Brownstoner Forum

Need suggestions for fixing, cleaning & water-proofing the basement walls?

Sat, 25 May 2013 07:07:53 -0400

We live in a 1930's all-brick house, and the time has finally come for us to do our basement, which has been already demo'ed. We live about 3/4 of a mile from the water, and we are about 70 feet above sea level. Thankfully, the basement has no leaks through any of it's walls or the floor As you can see by the photo, we need to fix cracks, scrape off the old paint/junk from the walls (blocks), have them waterproofed from any extra humidity / moisture and then painted. We will be using metal studs in the construction with green sheetrock everywhere (except ceiling), however there will be two machine-room closets (one for boiler / heater, and the other for electrical / gas meters) that will have the walls non-covered for access. Can anyone suggest what water-proofing, crack sealent and paint to use so that it lasts well and the walls don't start peeling in a couple of years? Also, any other suggestions are much appreciated. See The Answers

Regulations on below grade garden?

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:42:12 -0400

Where can I find regulation on what I can and cannot build in my garden apartment which is 20 feet below grown level? See The Answers

How to

Fri, 24 May 2013 23:43:29 -0400

How to Finance a Handyman Special See The Answers

My Landlord is taking me to Housing Court. Help!

Fri, 24 May 2013 22:12:56 -0400

My landlord is taking me to housing court on the basis I haven't paid rent, which is not true and I have bank statements and checks to prove this. He also is charging me an additional $800 and will not explain the source. I have lived in this apartment for 3 years and he has done no repair work: no fire alarms, broken locks, broken window in the living room that I had to physically hold down during Hurricane Irene, and many more, including no windows in my bedroom. Also, the building does not have a Certificate of Occupancy, which I just discovered is required by NY law. The landlord has several lawsuits against him at the moment (I've been doing background work on him), all similar to my case. I have a court hearing next week and will bring bank statements, photos of the apartment, and a print out of the NY C.O. page that shows one doesn't exist for this apartment. What else should I bring, what should I expect in court, and who are good cheap lawyers to contact? Thank you! See The Answers

garden starting to bloom...must be summer

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:54:44 -0400

Enter Your Question See The Answers

Estimate In Line?

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:56:53 -0400

Scope: Install 1 outside light, 2 recept., + 1 inside recep. and 2 inside switches for light & recep. On back wall of house, wired from existing inside box. Got quote over 1300 (from recc. via here)...is this reasonable? I was figuring much less, it's a day's work. Also, they want to run wire in inside wall but then I have additional cost of patching 10-12 holes and repaint. Isn't outside conduit better (nd cheaper)? I assume then there'd be only 3 penetrations which lead to boxes so patching would be minimal. See The Answers

I need to hang a shelf

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:05:59 -0400

I need to hang a shelf but it's on an outer wall that is plaster over concrete, the drill bit stops about 1/2 of an inch into the wall and nails bend there as well. See The Answers

someone to snake our gutter leaders.

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:13:24 -0400

We are having our gutter replaced and new leaders but we need a plumber to snake our leader at the back of the house, does anyone have a recomendation? Thanks See The Answers

carpet installer

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:36:03 -0400

Can anyone recommend someone who does carpet installation? I have about 12' of hallway runner that needs to be replace. I have enough leftover carpet, but needs piping stiched in and installed. I've tried a few places, but all will only install carpet they sell. (The carpet is left from the previous owner and I don't know where it came from.) See The Answers

Is this wall a load-bearing wall?

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:06:50 -0400

We're thinking about taking down the hallway wall, but we're not sure if it's load-bearing or not... yet. So I'd like to hear some inputs from all you experts!
it's a pre-wall building with 9 floors, judging from the beams on top, do you think the hallway wall would be a load-bearing wall? Do you think there'll be a column underneath the hallway corner?
Thank you all so much!! See The Answers

Any similar websites to Brownstoner in NJ

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:17:09 -0400

Hello, Does anyone know of any sites that deal with the NJ real estate market in a similar fashion to Brownstoner? We are thinking of opening a small NJ branch/ satellite office and would like to scout out a few different towns. I thought a resource similar to Brownstoner would be of some help. Thanks. See The Answers

FHA MORTGAGE CHANGES COMING JUNE 3RD

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:24:37 -0400

If your buying a home and you have a contract - make sure your mortgage person pulls an FHA case # before June 3rd. If you dont your PMI will either never go away or last a minimum of 11 Years. This all depends on the down payment. Vanessa Thatcher Senior Loan Officer NMLS# 41404 Atlantic Home Capital 4175 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Ste 310 Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 Office: 631-687-3510 x106 Direct Fax: 631-918-5222 Cell: 631-672-4113 “Pennies don’t fall from heaven; they have to be earned here on earth” ~Margaret Thatcher~ See The Answers

Driveway and parking place built in front yard?

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:16:31 -0400

I'm curious about putting a parking space in my front yard. Has anyone successfully filed for permits and been approved? And if so, had the actual construction work done? Our block (and whole neighborhood in Crown Heights) is full of houses with parking spots in their front yard space. We meet the criteria as stated by the city here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/tool_kit_curb_cuts.pdf But I'm told I need a licensed surveyor to come survey the property to accompany the application of city permits. Any insight to this process would be most appreciated. We calculated the cost (estimated by a contractor) and it would roughly equate paying for 1 year's worth of parking in a lot several blocks away, so it's a good investment, if we can get it done. See The Answers

All HVAC won't return calls - worth persisting? Other reccomendations?

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:43:59 -0400

Based on recommendations here, my wife and I have been persisttantly calling All HVAC to get them in to give us an extimate on central A/C for our Bed-Stuy brownstone. We've spoken to their office ofer a dozen times in the last 3 weeks - we keep getting the same response - "I'll give the owner the message - he's very busy." - I hear they're very good - but this kind of customer service gives me pause. Are they worth it? Who else can you recommend? I'm also talking to UNICO people, but that's looking very pricy. Don't want to get a ductless split system. Thanks! See The Answers

looking for 5 Panel oak Doors (flat recessed) (2 same size) 28x80 .

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:26:54 -0400

looking for 5 Panel oak Doors (flat recessed) (2 same size) 28x80 . Ive been looking in all the usual places OGT, etc, If you have any leads would greatly appreciate. Thanks Contact chrisw156@gmail.com See The Answers

Ooooh that smell....

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:43:22 -0400

We just finished a whole house renovation which included new drywall, new floors, everything, I think except party walls and joists. And yet, now that warm weather is upon is, the house stinks, particularly the top floor.It reminds me of a house I used to visit as a kid where they had pet iguanas and snakes. You know, like the reptile house at the zoo. Any suggestions? I'm burning lots of candles to mask the smell but I can't trace the source. See The Answers

Can I build a water fall in my backyard in brooklyn?

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:51:43 -0400

Are there any regulation for building a water fall/wall? Permits? etc See The Answers

Can I build a water wall/fall in my below grade garden?

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:06:06 -0400

I live in a 2 story condo (new development) that is below grade. Both levels are livable space. I have a garden that is 20 feet below the backyard ground level. I would like to do some landscaping to make the space more interesting. I am trying to find if there is any restrictions on what can I build, can I plant trees? I would really like to build a water wall on a portion of the walls that surround the garden but can't find any info, can anyone help? See The Answers

Blinds Repair

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:47:00 -0400

Does anyone know who repairs the old wooden blinds commonly found in brownstones? The wood is all in tact but the cord broke so we can't pull the blind up. I used to have a guy who did this but he retired. I live in Park Slope and really want to keep these old blinds in. I Googled it but I just keep coming up with window repair and not blind repair companies. See The Answers

Certificate of Occupancy

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:10:24 -0400

My friend has her family's 1910 house that has no c of o on the DOB site. What are the obstacles about getting one. She is desperate to do work this summer but cannot get permits now. Any advise would be appreciated. See The Answers