Tips For Troubleshooting Your Home Alarm System In Des Moines
False alarms and system hiccups can be aggravating, and even worse, could prevent your home’s security from working the way it should. Thankfully, most troubles, from false alarms to dead batteries, are straightforward to fix. Explore our recommendations for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Des Moines. We’ll help you keep your family protected and your system operating properly.
Test Your Home Security System In Des Moines
One of the most sensible ways to troubleshoot your home’s security is to test it yourself! Modern systems allow you to put them in test mode to avoid initiating an emergency call. After moving to test mode, follow these steps:
- Activate your system as you normally would when you leave.
- Open a door or window protected by a contact sensor, or try to trip something else. Shut the door or window so it doesn’t trip the alarm when you switch the system back on.
- Allow the alarm to resonate for 60 seconds to ensure communications with the security company and to create an entry in the alarm activity log.
- Continue testing devices as you wish
- Inspect the systems’s activity log to verify functionality.
No need to worry, monitoring specialists can tell that your alarm system is being tested. Be sure to switch off test mode when you’re done. It’s wise to test every other month or whenever you adjust your home’s internet or phone provider.
Check The Positioning And Condition Of Motion Sensors
Although an integral part of your alarm system, motion detectors are notorious for false alarms. Do your part to prevent them with a few straightforward troubleshooting steps.
- Do a physical inspection. Is there something that could move within the path of the sensor, like drapery taken by a breeze?
- Is the sensor covered in dust? Dirt, cobwebs, and debris can lead to poor performance. Ensure 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 last replaced? Low batteries can impact performance or cause false alarms.
- Is a heat source impairing the sensor? Excess heat from sunlight or a fireplace can set off an alarm.
Keep Batteries On Hand And Pay Attention To Low Battery Notifications
One of the great aspects of the latest home security systems is that they’ll notify you when batteries are running low. If your system is equipped with a app or control panel, you’ll usually find messages there. Depending on the alarm, you may hear an intermittent beep when batteries are low.
Contact sensors, smoke detectors, motion sensors, and other wireless tools have batteries that will have to be replaced every so often. It’s a good idea to keep batteries around and create a replacement schedule. Some systems also come with a rechargeable backup battery for the main control panel. This battery helps keep your system operating if you have a power outage and should recharge itself once the electricity is working again. If it fails to recharge, you should replace it.
Troubleshooting Is Simple With ADT Home Security In Des Moines
As the foremost name in home security, ADT builds systems that provide superior functionality and convenience. Switching to test mode is simple through MyADT.com or the ADT+ app, and you’ll always get updates when a sensor battery is nearing depletion. Get in touch with Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to learn more and design a system perfectly suited to your Des Moines home and family. Dial (515) 212-6493 or complete our form today!