Frozen Home Advice Request

secondcurve · 03-02-2015, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

This one:

http://www.amazon.com/Skylink-TS-101.../dp/B00106K2KG

Talk about terrible reviews! I'd stick with the Control Products freeze alarm I use. Simple, cheap and lots of great reviews.

Neko · 03-02-2015, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Talk about terrible reviews! I'd stick with the Control Products freeze alarm I use. Simple, cheap and lots of great reviews.

I also use Freeze alarm in both of my homes.

8gv · 03-02-2015, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Talk about terrible reviews! I'd stick with the Control Products freeze alarm I use. Simple, cheap and lots of great reviews.

Had I read the reviews prior to purchase I would have bought a different one.

It seems to work ok so far.

upthesaukee · 03-02-2015, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

Had I read the reviews prior to purchase I would have bought a different one.

It seems to work ok so far.

Five reviews, and I think they were from 2009-2011. Perhaps they got their act together over the last 4 years or so.

Jersey Ed · 03-02-2015, 01:39 PM

I have been using the above mentioned "intermediate freeze alarm". for several years now. I first learned of it a number of years ago while lurking THIS VERY FORUM and couldn't be happier with the product. I use it in my second home in upstate New York which I keep heated all year long. Several points that have not been mentioned yet about the alarm:: you set the "alarm" conditions as you want them. Set the temp that you want to set-off the alarm [hi or low temp] Amount of time the power to the house has been off before the alarm is triggered and the condition of the back-up battery. You can call the unit as many times a day as you want to and you can change any of your settings from any other phone, you do not have to be at the unit location to make changes.

Kamper · 03-03-2015, 06:52 AM

Tell them don't throw anything away until they call their insurance agent. This job is likely to total way above the deductible if they have the coverage.

Good luck!

8gv · 03-03-2015, 02:48 PM

At the moment I think he's planning on eating the expense. Between the plumber and the toilets he should be above the deductible now. To me the real danger in eating it comes from finding out later that there is a leak in a wall. Tearing up the house to get it and the possibility of mold abatement could get costly.

fatlazyless · 03-07-2015, 01:26 PM

For about 12.49 (9v battery not included) the Lowe's in Gilford sells a small water leak detector that's about the size of two packs of cigarettes, powered by a 9v battery and makes a 105-db alarm that sounds for three days or so. It has two metal contacts on the bottom which are designed to be placed onto a carpet.

Located in the back of the Lowe's in Gilford in the water pump area....seems like a good item...

8gv · 03-07-2015, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

For about 12.49 (9v battery not included) the Lowe's in Gilford sells a small water leak detector that's about the size of two packs of cigarettes, powered by a 9v battery and makes a 105-db alarm that sounds for three days or so. It has two metal contacts on the bottom which are designed to be placed onto a carpet.

Located in the back of the Lowe's in Gilford in the water pump area....seems like a good item...

Ya but, once it starts ringing, isn't it a bit late to drain the swamp?

Kamper · 03-08-2015, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

Ya but, ... ?

These are good if you have someone who checks your house. Not all leaks are geysers and may not be noticeable to somebody rushing through the house in the rubber shoes.

8gv · 03-08-2015, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamper

These are good if you have someone who checks your house. Not all leaks are geysers and may not be noticeable to somebody rushing through the house in the rubber shoes.

That's a good point. I was thinking in terms of catching the house before it freezes. The product FLL suggests would alert me to other types of leaks that could go unnoticed.

Thanks FLL!

upthesaukee · 03-08-2015, 06:35 PM

My folks had a light bulb fixture plugged into a wall socket. The bulb in the fixture was bright red. The fixture had a temperature sensor in it that caused the lamp to come on if temp went below 40 degrees (I think). It hung in the front window. All the neighbors on the street had their phone number and knew where the hidden key was kept.

If the light went on, they could go inside, make sure the furnace was ok, check the outside tank for oil, and if the heater could not be reset or restarted, they would call Dad and let him know.

Only happened once or twice, I know once because the oil tank ran dry. Never any damage thanks to good neighbors watching out for neighbors. they can sure help that damage like OP spoke of does not happen,.

SIKSUKR · 03-10-2015, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

My folks had a light bulb fixture plugged into a wall socket. The bulb in the fixture was bright red. The fixture had a temperature sensor in it that caused the lamp to come on if temp went below 40 degrees (I think). It hung in the front window. All the neighbors on the street had their phone number and knew where the hidden key was kept.

I have one of these in my ski house in Franconia.

TheProfessor · 03-10-2015, 07:45 PM

There are two internet based temperature sensors out there.
Will send you an email to you computer/pad and text message to your smart phone.

Not cheap. And you do need wifi internet on.

Do read the reviews on each.

Kamper · 03-10-2015, 08:46 PM

My new neighbors have one of those red-light thingies. For some reason it was on for a few days even though they, and many of their friends, were present. It must have been more serious than I thought because about 11 last night, the police came and evacuated them all in of those vans the Sherriff's department has.

03-07-2015, 01:26 PM	#8
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,849 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 303 Thanked 1,033 Times in 752 Posts	... $12.49 water leak alarm For about 12.49 (9v battery not included) the Lowe's in Gilford sells a small water leak detector that's about the size of two packs of cigarettes, powered by a 9v battery and makes a 105-db alarm that sounds for three days or so. It has two metal contacts on the bottom which are designed to be placed onto a carpet. Located in the back of the Lowe's in Gilford in the water pump area....seems like a good item...

03-08-2015, 06:35 PM	#12
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,607 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,984 Times in 1,084 Posts	Back in the 70's and early 80's... My folks had a light bulb fixture plugged into a wall socket. The bulb in the fixture was bright red. The fixture had a temperature sensor in it that caused the lamp to come on if temp went below 40 degrees (I think). It hung in the front window. All the neighbors on the street had their phone number and knew where the hidden key was kept. If the light went on, they could go inside, make sure the furnace was ok, check the outside tank for oil, and if the heater could not be reset or restarted, they would call Dad and let him know. Only happened once or twice, I know once because the oil tank ran dry. Never any damage thanks to good neighbors watching out for neighbors. they can sure help that damage like OP spoke of does not happen,. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

The Following User Says Thank You to 8gv For This Useful Post:
secondcurve (03-02-2015)

03-02-2015, 01:39 PM	#5
Jersey Ed Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 24 Thanks: 231 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I have been using the above mentioned "intermediate freeze alarm". for several years now. I first learned of it a number of years ago while lurking THIS VERY FORUM and couldn't be happier with the product. I use it in my second home in upstate New York which I keep heated all year long. Several points that have not been mentioned yet about the alarm:: you set the "alarm" conditions as you want them. Set the temp that you want to set-off the alarm [hi or low temp] Amount of time the power to the house has been off before the alarm is triggered and the condition of the back-up battery. You can call the unit as many times a day as you want to and you can change any of your settings from any other phone, you do not have to be at the unit location to make changes.

The Following User Says Thank You to Jersey Ed For This Useful Post:
secondcurve (03-02-2015)

03-03-2015, 06:52 AM	#6
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,309 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	Tell them don't throw anything away until they call their insurance agent. This job is likely to total way above the deductible if they have the coverage. Good luck!

03-03-2015, 02:48 PM	#7
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,121 Thanks: 64 Thanked 751 Times in 485 Posts	At the moment I think he's planning on eating the expense. Between the plumber and the toilets he should be above the deductible now. To me the real danger in eating it comes from finding out later that there is a leak in a wall. Tearing up the house to get it and the possibility of mold abatement could get costly.

The Following User Says Thank You to SIKSUKR For This Useful Post:
upthesaukee (03-10-2015)

03-10-2015, 07:45 PM	#14
TheProfessor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,142 Thanks: 17 Thanked 349 Times in 211 Posts	There are two internet based temperature sensors out there. Will send you an email to you computer/pad and text message to your smart phone. Not cheap. And you do need wifi internet on. Do read the reviews on each.

03-10-2015, 08:46 PM	#15
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,309 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	My new neighbors have one of those red-light thingies. For some reason it was on for a few days even though they, and many of their friends, were present. It must have been more serious than I thought because about 11 last night, the police came and evacuated them all in of those vans the Sherriff's department has.