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "glarph"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jpbeaufort@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/boxbear/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:54"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "glarph"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(50027)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

…and I’m going to go ahead and say what people might be too delicate to say… tampons. Oh god, the flushing of tampons. If you’ve got a chronic offender (and I did, with a tenant) you will be calling the plumber regularly. Congratulations! You are about to find out how much poor treatment your house has withstood and it can come in so many different forms. Find good tradespeople and treat them well!

BobMarvin | 9 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5067 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5064 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "802"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "BobMarvin"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$vXcETAGfbklfbxLqBuZOwe9SvZukjLn11bfJ4K5tk7sYEGuWi6OGW"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "bobmarvin"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "marvbej@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "http:///forums/users/bobmarvin/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2006-09-08 23:16:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "Bob Marvin"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(802)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["SPF Manage Forums"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(5) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["SPF Manage Forums"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

But, doesn’t EVERYONE do that prior to buying a house?

agdipierro

in General Discussion 9 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "2"
object(WP_User)#5057 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5055 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193981"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "agdipierro"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BjDTuwCj4tgSBxiRfyvL5BfmyXSBWO."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "agdipierro"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(25) "alyssagdipierro@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 12:51:26"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(31) "Alyssa diPierro Alyssa diPierro"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193981)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Start with a home inspection report from a reputable company like Accurate.

cmu | 9 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5067 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5058 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1452"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(3) "cmu"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BAgbyB/HMjW1bkU2j50UcmzgpaBAo2."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(3) "cmu"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "chandrumurthi@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(33) "http:///forums/users/splitsville/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:48:11"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(3) "cmu"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1452)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Please. Anyone who pro-actively snakes their main stack every 6 months is terminally anal, pun intended. Your lovely plumbers are quite self-serving. Do it if there’s a reason to suspect blockage or when drains are slow. You may have to snake sinks & baths from time to time, but you can do that yourself.

As dibs mentioned, check the condition of your boiler. Old ones are quite inefficient and waste tons of money. Change from oil to gas…National Grid used to have a subsidy plan to help out.

Otherwise, most things are on a need basis, like going to a doctor when you have symptoms.

shahnandersen

in General Discussion 9 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "2"
object(WP_User)#141288 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5053 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(1) "6"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "shahnandersen"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "shahnandersen"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(31) "brownstoner@brownstoner.com.old"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(27) "brownstoner.com/renovation1"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2006-09-08 20:12:54"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(6)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Snaking the line every six months makes no sense. Ellengray has probably diagnosed the problem. If she is right there should be no need to do it again. Did the waste line really break or did it just back up? If you don’t know the answer to this get a reputable plumber (Check with neighbors for suggestions) to TV the sewer line. This should cost a few hundred dollars and you will find out what the waste line’s condition really is, such as are there any breaks or blockages such as from tree roots? Then you’ll know what you have to do, if anything.

daveinbedstuy | 9 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#141290 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#141291 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(54) "http://www.brownstoner.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

And, how old and what type of furnace/boiler do you have?

daveinbedstuy | 9 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#141289 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#141292 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(54) "http://www.brownstoner.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Have your roof inspected by a reputable roofer. I used Leakmasters.

slopefarm | 9 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#141288 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#141293 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "655"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BK7dzbqXJe9TV6iU0glcNZiXdOt9CR1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "jrubin@law.nyc.gov"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/slopefarm/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:11:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(655)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

We have a four-story frame house that is as old and cranky as your brownstone. We’ve only had to snake the line once. in 10 years. Either the line is cracked somewhere and needs to be replaced (once) or it needs to be snaked when it gets clogged, which should be rare.

Arkady | 9 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#141292 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#141290 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14677"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSLpIhH1FLNbV2Qdpb/F67tu7brrgw1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "rkdillon@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/arkady/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-08-04 21:50:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "HL9P1Plx6tnm1l8GiJvd"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14677)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I don’t know how easily you can access the archives here but there’ve been several comprehensive threads on routine maintenance.

eileengray | 9 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#141289 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#141294 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "185785"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "eileengray"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B0NiQirfkybndiVQvJsyaJdMuryGsv0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "eileengray"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "architect705@icloud.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:29:00"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "eileengray"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(185785)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If the building was unoccupied for a period of time, debris from outside area drains and the roof can accumulate in the house trap. Without anyone using water in the house to flush the trap, debris can solidify and cause back-up. I’ve seen this happen.

anotherposter | 9 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#141288 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#141295 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "53767"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "anotherposter"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bq7XUGtTb.5jsWjD4iMAO7rQGswiJX0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "anotherposter"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "mail.anon.user@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(28) "/forums/users/anotherposter/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:38:06"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "anotherposter"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(53767)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Why did they say you need to snake it regularly? If you aren’t abusing the line and don’t have a tree growing roots into it, you shouldn’t need to do that. “Abuses” can include flushing things other than human waste and toilet paper (no wipes, not even those that say they are flushable!!) or leaves/yard debris if you have an outdoor drain or gutter going into your waste line and it doesn’t have a grate over it.