Photo by PoPville flickr user Jordan Barab

“Dear PoPville,

I live in a small, two floor condo building on Capitol Hill and, over the past year, I’ve been been plagued with recurring leaks from above my kitchen ceiling every time that it rains. My unit is on the second floor with a flat roof right above it. Despite having had the roof area above my kitchen both patched and replaced (on two separate occasions by different roofing companies), the leaking persists. Our latest roofer is at a loss and has suggested that perhaps it’s coming from underneath the adjacent units’s rooftop deck. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Tim Brown

“Dear PoPville,

Looking for a reasonably priced ie cheap painter in DC to paint the interior of a house, any recommendations?”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Brian Mosley

“Dear PoPville,

I’m wondering if anyone has recs for good garage door companies in the the area that are a reasonable price. What has a new door with a new opener cost people? Has anyone used Pop’s Garage Doors?” Ed. Note: No affiliation.

“Dear PoPville,

We are moving back into our 1914 rowhouse after a few years of tenants and want to take this opportunity to do some restoration of our beautiful cherry-inlaid parquet floors. We have some damaged boards right where the parquet pattern is that pre-date our ownership that we would like to replace, places that are worn with little or no poly left, and wear patterns to address. We have received conflicting advice on how to proceed, ranging from (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I bought a 1918 rowhouse last year, which still has the original galvanized steel (not lead) water main. Over time, galvanized steel pipes corrode and weaken, so we need to replace the line before a leak springs.

The public water main on our street has already been replaced with copper by DC Water–good news, except it means we no longer have the option to buy into DC Water’s pipe replacement program.

We’re looking for recommendations for good and reasonable plumbers/contractors to replace a private side water line, outside of DC Water’s program. Thanks!”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

“Dear PoPville,

I am the association president of a small condo building in DC. Our condo building is new construction, and the first unit was purchased in March 2017. I’ve heard that we should get a professional study done before the two-year warranty period is over to see if there are any structural defects that the developer should be responsible for repairing – but I am having trouble finding information on companies that perform these studies.

Any recommendations? Should we be looking for a structural engineer? A home inspector? Any and all advice appreciated!”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Ketzirah Lesser & Art Drauglis

“Dear PoPville,

I want to do a major yard overhaul – redoing the parking pad, walkways, front steps, putting in a retaining wall, replacing sad patchy grass with low-maintenance ground-cover plants. But I don’t even know where to start. I think I’ll need a hardscaping contractor and a landscape architect? Who do I call first? Or would one company do both services? If I have two parties, how do I manage the budget? For example, if I have a landscape architect do the design work, but then hardscaping contractors give me quotes that are way too high, will I need to pay the landscape architect all over again?

If anyone has done a similar project, how much did it cost? My yard’s not big (lot size is just under 4000 sq ft), but it’s a lot of work.

I’d also love any recommendations.”

“Dear PoPville,

Looking to have roof patio expanded. Does anyone have suggestions on the process for how to go about getting a permit, etc. This is what it looks like now (above.)”