{"id":5953,"date":"2015-09-04T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-04T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/?p=5953"},"modified":"2024-02-15T12:58:09","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T17:58:09","slug":"use-technology-to-protect-your-empty-summer-cottage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/use-technology-to-protect-your-empty-summer-cottage\/","title":{"rendered":"Use Technology to Protect Your Empty Summer Cottage"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the end of summer just around the corner, now is a good time to think about protecting your empty summer cottage from the threats of winter. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Damage from freezing pipes, floods, burglars and pests are big concerns for every vacation homeowner.<\/strong> \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Fortunately, technology is on your side when it comes to safeguarding your vacant vacation home. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0These days there’s a range of home protection devices that are affordable and easy to install. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Here are some of our favorite gadgets you can use to protect your summer cottage throughout the long winter.\"Protect<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Concern:<\/strong> \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Freezing Pipes<\/h4>\n

Solution:<\/strong>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Cellular Freeze Alarm that Sends Email, Text or Voice Alerts<\/h4>\n

A freeze alarm<\/a><\/strong>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0monitors the temperature inside your home and sends out a warning to you if the temperature drops dangerously low \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u20ac\u009d before your pipes freeze and burst. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0A cellular freeze alarm<\/a><\/strong> uses a cellular telephone signal to send out alerts, so it’s a great solution for vacation homes without landline phone or Internet service in the off-season. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0If you are looking for a full-featured and reasonable priced cellular freeze alarm, we recommend the\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0MarCELL Cellular Connected Monitoring System<\/strong><\/a>. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0It sends text message, email or voice alerts and operates on the Verizon Wireless network, the largest in the country. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Cost is under $250.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Concern:<\/strong>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Burglaries<\/h4>\n

Solution:<\/strong> \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Easy-to-Install DIY Home Security System<\/h4>\n

\"SkylinkNet<\/a>Protect your summer home against break-ins for under $150 with the\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0SkylinkNet Connected Alarm System<\/a><\/strong>. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Designed for do-it-yourselfers, the cloud-based SkylinkNet is simple to install and easy to expand. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0The\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0starter kit comes with an\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Internet hub that you can control remotely from your Android or iOS smartphone or tablet;\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0two window\/door sensors; one\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0motion sensor;\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0keychain remote control; and\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Ethernet cable. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Add up\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0100 different sensors and 10 wireless security cameras. You can also add Skylink\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s external dialer<\/strong><\/a>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0so\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0if the Internet goes down, the hub can use a landline phone to call one of nine programmed cell numbers as another back-up.<\/p>\n

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Concern:<\/strong>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Plumbing Failures<\/h4>\n

Solution:<\/strong> \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Automatic Water Main Shutoff Valve<\/h4>\n

Water leaks<\/a>\"The<\/a><\/strong> from plumbing problems can destroy walls, flooring and furniture, as well as personal items that can\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t be replaced. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0An automatic water main shutoff system (or \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cwhole house water shutoff valve\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d) like the Valve Screamer Motorized Valve Auto Shut Off<\/strong><\/a>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0stops flooding by closing a motorized valve on the water main when a wired sensor pad detects moisture, before damage is done. If down the road you want a wireless<\/em> whole house system, the Valve Screamer can be upgraded by adding the compatible Flood Screamer<\/a><\/strong>, which can be used to monitor for non-plumbing water problems as well, like a leaky roof. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0For less than $200, the Valve Screamer is invaluable protection for unoccupied homes.<\/p>\n

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Concern:<\/strong> \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Rodents<\/h4>\n

Solution:<\/strong>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Environmentally-Safe Pest Deterrent<\/h4>\n

\"P3<\/a>Rodents seeking warmth and food and are a common problem during the winter months. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0The Attack Wave Pestrepeller\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2<\/a>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>drives destructive rodents out of your house the safe way,\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0without pesticides or traps. This effective, environmentally-safe device produces strong sound pressure in the air that attacks the auditory and nervous systems of rodents, causing them to abandon their food sources and shelters. Priced just under $30.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Concern:<\/strong> \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Trespassers<\/h4>\n

Solution:<\/strong>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Solar-Powered Motion Sensitive Floodlights<\/h4>\n

\"Maxsa<\/a>One of the best ways to scare trespassers away is with powerful outdoor floodlights that turn on instantly when movement is detected. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0We recommend the solar-powered Maxsa Innovations Halogen Security Floodlights<\/a><\/strong>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0because they’re easy to install and require no electricity, so they can be set up anywhere. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Time, motion sensitivity and LUX (daylight sensitivity) are all adjustable. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Get a few Maxsa floodlights and position them around your house and yard strategically to illuminate walkways, driveways, garages and sheds. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Costs around $85.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Concern:<\/strong> \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Failed Sump Pump<\/h4>\n

Solution:<\/strong>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Cellular Sump Alarm that Alerts via Text Message<\/h4>\n

\"PumpAlarm<\/a>Many homes use sump pumps<\/a><\/strong> to keep basements dry and prevent flooding. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0But a sump pump won’t work if there\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s a power outage or a mechanical failure, so it\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s a good idea to add a sump pump alarm to your system. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0A sump pump alarm will\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0warn you when your sump pump’s not working so you or a serviceperson can intervene before your basement floods. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Priced at $220, the dual-sensor\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0PumpAlarm Cellular Water Alarm<\/a><\/strong>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0is one of the most affordable alarms you can buy. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0It communicates via a cellular connection, so you don’t need a landline phone or Internet, and it sends text message alerts to up to three cell phones if there’s a power outage or the water level in the sump pit is too high.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Better Safe than Sorry<\/h2>\n
\n

Regardless for how long your summer cottage will be closed up for the winter, it\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s always prudent take steps to protect your vacant house<\/a><\/strong> from mechanical failures, intruders and weather-related disasters. Even if you have a caretaker checking on your property, you can use technology to watch over things in between visits. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0For additional information on these and other devices to protect your vacation home when you\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2re not there, go to the diycontrols.com store<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the end of summer just around the corner, now is a good time to think about protecting your empty summer cottage from the threats of winter. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Damage from freezing pipes, floods, burglars and pests are big concerns for every vacation homeowner. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Fortunately, technology is… Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6034,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,10,9],"tags":[17,711,618,11,195,712,549,470,538,652,658],"class_list":["post-5953","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flood-intervention","category-freeze-alarms-heat-alarms","category-home-monitoring-security","tag-cellular-freeze-alarms","tag-diy-security-system","tag-electronic-pest-repeller","tag-freeze-alarms-2","tag-home-freeze-alarm","tag-pumpalarm-cellular-sump-pump-alarm","tag-solar-powered-floodlight","tag-sump-pump-alarms","tag-water-main-shutoff-valve","tag-whole-house-water-shutoff-systems","tag-wireless-security-systems","clearfix"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5953","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5953"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5953\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11460,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5953\/revisions\/11460"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5953"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5953"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5953"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}