Need advice, neighbors make me nervous
bobblehead1
11 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (27)
DLM2000-GW
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoLuAnn_in_PA
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Nervous about Light Situation Need Some Advice Please!
Comments (6)"In my new apartment, it is definetely a bigger kitchen however a way smaller window. The lighting is poor totally.." I see a couple of things you can do. Other than supplementing light over the plants, which is good. Overdriving lights turns out to be not that hard. One: You could build a windowbox for the kitchen window. It wouldn't necessarily be a permanent change. No tearing out walls. Just mount an extended bay window setup outside your existing window. You might not be able to use the extra space in the winter, but ironically, the bay window will help insulate your kitchen when it's cold. Two: this is outside the box. In fact, I threw out the box. If you have limited light in your kitchen, you need to squeeze all the lumens out of the available sun. So, you could look up something called Holographic Diffraction Gratings, AKA HOE, Holographic Optical Elements. This is a semi-transparent film also called a suncatcher. I'm thinking of getting some of this stuff for my greenhouse and my own kitchen window shelf. The film catches the light, and diffracts it from bright sunlight to a widespread wash of white light. No shadows. No bright light here, darkness there. Which is good, as really strong light is bad for some plants. You'd put this film in your window and it would spread out the light and redirect it to where the plants are....See MoreTerrified of *BEING* a noisy neighbor, need advice pls
Comments (4)but don't make yourself too subservient and groveling before it's necessary--you DO have the right to play your guitar and sing; your kids DO have the right to walk around their home and to occasionally forget to walk for a few steps. Bcs your neighbor may also take advantage of you, or be really tough to establish some boundaries. Plus, you don't want to start mentally focusing on the noise from upstairs; she may start noticing (and minding) things that she would have simply not bothered to notice, before. Just say, "Hi, I'm the new neighbor, nice to meet you; please feel free to let me know of any problems." Then just live the way it's convenient for you. Don't assume there's trouble before it happens. For example--you said you wouldn't play in the mornings--well, int he mornings, above ME, you *could.* I get up pretty early on the weekday, and even on the weekend, I seldom sleep past 9; if I do, it's because I'm tired, and if you can wake me up w/ your guitar, then I ought to get out of bed anyway. And if you played in the LR, so as not to be over my bedroom, you could play acoustic guitar until 4am, bcs I wouldn't hear it. (I might hear it if I stayed up late int he LR, but I don't) I check in w/ my downstairs neighbors now and then as well; I've got 2 kids, a piano, and not particularly thick floors. Here's what they said to me: "I never hear anything to object to" and "If I ever do hear anything, it doesn't last very long." Both answers that indicate to me that, they hear us often. But that they don't object, bcs they understand that most of the time we're doing the best we can, and they believe an occasional awareness of your neighbors bcs of their living noise is just life. Don't make yourself too paranoid. You need to be able to enjoy your life....See MoreYou all are making me nervous about upcoming remodel
Comments (14)If any permits are pulled for your Project, you may need one or more inspections. Note also that if you do need inspections, Code changes from time to time and you may or may not meet current Code with your "new" kitchen. For example, if you have a range next to a doorway with no space (for safety) b/w it and the doorway, you may have to change that since Code in most places now says that you must have a certain amount of space b/w the range & doorway. (That "certain amount" may vary from municipality to municipality.) As another example, all kitchen outlets must now be on a GFI circuit of some sort (either all outlets GFI or the one at the "beginning" of the circuit must be a GFI.) All kitchen outlets must also be "tamper resistant". No, I don't know all the details of any of these, but they are examples to show you things you may run into. If you have not yet received all your cabinets & appliances, then you have no guarantee they will be on time...any delays there may delay your Project. Expect the unexpected! It's a rare remodel that doesn't encounter at least one "surprise"...that's why you should always include in your budget a line item equal to 10% to 15% of your overall remodel cost...it's those "surprises" that are often "budget busters" and/or "schedule breakers"! Good luck!...See MoreNeed Advice on Water Leak issue from a shared wall from my neighbor
Comments (24)A good example of why you don't buy a house with zero setback on one side. Some basic info adding on to what Suzi said above. Stucco walls are only resistant to water. If there is no eaves protecting them from rainfall or if there are winds causing rain to hit them, they can get fairly wet inside. They have a space behind the stucco and any water that penetrates flows down the inside and out the weep screed. Soil needs to be 4" below that and the ground needs to slope away from the house at 5% minimum. 2% is allowed for a hard surface. If the project had a geotechnical report, it could make additional requirements. I guess that is a long preamble for my next statement, which is that the weep screed is there to get water out of the wall from rain and maybe some spray from watering - not drip watering. His ground level better NOT be higher than your cement slab. Clearly, there can NEVER be standing water above your slab level. He is totally wrong about his liability based upon what we see in your information, limited as it may be. Even without the zero lot line variable, it is routine large damage payments for excess watering, sprinkler leaks, or changes in grade drainage issues causing problems for downhill lots. Also, do your eaves hang over into his property? Are you in a HOA? Edited to add: I noticed this in a forum dedicated to old houses. Stucco houses built before about 1980 or so probably don't have a weep screed at all. Is this an "old" house, whatever that means....See Moreazzalea
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agojakabedy
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agobrickeyee
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoc9pilot
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agobobblehead1
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agokats_meow
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agorrah
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agobobblehead1
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agonewbuyer2007
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRooseveltL
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agopalimpsest
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoalbert_135 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agocas66ragtop
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agocas66ragtop
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agorrah
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agocas66ragtop
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoazmom
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agobobblehead1
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agobrickeyee
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agopalimpsest
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoLoveInTheHouse
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agotom418
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agobrickeyee
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoyogastef
11 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDES9 Low-Growing Hedges That Make Good Neighbors
Define garden areas or borders without blocking the view, with these evergreen shrubs that take kindly to trimming
Full StorySIMPLE PLEASURESThe Art of Being Neighborly
Learn the heartfelt gestures that go a long way toward creating a welcoming community
Full StoryLIFEThe Polite House: What’s an Appropriate Gift to Welcome a New Neighbor?
Etiquette expert Lizzie Post suggests the right time and best presents to introduce a new neighbor to your area
Full StoryLIFEThe Polite House: How to Deal With Noisy Neighbors
Before you fly off the handle, stop and think about the situation, and follow these steps to live in harmony
Full StoryLIFEHow to Get Along With the Neighbors — and Live Happier at Home
Everyone wins when neighbors treat one another with kindness, consideration and respect
Full StoryPETSHow to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor
Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGRaise Backyard Chickens Without Ruffling Neighbors' Feathers
Before you build a coop in the backyard, follow these strategies to help keep your neighbors from squawking
Full StoryLIFE6 Tips for Teaching Your Kids to Be Good Neighbors
Everyone wins when your children learn to respect boundaries, get help when they need it and show others they care
Full StoryFRONT YARD IDEAS10 Ideas for a Front-Yard Edible Garden Your Neighbors Will Love
Choosing attractive, well-mannered plants and sharing the bounty will go a long way toward keeping the peace
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: When MoMA is Your Next Door Neighbor
Modern Icons and Family Furniture Inspire Eclectic Manhattan Apartment Design
Full Story
bobblehead1Original Author