Tips For Troubleshooting Your Home Alarm System In Decatur
System glitches and false alarms can be frustrating, and even worse, may prevent your home’s security from working the way it should. Luckily, most issues, from dead batteries to false alarms, are easy to fix. Explore our recommendations for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Decatur. We’ll help you keep your household shielded and your system operating the way it should.
Test Your Home Security System In Decatur
One of the best ways to troubleshoot your property’s defense is to test it! Modern systems let you place them in test mode to prevent you from prompting an emergency response. Once in test mode, take these steps:
- Activate your system as you would when going out.
- Open a door or window that uses a contact sensor, or try to trip another device. Shut the door or window once you’re done so it doesn’t prompt the alarm when you leave test mode.
- Allow the alarm to sound for 60 seconds to make sure a transmission is delivered to the security company and an entry is created in the alarm activity log.
- Proceed to test devices as needed
- Check the systems’s activity log to confirm proper function.
No need to worry, monitoring agents will be aware that your alarm system is undergoing a test. Be sure to switch out of test mode when you’re done. It’s wise to test monthly or anytime you adjust your home’s internet or phone connectivity.
Check The Position And State Of Motion Detectors
Although an crucial element of your alarm system, motion sensors are well known for false alarms. You can help prevent them with a few simple troubleshooting steps.
- Do a visual inspection. Are there objects that could shift within the detection path of the sensor, like a window treatment taken by a breeze?
- Is the sensor clean? Dirt, cobwebs, and debris can result in poor performance. Make sure the device is clean.
- Does the motion detector have pet immunity you can enable? Some can be set to disregard pets up to 100 pounds.
- When was the battery replaced? Low batteries might impact performance or result in false alarms.
- Is a heat source affecting the sensor? Too much heat from sunlight or a fireplace can trigger an alarm.
Keep Batteries On Hand And Watch Out For Low Battery Warnings
One of the great aspects of the latest home security systems is that they’ll alert you when batteries are dying. If your system has a control panel or app, you’ll typically find messages there. Depending on the alarm, you might detect an intermittent beep when batteries are running out.
Contact sensors, motion detectors, smoke detectors, and other wireless devices have batteries that will have to be replaced every 1 to 2 years. It’s wise to keep batteries around and set a replacement schedule. Some systems also include a backup battery for the primary control panel. This backup battery keeps your system functioning if your power goes out and should recharge itself once the electricity is working again. If it fails to recharge, you will have to replace it.
Troubleshooting Is Effortless With ADT Home Security In Decatur
As the leading name in home security, ADT builds systems that supply superior functionality and protection. Accessing test mode is straightforward through the ADT+ app or MyADT.com, and you’ll always get notifications when a battery is low. Get in touch with Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to find out more and design a system perfectly suited to your Decatur home. Call (256) 246-8823 or submit our form today!