Categories

System hiccups and false alarms can be aggravating, and even worse, could prevent your home’s security from working the way it should. Fortunately, most issues, from dead batteries to false alarms, are straightforward to fix. Check out our suggestions for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Charlottesville. We’ll help you keep your family members safeguarded and your system running smoothly.

Test Your Home Security System In Charlottesville

One great way to troubleshoot your property’s security is to test it yourself! Newer systems have a test mode so you don’t accidentally trigger an emergency response from monitoring agents. After moving to test mode, take these steps:

• Activate your system as you normally would when you exit your home.
• Open a door or window that uses a contact sensor, or try to trigger something else. Shut the window or door once you’re finished so it doesn’t trigger the alarm when you leave test mode.
• Permit the alarm to sound for 60 seconds to make sure a signal is delivered to the security company and an entry is created in the alarm system log.
• Continue testing devices as needed
• Inspect the system activity log to verify that everything’s working.

Don’t worry, monitoring specialists can see that your system is undergoing a test. Be sure to switch out of test mode when you’re done. It’s smart to test once a month or whenever you adjust your home’s phone or internet provider.

Inspect The Placement And State Of Motion Sensors

Although an essential element of your alarm system, motion sensors are notorious for false alarms. Do your part to prevent them with a few straightforward troubleshooting steps.

• Conduct a visual inspection. Are there things that could move within the path of the sensor, like a window treatment caught in a breeze?
• Is the sensor clean? Grime, dirt, and cobwebs can lead to malfunctions. Check to confirm the device is clean.
• Does the motion detector come with pet immunity you can turn on? Some models can be programmed to disregard pets weighing up to 100 pounds.
• When was the battery last replaced? A nearly depleted battery can impact performance or lead to false alarms.
• Is a heat source affecting the sensor? Excess heat from direct sun or a fireplace can set off an alarm.

Keep Batteries Ready And Look Out For Low Battery Warnings

One helpful perk of new home security systems is that they’ll alert you when batteries are getting low. If your system is equipped with a mobile app or control panel, you’ll often find alerts there. Depending on your system, you could notice an intermittent beep when batteries are getting low. 

Motion sensors, contact sensors, smoke detectors, and other wireless devices have batteries that will have to be replaced every year or two. It’s a good idea to keep batteries on hand and establish a replacement schedule. Some systems also include a rechargeable backup battery for the primary control panel. This backup keeps your system running if you have a power outage and should recharge once the electricity is working again. If it fails to recharge, you will have to replace it.

Troubleshooting Is Simple With ADT Home Security In Charlottesville 

As the foremost name in home security, ADT builds systems that provide superior functionality and protection. Switching to test mode is straightforward through the ADT+ app or MyADT.com, and you’ll always be sent notifications when a sensor battery is low. Contact Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to learn more and design a system ideal for your Charlottesville home and family. Dial (434) 214-6134 or submit our form today!