The Fred Smith Plumbing & Heating Company has shared Knicks season tickets since 1985. In October 2017, we got a surprise we’ll never forget… Here’s the video!

As printed in the “Ask Real Estate” section of The New York Times, January 20, 2018

Q. I recently moved into a renovated apartment in Hell’s Kitchen that is heated with steam. The valve on the radiator wakes me up most nights, intermittently making one of the loudest hissing sounds I have ever heard. Think of a teakettle whistling so loud that the noise interrupts conversations in the living room when my bedroom door is closed. I contacted my landlord, who sent a plumber, but the plumber said there were no solutions. Is there any way to fix this? And, if not, what are my options? I am desperate for a good night’s sleep.

A. Radiators can be noisy things that clang and hiss as steam heats a room. But one that functions properly should not sound like a wailing teakettle. Your radiator may have a problem with an air valve. Air valves, also known as air vents, open and close as steam flows through the radiator. (Unlike a control valve, you cannot turn an air valve on or off.)

These valves come in different sizes and are easily replaceable. “You could probably put a different type of air valve on the radiator that expels the air a little slower,” said Philip Kraus, the president of Fred Smith Plumbing and Heating in Manhattan. “It’s not complicated at all. You just unscrew it and put another one on.”

Assuming this is the problem, your landlord should address it. “The landlord is shirking his or her legal obligations here,” said Lucas A. Ferrara, a Manhattan real estate lawyer. Because the condition violates the warranty of habitability, a state law that protects tenants, you are entitled to a rent abatement and if the problem cannot be fixed, may be allowed to terminate your lease, Mr. Ferrara said.

You could write the landlord a letter, including these points, sent by certified mail, demanding that the problem be addressed. You could also call 311 to report the matter.

Your fastest route to a good night’s sleep, however, may be through your superintendent. Ask the super to replace the valve, something that Mr. Kraus said a handyman could do. While you should not have to pay for such work, offering a tip may get the job done faster.

Phil Kraus steps down as a member of the Board of Directors of the New York Building Managers Association (NYBMA) when his term expires in October. For three years, Phil served the organization as the Associate Member Representative. Tom Smajlaj, President of NYBMA, thanked Phil for his service and added, “Phil, you have been a guiding light for us during board meetings.” Phil Kraus is honored to have been asked to serve in this way and congratulates the NYBMA — one of the oldest and largest resident manager/superintendent organizations in the City — for its commitment to the professionalism of residential property management industry. “Through the educational programs offered by the NYBMA and the opportunities provided to its members to gather and learn from one another, the organization performs an important role in raising the bar for the entire industry. I am happy to have been able to contribute to this endeavor by serving on the NYBMA Board,” says Kraus.

Culligan of New York is recognized as one of the top Culligan dealerships in North America for 2016, based on an increase in revenues over the prior year. Scott Clawson, President of Culligan International, recognizes Culligan of New York as ranking in the top 15% of all dealerships in the Culligan system.

Preston Kraus, General Manager, attributes the growth to the dealership’s understanding of New Yorkers’ water quality problems and a commitment to excellence in providing the correct solutions.

“Whether providing building-wide filtration systems to solve brown water problems, or installing drinking water filters for residential tenants to improve the quality of their drinking water, Culligan of New York seeks to tailor solutions to each customer’s specific needs,” says Kraus. “As NYC-licensed plumbers, Culligan of New York can address any mechanical requirement of large or small installations.”

Culligan of New York is an affiliate of Fred Smith Plumbing & Heating.