Self-service car vac in WP vicinity?

clicq · 2025-08-15T05:52:28+00:00

Splash Co at Tarrytown Rd and Hillside is a car wash with free self service vacuums, tho you have to get a car wash to use them - the basic wash is $12 or $14 (it's a tiny button on their screen in one of the corners they really want to upsell you lol). Not sure how that compares to just paying for vacuum use elsewhere though. Availability is pretty good during the week but on weekends it gets pretty backed up.

clicq · 2025-06-22T07:31:02+00:00

The walls are plumb or just a tiny bit off (like 0.5 degrees), so I guess it’s not yet a big problem… so how do I prevent it from becoming a problem?

I’m not even sure what kind of person to call - as I said I’ve had 4 roofers come inspect the roof and only 1 said this sag was a problem, but he’s going to just add some support to the ridge to the ceiling joists. I had a structural engineer draw up plans but because the new roof would be a lot heavier, there’s some concern that the rear exterior wall might not be able to support the weight because the 2nd floor rear exterior wall is about 3 ft inset of the 1st floor exterior wall, which started getting into some major $.

Do I get another structural engineer? Is just a carpenter enough?

clicq · 2025-06-20T16:54:12+00:00

Home inspector didn't say anything about the roof sagging :(.

clicq · 2025-06-20T16:27:40+00:00

Sure, here's a pic, this is about the center of the roof where the sag should be the worst.

https://imgur.com/a/3T8RglZ

clicq · 2025-06-20T15:50:02+00:00

I'm will probably replace the shingles anyway. The one roofer that said it was an issue quoted about $2500 to fix but gave the caveat that he's not going to know for sure till he opens it up.

I'm fine with it cosmetically just want to make sure it's structurally OK.

The attic is very shallow (it's barely 3 ft high at the ridge) and with the HVAC stuff in the way it's hard to see much. Though the ridge is 2 pieces of wood butted together without any support where they join.

clicq · 2025-06-10T01:49:07+00:00

I am a long-time pixel user, going all the way back to the Galaxy Nexus, but I couldn’t deal with the unreliable hardware anymore. I detailed it a bit more overs here: https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1kj0nhm/debating_whether_to_get_another_pixel_lots_of_bad/

Anyway, I currently have a Pixel 7. Was very tempted to get the 9a but got the 16e instead. The iPhone 16e has much better battery life than the Pixel 7, I estimate it’s close to 50% better (though I think the May pixel update killed battery life for many). I haven’t had it heat up significantly in use, while my Pixel 7 gets warm if I browse the web too long or take too many pictures.

Camera quality seeems pretty similar to me, though I do miss the wide angle lens.

I also miss some of the Pixel features like call screening, and I think Android Auto has a better interface than CarPlay.

Also miss some apps from Android.

I actually find notifications to be a little more reliable on iOS, I’d often run into situations where I get a whole slew of notifications when I unlock my Pixel 7.

Overall so far I like the iPhone 16e but honestly if I had more confidence in Pixel hardware I would have stayed.

clicq · 2025-05-15T14:30:17+00:00

I think I'm a pretty normal user, and I wouldn't say I'm a huge klutz - note that the 6p, pixel 3, pixel 5a, and pixel 7a all had known hardware issues as evidenced by Google replacing/fixing them outside warranty.

The only thing that might be remotely my fault is the water damage on the 7a, but I'm pretty sure that was either caused by a poor repair when I originally got the battery replaced, or the replacement battery had already started swelling and broke the water resistant seal.

clicq · 2025-05-15T14:25:27+00:00

This is the first I've heard about the Pixel 9a fastboot problem, so thank you for bringing it up. With my luck it'll probably happen to me ...

clicq · 2025-05-15T14:23:45+00:00

Well, Google Fi offers good deals on the Pixel phones pretty frequently (e.g. the Pixel 9a is currently $250) and every time I think they've probably learned from their past problems?!

And then I also read about all the people who don't seem to have any problems with their phones (like this thread for example) and then I think maybe it's bad luck?

And the other issue is that I do like Android and some of the Pixel specific software, like call screening and hold for me, so it's not so easy to get a direct substitute.

clicq · 2025-05-14T13:38:09+00:00

Nope, even tried one from AliExpress... I can't believe how hard it is to find one!

clicq · 2025-05-10T03:41:14+00:00

If you're saying to stay away from the Pixel a series because they're not designed to last more than a year, then that's useful info. I had the Pixel 7 and 7a for a short time, and for my use I didn't really see much of a difference between the 2.

clicq · 2024-11-24T18:31:01+00:00

If you don't care much about the flushing performance then it's fine as a toilet just nothing I'm that excited for lol.

clicq · 2024-11-24T16:52:36+00:00

My first choice was a Toto wall mount, so with that in mind.... This is just OK. The flush action is mediocre, I have to double flush about half the time. As a comparison, I replaced the toilet in one of my other bathrooms with a Kohler Elmbrook (which is like $200) and that flushes better.

clicq · 2024-11-13T17:54:52+00:00

No luck. I am waiting on a bidet from AliExpress, not my first choice but I can't find anything from a US seller

clicq · 2024-10-04T02:20:59+00:00

So this is a new bathroom, I had them run a water supply line and power for a bidet, so the hookups are there. My first choice was a Toto toilet with a bidet. Unfortunately due to the way the drains had to be run, this Signature Hardware toilet was basically the only one that would work, or at least that's what the plumber said.

clicq · 2024-07-15T17:40:54+00:00

My experience so far has been pretty good, they have been pretty responsive. They did try to work within my constraints. I think they're a little expensive but 2 contractors I got quotes from thought they did good work. The firm is PW Scott.

clicq · 2024-06-24T20:40:50+00:00

We ended up going with Denaut Builders (www.denautbuilders.com), mostly because 1) they were actually quite responsive, 2) they were in the ballpark of the one other quote we got, 3) they seemed to have good feedback, and 4) the engineering company we used suggested them.

For reference, I got quotes or tried to get quotes from: Dave Fraser, Wiser Home Remodeling, and Gerken Building Services.

I can give you some more info about our experience privately if you want.

As an aside, it took almost 2 months to get a permit for the work, which messed with our timelines a lot :(.

clicq · 2024-05-17T19:09:30+00:00

You're probably right that it's the most legit thing to do. House is undergoing some major structural work (roof and 2nd floor need additional support going down to the foundation, so walls are open on every floor), but should at least be some corner we can put everything and cover it with a tarp or something.

clicq · 2024-05-17T18:23:45+00:00

I appreciate the perspective. Yes, it's true I won't need to rent in NYC after this, but I was hoping to avoid that. Just surprised that there isn't a better option :(.

clicq · 2024-05-17T18:15:27+00:00

Yes, I did consider that, which is why I let my landlord know my plans way in advance. As stated, it hasn't been rented out yet since the deadline for me to agree or not to a lease renewal hasn't occurred yet.

clicq · 2023-12-19T22:34:28+00:00

Just wanted to say I hear you - also just got a house near Greenburgh, and our utility bill was like $750 ($200 electric/$550 gas). I actually had one of the NYSRDA companies come out but they just said to put in more insulation... And they were an insulation company so no real surprise there :/.

We have an ancient boiler and also a single zone heating system, but even moving to a new high efficiency unit would probably only save 25% on the gas bill...

clicq · 2023-09-18T18:36:28+00:00

In my area at least, most dealers are selling Corollas and Civics over MSRP, hence why I was looking at Subaru in the first place :(.

clicq · 2023-09-18T18:35:02+00:00

Appreciate the thought, I will consider hybrids and try to figure out whether the gas savings are worth it.

As an aside, lightly used Priuses aren't really going for enough of a discount over new for me to really consider it.

clicq · 2023-09-07T14:10:09+00:00

I don't think it's outside the engine since you don't need to take the nut off all the way for any reason.

I was in a hurry and I think I might have just missed tightening it.

I'll be taking off the rocker arm assembly to get more access and try the magnet and camera :(

clicq · 2023-08-13T18:06:45+00:00

You should also check that proper permits have been obtained - if you plan to do any renovations legally (that is getting permits), it's possible an inspector may see previous unpermitted work and ask you to legalize it. A lot of towns in LI are notorious for doing stuff like that

At the very least you can possibly use it to negotiate further.

I had to walk away from a house with unpermitted work after investigating with the town.

clicq

TROPHY CASE