No matter how long you've owned your home - whether it be 30 days or 30 years, you should have smoke detectors in all your living spaces. Smoke detectors are one of the most important features you have in your home, and if yours aren't working properly, you should get them checked out ASAP. Here at Mr. Electric of Atlanta, we make sure each of our clients has properly working smoke detectors in every room they should be in - your safety and health are our priority.
Mr. Electric of Atlanta wants to make sure you and your family are always safe from house fires. We offer a wide variety of services around your smoke detectors, so if you ever have any questions or concerns, you can call us at any time!
5 Common Smoke Detector Problems and How to Fix Them
Each year, about 350,000 homes experience a fire and those fires have claimed thousands of lives. Smoke detectors are one of the most important things your home has, and without them, you and your family's lives are at stake. They don't take much maintenance and they aren't tricky to figure out, so make sure you take a couple of minutes to make sure yours are installed and working properly!
There are some issues that people experience with their fire detectors, but here are the most common issues with smoke detectors and how you can fix them:
1. Battery replacement
One of the most common problems people face with their smoke detectors is old batteries. If you have old batteries in your smoke detectors, it can cause them to go off without there being a fire hazard. The batteries should be replaced at least once a year, but if they are so old that they are corroded and rusted, you should replace the entire unit.
2. Monthly testing
When it comes to fixing your smoke detector problems, one of the best things you can do is perform monthly testing. Not many people know that you should be testing them monthly, but you should be testing them each month - regardless of how old the batteries are.
3. Installing different types of smoke detectors
There are two types of smoke detectors: Photoelectric (detects smoldering flames) and Ionization (responsive to flaming fires). You should have one of each kind in your home to fully protect you and your family from fire hazards. Having at least one is okay, but having the combination of both is just an added layer of protection and will allow you to sleep better at night knowing your home is better protected and secured.
4. Replace old ones
Smoke detectors have been around for centuries, and if your home is older, the smoke detectors may be the original ones. When it comes to smoke detectors, they have advanced with the technology - meaning, if your smoke detectors are old and outdated, they should be completely replaced. Smoke detectors do have an expiration date, and they should be replaced every 8-10 years. If you aren't sure when yours were last replaced, it can never hurt to have a certified electrician from Mr. Electric of Atlanta come and check them out.
5. Incorrect installation
There is a proper place to install your smoke detectors, and if you install them in places like your bathrooms, kitchen, or air vents, they may go off more often than necessary. You want to install them in your hallways, your living or family rooms, and any other places that don't see a lot of steam or smoke.
