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Keyword: Ask the Architect
552 results total, viewing 541 - 550
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Q. I have a second home upstate, and the garage was converted to livable space. The dampness is really bad. The sheetrock walls are getting mildewed. They must not have put a vapor barrier in when pouring the concrete floor. Is there anything I can do to the floor to stop the moisture from coming through?
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Monte Leeper
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11/3/11
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Q. Shortly after we moved into our home 44 years ago, construction began on the properties behind us. We ended up with water in our basement after extremely heavy rains. After research, we installed a sump pump and French drains around the perimeter of the basement.
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Monte Leeper
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10/20/11
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Last week I wrote about insurance companies and payment issues for policies not covering everything unless you go to extremes. I explained what to do and how professionals design for severe wind and rain protection.
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Monte Leeper
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10/6/11
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Q. I live in a hurricane zone, according to my insurance company, and they’re telling me I need a windstorm letter from a professional, but in checking my policy, I noticed that I’m not really covered for much, including water and wind damage. They don’t cover contents of the home, only structural damage, and with all kinds of limits it looks like I’m left to pay for most of the losses. I’m not sure that Irene was such a big deal, but I am concerned about the next one.
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Monte Leeper
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9/29/11
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Q. I’m reluctant to start any project on my home right now. Between the horror stories you write about, the economy, the lower value of my house and the noise and invasion of my home, I want to know if there is anyone out there who can make this job less of a pain. Do you know a contractor who will make this easier for us?
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Monte Leeper
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8/4/11
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Q. You wrote about the Lighthouse project a while back. With all the discussion about the vote on a new Coliseum, what do you think of the situation? Can we afford this, from what we have heard, and what other items do we not know about?
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By Monte Leeper
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7/28/11
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Q. I have a waterfront property and my neighbor is building something behind my home on the water, blocking my view and access to the water. He claims he bought the underwater property and has been measuring to do something. Can someone sell public property without notifying anyone adjacent to it, especially where it should have been offered to us. since it was public land?
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Monte Leeper
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7/21/11
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Q. My husband and I are planning our first real home after living in an apartment for many years. We’ll be completely renovating a suburban home we’re just buying, and the master bathroom is a big part of our reason for moving. We have space for his and hers closets and a big bathroom, but he wants a huge shower for two and I want a smaller shower and a big soaking and whirlpool tub. I’m sure there are things that need to be done, like extra floor beams, etc., but what do you think works best, since we completely disagree about this one thing?
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Monte Leeper
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7/14/11
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Q. I have a commercial building that has space for doctors’ offices, eateries and retail stores, and I’m wondering about my parking. I got a zoning variance for the number of cars because we didn’t have enough spaces. We got a permit and everything is legal, but can I designate specific spaces with “Reserved for Doctor” signs or do I have to leave it as general parking? The doctors want the spaces closest to their front door. What’s legal?
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Monte Leeper
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6/29/11
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Q. I had a fence company recently give me an estimate for replacing a section of fence. I agreed with the estimate and gave them a deposit. I’m not questioning the need for a permit, but wonder if it’s customary for me to go to town hall to obtain the permit, or should the contractor be doing that?
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Monte Leeper
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6/24/11
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