What the heck is this...

and why the heck is it squeeking



corner of Vandy and Prospect.

Subject: Re: What the heck is this...

OILLLLLLL!...

I'm pretty sure it vents an electrical transformer located below street level.

really? hadnt considered that one. some 6-7 weeks ago the spinny thing started squeeking with all the rust. I keep trying to get 311 to get someone here, but no one knows who to assign the ticket to since i cant tell what it is. anyone have a ladder?? it just needs some WD40. 24/7 squeeking is making me insane.

so even more messed up-- i call 311 to try that angle and they insist it has to go to 911 if a rusty metal thing is blowing-- it is considered a hazardous situation. no matter how many times i explained it may blow off because the top is leaning, but i dont think its a hazard, they didnt listen. i expect the swat team to arrive shortly.

oy.

the top looks designed to let out heat, but prevent things like rats, squirrels and rain from getting in.

Maybe put oil in a supersoaker? (kidding)

Yeah - it's just a vent for something underground. (Could even be a subway tunnel or something) These are normally on the tops of roofs not pipes, so it looks weird. The shape makes it spin with the wind -- it think that causes suction. But not sure. We had these on my house -- there was still a screen at the bottom to keep out critters.

Does the pipe/stack have a name on it? ConEd or MTA or whatnot? Could try calling them... eergh.

Subject: the squeaky thing

Hi
it is for the National Grid or Con Ed.
It happened years ago and they finally came and fixed it.
Call each of those companies and or 311 and tell them that it is the Gas company's (I am 95% sure it was Nat Grid's) and they should come fix it.
hope that helps and yes it is a vent

jayce- do you live where I used to live? I never had a tall enough ladder

hahahahaha. yep. same apartment, even. i am digging the super soaker idea, i gots to admit!

i totally thought about doing that too. I started thinking about all the things I could oil soak. went downhill from there!
did you get in touch with 311 and nat grid?

i sent you an email. its ConEd-- they are on the way to fix it. yeehaw.
like my momma always told me, you can't go to bed at night until you learn somethin new. today i learned that transformer vents look like 1940s air raid stations and make a shit ton of noise when rusted.

thanks for all the help! :cheers:

I may stand corrected but I think you've run into a Scientology religious observence.

Walkathon wrote: I may stand corrected but I think you've run into a Scientology religious observence.

They are going to get you now!

When I live in the hot south, those vents were pretty common on houses as attic vents, to let all the heat out.

i always thought it was a alien tracking device. btw couldn't they build a better looking vent!!!!

this reminds me of an air raid siren, that's what I always believed it to be.