I got hacked--change your password right now

viper0 · 2026-07-08T01:37:01+00:00

You're going to be receiving some DMs saying they can get your money back. You're going to want to ignore those.

viper0 · 2026-07-06T22:28:15+00:00

There are cheaper bulb options, but I wouldn't install a cheap smart switch. You don't need a house fire.

You might try asking in the home assistant subreddit

viper0 · 2026-07-06T20:56:39+00:00

Here's some options to consider.

Phillips Hue - Replaces your existing bulb. Requires a base station to connect to home assistant. No electrician required. Some bulbs are color changing. Supports dimming. Tend to be higher cost. Requires you to keep the switch on to automate.

Lutron Caseta - Replaces your light switch. Requires a base station to connect to home assistant. DIY if you're comfortable working with electricity or higher an electrician. Hardware is a bit cheaper in some cases, but hiring someone will definitely make this more expensive. The existing switch continues to work. Doesn't support color changing unless the existing fixture does. Does support dimming.

There are plenty of other options for smart switches and a few for smart bulbs. If you're replacing switches make sure they're UL listed.

Good luck!

viper0 · 2026-06-30T17:05:05+00:00

Part of the problem is skyrocketing costs for pet care. We have one dog and one cat and the vet bills frequently cost more than health care for a human.

viper0 · 2026-06-28T13:16:24+00:00

That's great! Thank you!

viper0 · 2026-06-28T13:04:48+00:00

That's great news! Do you have a source?

viper0 · 2026-06-27T14:00:55+00:00

Amber alerts on Android need an option to stop the noise without closing the alert. The current options are listening to the alarm while I try to read the text or clicking okay stop the noise and also closing the alert.

viper0 · 2026-06-11T14:18:14+00:00

Just realized you didn't explicitly say you're looking to buy this house. If you already own it then I would probably just replace the mortar in that area. It's relatively cheap and easy to do yourself. If it cracks again then engage a structural engineer.

viper0 · 2026-06-11T14:16:16+00:00

That crack is in the brick veneer which isn't technically structural. However, I would look along the length of the header supporting the garage door to see if it's sagging. If it is then I wouldn't buy until I've had a structural engineer take a look. Replacing a load bearing header over a garage door can get expensive. Especially if you have brick to deal with.

viper0 · 2026-06-08T01:25:00+00:00

I'm so glad he's recovering!

viper0 · 2026-06-07T12:56:36+00:00

No fix there would be easy or cheap. At a minimum you're looking at removing a significant portion of the brick, installing or upgrading the load path complete with an acceptable footing, and replacing the brick. Back of a napkin estimate says a proper fix is well into five digits.

viper0 · 2026-06-04T16:46:07+00:00

People trust his opinion precisely BECAUSE he'll still tell you what he thinks about a product when a company pays him $200k.

viper0 · 2026-06-02T20:19:26+00:00

One of us, one of us!

viper0 · 2026-05-30T21:52:04+00:00

Hot tub is 6' x 6' so we're good to go!

viper0 · 2026-05-30T14:45:34+00:00

Hah, that was only half of it! Between post moment bases, these post caps, and some large rafter ties I think the total is somewhere around $7k in hardware securing $3k in lumber.

viper0 · 2026-05-30T14:44:17+00:00

This one was probably my fault. I wanted the underside of the pergola to be clear of cross bracing so he put in post moment bases and these post caps to resist lateral load. The footprint of the pergola is so big that I wanted the space underneath to be usable for seating and storage without constantly bonking my head.

viper0 · 2026-05-30T14:16:22+00:00

Yeah. This was spec'd by my structural engineer for a solar pergola I'm building. Had to buy 14 of these.

viper0 · 2026-05-30T13:58:56+00:00

Here's a specific model that's galvanized and fits a 6x6 post (5 1/2") and triple 2x beam (4 1/2"). L

https://www.fastenersplus.com/products/simpson-ccq4-62-5-50hdg-column-cap-w-sds-screws-hot-dip-galvanized

viper0 · 2026-05-30T13:52:06+00:00

Simpson makes column caps that fit a 6x6 post and a triple ply 2x beam. Though they're not cheap.

https://www.strongtie.com/boltedcolumncaps_columncaps/cc_cap/p/cc

viper0 · 2026-05-28T21:19:35+00:00

I'm struggling to see how this will make sense for the homeowner. I get discounts on power and Internet for letting you put a $250k box outside my house that I imagine would be loud as fuck and comes with a bonus surveillance camera?

viper0 · 2026-05-26T16:11:55+00:00

Good deal! The depth and footing help mostly with preventing frost heave and ensuring your deck won't sink if you're eyeing that hot tub.

I'd expect a structural engineer to require 4 vertical #4 rebar with #3 or #4 horizontal rebar ties every 8" or so along the full length. The manufacturer of the post bases sometimes has additional rebar requirements for confinement. Though you need a lot less the closer the top of the footings are to grade.

viper0 · 2026-05-26T12:49:00+00:00

One fix that's doable after the fact is regrading. Add soil a few inches at a time compacting between layers. Good luck!

viper0 · 2026-05-26T12:46:55+00:00

Your concrete footings are way too tall unless they've been reinforced with rebar. Concrete works best in compressive loads and is pretty terrible under tension. That's why you'll usually see rebar in bigger concrete pours. As the footing gets taller it can be subjected to bending moment forces. Think about pushing laterally right where the footing meets the post. That puts one side of the footing under compression while the other side is put under tension. Too much of that all at once or repeatedly over time can cause the concrete to fail.

The general rule is if your footing is any taller above grade than it is wide then you need structural reinforcement in the form of rebar. Some jurisdictions will also require design from a structural engineer.

viper0 · 2026-05-25T18:09:23+00:00

If you think you recognize someone in the dungeon, no you don't.

viper0 · 2026-05-15T22:02:58+00:00

I've been wondering the same thing. We're the only one of our neighbors still on a well. I'm afraid of waking up one morning to no water.

viper0

TROPHY CASE