wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

I have pipes in a crawl space where I cant drain them and they are wrapped with heating tape to not freeze. The problem is what happens when we lose power which happens at least once a year often when it is freezing.

I want to set up a backup system with heating tape plugged into a 12V system on batteries that recharge but will keep the pipes from freezing if the power fails.

But I can't find heating tapes that run on 12V batteries. Any ideas?

Alvin speaks in a very annoying way. His attempt to sound more intelligent by using big words achieves the exact opposite.

Isn't your landlord supposed to pay heat and hot water? Our's does NOT!

Any ideas on how to make new tight-fitting windows easier to raise and lower? These are of the aluminum type, but not combination storm variety. We have tried putting various lubricants on the rails, but there is no improvement.

I have my grandparents' bedroom dressers. They are probably from the 1920s or 1930s. Is it possible to retrofit the drawers so they glide?

I have my grandparents' bedroom dressers. They are probably from the 1920s or 1930s. Is it possible to retrofit the drawers so they glide?

I think the answer to the question is LOLLY COLUMN??

What does NYC law say about landlords providing a working intercom? What about interior lighting for rooms with no windows? Love you guys!

~Meredith

I've got a 1920's era house where a previous owner converted what was probably a butler's pantry to a bathroom. The bathroom doesn't have any heat. The house has steam heat and it would be cost prohibitive to add a new radiator. I've had two thoughts: 1) Add an electric base board heater with it's own thermostat. 2) Use some sort of ventilation fan to create air exchange between the bathroom and an adjacent room.

We have a radiant floor heating system.
Could you use this also for cooling?
(By running cold water through the pipes instead of hot...)

HOW DO YOU CLEAN AMERICAN GUTTERS?

What do you call a regular window that goes entirly into wall above window frame and has small shutters on bottom? It becomes a doorway.

You should not condition payment on completion but sign off from building dept., inspectors. Also final payment has to be on Final CO and not occupancy, Every nut bolt and screw should be specified and penalty for late performance(contraCTOR PAYS CONSTRUCTION LOAN INTEREST) and reward for early completion

Hi,

Is it okay to insulate inside walls, for example, a wall that separates an insulated porch and a living room?

Thanks,
Kathleen

Greetings,

What is the correct way to whitewash interior red brick wall? Normal white latex paint or is there something special just for this purpose to get an old-whitewashed look?

thanks!

Jackie

I came out of my house recently and found the bottom 15 feet of one of my leaders missing! I presume it was stolen for the copper. I presume I can get a replacement added. What kind of should I get? Are there companies that specialize in this kind of work?

Also, the recent spate of heavy rains has reminded me that I've got a leak on the south side of my roof. Is it possible to find leaks to target a repair, and limit the cost, or do I have no choice but to repair at least that whole side of the roof.

The house is a frame structure built in the 1920s.

Hi,

Is it sufficient to dig window wells, filled with gravel for drainage, in order to prevent water from coming in through basement windows? Or are window well cover also necessary?

I'd love to stop buying bottled water, but the water form my faucet comes out cloudy and tasting like rust. What do you think of faucet water filters? What should I look for if I buy one? How much work is it to maintain a faucet filter?

Hello:

My name is John located in Palm Beach, Fl and I listen online.

My question is what is wrong and how can I fix the following problem.

Occasionly say three of five times when I open my electric garage door, it opens fully and then slowly say 1/2 of the usual closing speed goes back down but never fully, it (the bottom of the door) stops approximately three feet from the garage floor.

I had someone look at it about three months ago and the service man said that motor is going, he adjusted the door/motor? I don't know but the performance did not improve.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

John

This spring season brought us much cold humid weather. Air conditioners perform double duty as both air coolers as well as dehumidifiers. My question: are dehumidifying units more efficient, less polluting, and less costly to operate than air conditioners? Also, do you know if large commercial buildings are equipped to operate central dehumidifiers without their air conditioners (coolers) simultaneously? It seems there might be both a financial and environmental incentive to alter
those buildings' environmental control systems.

Building built in 1940. Radiators have covers that extend upwards to form window shelf. Over the years layers of paint on these shelves are cracked and uneven. How can we scrap down to the metal and repaint.
Thank you

I love it when you invite brothers Ubell: I always learn something new. Their word is my Gospel!!!

I have bees living in the wood under the roof, and they might be carpenter bees. How do I get rid of them? When I spray with commercially available bee/hornets killer spray, they laugh in my face and go about their business...

My other question: how do I pix a leaking roof? I am a strong girl, but with limited skills, but I am a fast learner. I went on the roof and do not see a link anywhere. So I think I will cut out the dry wall from inside the house, remove wet insulation, go on the roof with a water house, spray water on the roof area and try to see where the water comes from that way. Then I will replace wet insulation, any rotten pieces, put up new drywall and plaster it, then put a piece of black tar on the roof. Does that sound OK?

Many thanks
Aga