Forum: Cellar
March 17, 2010
Repairs to basement: contractor?
I recently bought into a brownstone co-op that needs a fair amount of work. Most immediately, there are multiple problems in the basement, including leaks, rotting joists, out-of-date electrical panels, and a bust hot-water heater. The work is going to require an electrician, a plumber, and some general labor.
Would you recommend hiring a contractor to get the whole thing done? Or should I find an electrician, a plumber, and a handyman separately? I imagine the contractor will be more expensive, since he has to pay the others and take a profit for himself. But it would be a lot easier if I could hire one guy to take care of the whole mess. Your thoughts please.
March 13, 2010
Basement Flooring
I currently have a wood and dirt basement floor--that is, thin wooden unfinished boards are on a dirt floor. I am one of the few people who does not have a problem with flooding in my basement since any water drains down into the dirt, and I was once told this is the best type of basement floor to have.
I am about to have some repairs done to a basement bathroom adjacent to the house's back wall, and the contractor recommended a poured concrete floor. Am I making a mistake if I do this? I did ask him to put a drain in the floor. In addition, my plumber tells me that there is a trap in that floor, so won't putting in a concrete floor there cover the trap?
February 12, 2010
Building Code Issue re: Cellar
I would like know if the building code has a clear opinion about this: This is a two family, the garden floor for rental and the duplex upstairs. I want to renovate the cellar and make a direct access from the duplex to the cellar. The garden apartment wont have access to the cellar.
I would like to remove the walls enclosing the stairs. The boiler will have a brick wall room and a fire door.
Do we need any type of fire door between the cellar and the rest of the house? Again, the boiler room will be enclosed in a room with a fire door.
The idea is to make the access to the cellar as open as possible, right now with all the doors and walls is not really welcoming. What the code of the DOB is saying about that?
And yes, when I decide to do the job I will hire an architect and a licensed and insured contractor but I don't have any of them yet to ask questions. Before hiring anybody, I would like to know the DOB limitations about walls and fire doors separating the cellar and the rest of the house.
February 1, 2010
Creative Input Needed
A seller (who is also a builder) offered to finish a cellar for me as part of the deal. He wants to tile the floor, but I would prefer (mostly) wood floors. I realize that moisture is an issue. I plan on putting a rec room and office. The office would have a window in the back of the house. Any other flooring alternatives that are attractive but not too expensive etc. Any other basement/cellar ideas appreciated!
It's about 850 sq. feet.
January 19, 2010
Skylight/Hatch
Hi
I am currently renovating my sub basement. I want to replace the metal doors on the coal hatch (in the front of my house) with a skylight so that I can get natural light into the basement. Does anyone have any advise on the best way to approach this? Also, any recommendations on the type of skylight to use?
Thanks
Megan
Cellar Heating?
Anybody has converted part of the cellar into a working space? How do you heat it? I am thinking about converting the front part of the cellar into my office and would like to know how usually people heat the space. Also, any recommendation about tiles or cement? Or wood on top of the cement? I have to do a full renovation of the cellar, anything would work. Any experience converting part of the cellar into office space?
January 14, 2010
Cellar Clean Outs
Can anyone recommend a clean and reliable person/company to clean out my basement. Old stuff we don't want, some old paint cans, wood, and general trash?
Cheers
December 7, 2009
Dirt Floor in Basement
I am considering buying a wood frame house in Brooklyn with a dirt floor in the basement, but want to get an idea of just how much of an undertaking it would be to finish the floor. I have three questions: 1. Are there any alternatives to poured concrete? 2. About how much would it cost to put in a poured concrete floor in the basement? 3. Can you recommend any companies that would do this?
Thank you!
October 5, 2009
Basement Storage Units
Hi,
Does anyone know a reputable (preferably local) company that will install basement storage lockers into apartment buildings?
October 2, 2009
Termites In the Basement
Termite tubes (two long, several short) have appeared between a few joists (near stubblestone walls, no adjoining house) at the rear of a brownstone basment. One company says bait stations: drill in two places at the front of the house next to the stoop and two places in the backyard of the house. Another says drill the joists and bait, then drill below the rear paving blocks (including one on my neighbor's property, with permission, of course). What works? My brownstone is a significant investment to protect and I want to stop the infestation. Can anyone help with advice?
Stew