Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
“Dear PoP,
We live on the 1800 block of Irving St, NW and we have a clogged main line sewer pipe. The clog is apparently on the other side of our property line and is on city property. I was wondering if anyone has ever dealt with WASA coming out and unclogging/repairing a sewer line?”
Anyone experience this before? Do you just call DCWater (formerly WASA)? How long does it take to get fixed?
Photo by PoPville flickr user dullshick
“Dear PoP,
I was wondering if you could ask people’s experiences with having an oil heating system in their house? I’m taking the first steps to becoming a homeowner and a few houses have oil heat and I’m a bit weary of the costs of operation.”
We’ve had an interesting discussion on the merits of radiators vs forced air but does anyone have an opinion on oil heating vs natural gas? Are there other options?
“Dear PoP,
I noticed this weekend that the new owner of a standard two-story rowhouse on my block in Columbia Heights has requested a variance from DCRA. The sign in the window states that he’s requested a variance from 1) the minimum lot area requirements, 2) the lot occupancy requirements, 3) the court requirements, and 4) the off-street parking requirements. He wants to turn what’s apparently now a “12-unit rooming house” into a “3-unit apartment house, with a new third story addition.” The property has been vacant for some time, has not been used as a rooming house in the several years I’ve lived nearby, and is described in the DC real property tax assessment database as a 4BR, 3 bath, 10-room, “multi”-type building. Being cynical, I read the DCRA announcement as “build an ugly pop-up out of keeping with the rest of the block, build a rear addition right to the property line or as close as they’ll allow, and create three crappy condos that’ll eventually go into foreclosure because someone didn’t learn their lesson in the housing bust.” Our block has come a long way in the last few years, from being anchored at all four corners by vacant/boarded-up houses to having all but one of those–and many others–re-done.
From DCRA’s website, I see that I’d have to file an application for party status at least 15 days prior to the hearing, since I’m not the ANC. Does anyone know what happens after that? And what are valid grounds for opposing a variance? The PoP commentariat seems to hate badly-done pop-ups as much as I do, but I imagine “it could be ugly” isn’t enough to convince DCRA to disapprove the request. Selfishly, I’d prefer not to have 3-6 more cars trying to find parking on my block, as we can almost always park right in front of our house now, but realize that’s a petty complaint. I could make a decent argument about increased stormwater runoff, since our basement floods if the alley overflows. But that’s about all I’ve got.
I don’t necessarily oppose the project, either. I’m not going to be a jerk and hold things up just because I can. I think I just want more info about what’s to come and it seems like participating in the DCRA process might be the only way to get that. What do your readers think?”
Has anyone ever opposed a variance? If so, what were your experiences like? Is this the best way to combat ugly pop ups?
“Dear PoP,
I have those old sunroom/porches on the back of my house and want to have them redone , i.e., insulated, drywalled, siding on back of house redone, etc. basically turned into usable space. Could you ask your readers for suggestions for good contractors for that sort of job? I have called several and have gotten no responses (I thought we were in a recession and people needed work, but I guess not).”
Anyone have this done before? Any guesses to how much this would cost? And of course any recommendations on who can do the work?
I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this home on 13th St, NW before but they have an interesting alternative to plywood. Anyone else ever see this type of plywood replacement before?
This great building is located on Q St, NW just east of 7th. Work had started a long time ago but then abruptly stopped. Looks like they’re back on track. I had no idea they were putting such a huge addition on the back. Fortunately it looks like they’ve been able to save the facade. It looks like the pop up will blend in rather well. I’ll be sure to update as construction progresses.
“Dear PoP,
I am in the process of refinishing the stairs and banister in my 1925 rowhouse. I am replacing the toe rail along the top of the baseboard – it wasn’t special, not worth the effort to strip it. I wonder if anyone can recommend a source for moulding and millwork. It would be nice to have an alternative to Home Depot and Lowes.
I’ve seen a company called Galliher & Huguely up at the end of Kansas Ave NW, but they never seem to be open.”
Anyone have some suggestions? Can’t wait to see the “after” pictures!!!
Photo by PoPville flickr user mmphillippi
“Dear PoP,
I live in a 90 year old semi-detached row house on Capitol Hill. The lot next door to my row house is currently under construction and the permits disclose that the owner intends to built a duplex that will be about 5′ from my house. Last week they tore down most of the 1890’s duplex that had been there previously leaving large piles of rubble. Today I woke up to my entire house shaking, as a bobcat and font end loader were pushing large piles of the rubble (mostly brick) against the party wall between the properties to fill the buckets. This cannot be good for the brick party wall or my house. I now have a few small cracks in my ceiling (mostly at the dry wall tape) that are new.
I stopped them from doing this and the site manager and he promised to be more careful, but I am usually working during the day and not home to stop damage from occurring. I called 311 to try to figure out who should be monitoring to make sure that the construction company is not doing harm to my property. I spoke with someone at DCRA and they told me that no one can do anything as long as there are valid permits. Apparently once a company has valid permits, the district has no authority and does not monitor work in progress.
Next week they start excavating the basement and we will be out of town. How can I make sure that they don’t damage our house? Who can I call if I see them doing something unsafe or that might put my property in danger — the police? Are they really allowed to do whatever they want if they have a construction permit? I really don’t want this to be a repeat of Morgan Street or a long legal battle if they damage our house or foundation.”
Specifically the reader wants to know what are his/her rights? Is the company doing the work responsible to fix any damage they cause to the neighboring house? What should the owner of this do before going on vacation? Take photos of the entire property? What else?
I’ve noted before how sad the shell next to the great painted house on Park Road, NW, just west of Mt. Pleasant St., looked. I was super psyched to see serious work had finally begun on restoring this beauty. I’ll be sure to update to see if it remains a single family home or becomes condos.
“Dear PoP,
I have a typical Wardman style rowhouse with only one bathroom. I am thinking about getting a powder room in the basement, just a sink and a toilet. Currently, there is not a bathroom in the basement. One plumbing company gave me a price of $6700 for doing the groundwork plumbing, rough-in plumbing, and fixture installation. Does this price sound reasonable? If not, can you refer me to other plumbing companies that can do the job for less?”
What do you guys think – has anyone done a project like this before?