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System malfunctions and false alarms can be frustrating, and more importantly, may prevent your home’s security from working how it should. Thankfully, most issues, from dead batteries to false alarms, are straightforward to correct. Check out our suggestions for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Columbia. We’ll help keep your family members protected and your system running as it should.

Test Your Home Security System In Columbia

One of the most sensible ways to troubleshoot your home’s security is to test it yourself! Newer systems allow you to put them in test mode to avoid prompting an emergency response. After moving to test mode, do the following:

• Activate your system as you would when leaving.
• Open a door or window that has a contact sensor, or try to set off another device. Shut the window or door so it doesn’t prompt the alarm when you switch the system back on.
• Permit the alarm to resonate for 60 seconds to ensure communications with the security provider and to make an entry in the alarm system log.
• Proceed to test equipment as you wish
• Review the system activity log to validate that everything’s working.

No need to worry, monitoring agents will be aware that your system is involved in a test. Be sure to switch off test mode when done. It’s wise to test every other month or whenever you adjust your home’s internet or phone connectivity.

Inspect The Position And State Of Motion Detectors

Although an crucial part of your alarm system, motion detectors are prone to false alarms. Prevent them with some basic troubleshooting.

• Do a visual inspection. Is there something that could move within the sensor’s detection zone, like a window treatment blown in a breeze?
• Is the sensor dirty? Cobwebs, dirt, and grime can result in poor performance. Make sure the device is clean.
• Does the motion detector come with pet immunity you can turn on? Some can be set to disregard pets weighing as much as 100 pounds.
• When was the battery changed? A nearly depleted battery may affect performance or result in false alarms.
• Is the sensor pointing toward a source of heat? Excess heat from sunlight or a fireplace can set off an alarm.

Keep Batteries On Hand And Look Out For Low Battery Notifications

One helpful aspect of modern home security systems is that they’ll notify you when batteries are getting low. If your system has a control panel or app, you’ll usually discover notifications there. Depending on your alarm, you may hear an intermittent beep when batteries are low. 

Motion sensors, contact sensors, smoke detectors, and other wireless components have batteries that need to be replaced every so often. It’s wise to keep batteries on hand and establish a replacement schedule. Many systems also include a rechargeable backup battery for the primary control panel. This battery keeps your system functioning if you have a power outage and should recharge itself once power is restored. If it fails to recharge, you should replace it.

Troubleshooting Is Easy With ADT Home Security In Columbia 

As the leading name in home security, ADT designs systems that provide superior functionality and convenience. Accessing test mode is simple through MyADT.com or the ADT+ app, and you’ll always be sent alerts when a sensor battery is nearing depletion. Get in touch with Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to get more details and design a system perfect for your Columbia home and family. Dial (803) 380-6011 or submit our form today!