From faulty electrical wiring to leaving a stove on, there are many causes of home fires. While you can prevent most of these issues, fires can develop without any forewarning. In this situation, it’s best to have a working smoke detector that alerts you immediately. While smoke detectors should last for years, it’s possible for them to occasionally malfunction. They might also run out of batteries. With a routine smoke detector inspection, you can have confidence that you and your family are safe.
How Often You Should Obtain a Smoke Detector Inspection
Your smoke detectors need to function properly to ensure everyone is safe in the event of a fire. Even though these systems can malfunction from time to time, they don’t require much maintenance. However, you should still obtain a smoke detector inspection from your local handyman company to rule out possible issues. The best option is to receive a smoke detector inspection every few months. At the very least, you should schedule an inspection once or twice each year.
If you have a battery-powered smoke detector, make sure someone changes the batteries once per year. Consider replacing the batteries when daylight savings time occurs. While handyman companies have the skills necessary to inspect any unit, you should have the system’s manual on hand.
Along with inspecting the unit, it’s also a good idea to dust and vacuum around the alarm. If too much dirt accumulates or insects get inside, the alarm might lose its efficacy. When you ask a local handyman to check the batteries, make sure there isn’t any corrosion. Ask the handyman to calibrate and test the alarm as well.
There are two types of smoke detectors that you might have in your home. The most common type is a battery-powered one. These systems come with batteries that invariably wear down over time. Make sure you never put old batteries in your smoke detectors. Whenever you replace the batteries, you should also check if the unit’s working.
The other type of smoke detector is a hardwired one. These units connect to your home’s electrical system, which means that they require less maintenance than battery-powered ones. Keep in mind, however, that most hardwired units contain backup batteries in the event of an outage. You’ll also need to regularly replace these batteries.
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Signs that Your Smoke Detector Is Malfunctioning
Even though smoke detectors are often reliable, it doesn’t take much for them to stop working properly. For example, you may need to replace the system’s batteries if the chirping sound from the alarm sounds faint. If a detector alerts you of smoke while you’re cooking, consider repositioning it away from your kitchen.
There are also times when smoke detectors provide false alarms. In this scenario, think about scheduling smoke detector inspections more often. When these systems turn on more frequently, the batteries drain faster.
What to Expect During a Smoke Detector Inspection
The smoke detector inspection process differs slightly with every handyman company. Before work begins, read the manufacturer instructions to make sure they don’t miss anything. The first step in the inspection process usually involves testing the alarm. Before your local handyman tests the alarm, warn anyone in your home of what’s about to happen. These alarms are usually loud and high-pitched.
Along with the batteries, handyman companies check each component to make sure everything’s working properly. When they replace batteries, they’ll press the smoke detector button. After holding the test button for a few seconds, a loud siren emits from the unit. If the siren works, they don’t need to do much else. However, you may not hear anything. In this case, your local handyman should replace the batteries.
During a smoke detector inspection, it’s also common for handymen to check the grates alongside the detector. Even if the unit is currently working, a buildup of dust might indicate future problems. The handyman you hire should identify this issue and get rid of anything that’s blocking the grates. Even if you replace the batteries with new ones, a detector won’t work properly with blocked grates.
Smoke detector inspections don’t take that long. However, it’s possible that you’ll need to replace the detector, which requires more work. If corrosion occurs or your unit is more than 10 years old, your handyman might recommend a full replacement.
Having well-running smoke detectors in your home is crucial for identifying a fire on time. If you’d like to know the status of your smoke detectors, call Teamwork Home Services for a smoke detector inspection.
