Securing a vacant house

[DiscoJen]

Even though I said I didn't want to move anytime soon because I enjoyed owning my house outright and no mortgage, it looks as though I am moving.

I'm not sure if I'm gonna rent or sell, but in either case there is a possibility that my house may be vacant for a little while. Anywhere in St. Louis, if your house is vacant, the scent of copper is strong amongst thieves. I need to secure the house and want to make sure I'm covering all my bases.

All of the windows on the main floor that are fairly accessible have burglar bars on them and storm windows. The front two windows are very high off the ground due to the slope of the yard, they do not have bars but I feel they are pretty safe. There are a few basement windows that are at ground level and they only have those cheapo interior sliding burglar bars that screw into the window frames. The back sunroom has a cellar door type of basement entrance, as well.

I have the new central air unit outside and a new furnace & A-coil in the basement. The basement has all the copper plumbing and wiring exposed.

What are some good options to make sure I've got everything protected outside of removing it all? I have a cellular based alarm system with wireless components on the 3 doors. One of these could probably be moved to cover another area...maybe the cellar door since that is where a crook would probably want to access?

Any ideas are, as always, appreciated!

 

[Drillbit]

You have a fence right? Go get a few big ugly dogs from the shelter and leave them in the yard

 

[flyfisher11]

Screw all the doors and windows shut with long deck screws. Doubtful the thief will have his dewalt handy.

 

[ratboy]

hook the fuse box to the pipes.

 

[discopedro]

Tigers! No one wants to deal with tigers!

 

[Ballah06]

Is the alarm ADT type or just something that would alert you only to the break in? Depending on the cost, have you looked into a camera setup, something you could possibly monitor online?

 

[jhmover]

Land Mines!

 

[Ballah06]

http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/tattletale7t-tattletale-baseunit.html

 

[ratboy]

Tigers! No one wants to deal with tigers!

:rofl::smilelol::rofl2::lolol:

 

[ratboy]

fawk, im still laughing....

 

[peter sherman]

Will your insurance co insure a vacant house?

 

[az_max]

I'd say it's going to be hard to protect it, especially in Da Lou. I think a renter would be the best bet. Keep the electricity on and set up lights on timers. Keep the shades drawn so no one can see in, and keep the newspapers and fliers from building up. maybe hire a neighbor kid to pick up daily.

 

[ratboy]

i have been using the tattletale alarm as well as screwing everything except the front door shut. seems to work in the not so nice part of my town. and yes, the crackheads can smell copper pipe from 1500 meters. altho.....now im thinking tigers

 

[discopedro]

Maybe some quarantine signs? Pick your disease.

 

[DiscoJen]

I like the tiger idea, too! And electrification is always in order...if it wouldn't land me in jail! LOL

The alarm system is monitored and would call me & the police if activated. Heck, that Tattletale alarm unit costs 4% of the entire purchase price of my home!!!

Most folks around here put up plywood and it gets yanked off fairly easily. But I guess very long screws would be a little bit of a deterrent around the basement windows and it wouldn't look too bad or obvious with only the basement boarded up.

Worse part is, my yard is almost 100% privacy fenced, so the neighbors wouldn't even know if someone was yanking copper. I'm pretty sure my new insurance covers the house if it's vacant, but that is a damn good point to bring up. I will cal my agent tomorrow and confirm.

 

[DiscoJen]

Oh yeah, I'd probably keep my Disco and camper tent parked out front, too. So it would a little more occupied.

 

[KevinNY]

Motion lights and a tape of a big ass barking dog.

 

[JohnK]

Even though I said I didn't want to move anytime soon because I enjoyed owning my house outright and no mortgage, it looks as though I am moving.

Where are you moving to?

 

[crown14]

Leave it unlocked, with a gas can and lighters everywhere. Or, better yet, do it up like a haunted house inside, with shit that will pop out of the dark and scare the piss out of crackheads.





Now that I think about it, get some real spring loaded bear traps and throw a sheet over them after you set them. Make sure the phone service isnt disconnected, that way the burglars can call 911 for help.

 

[Ballah06]

With the windows being covered with plywood, that just screams vacant house to me. I dont know if it would be better to have the bars on windows the the timer for the lights and emptying out the mailbox on regular occasions (just as mentioned earlier). At least that way it looks occupied to an "opportunist" casing a neighborhood.