I've got a hardwired smoke detector that doesn't have a backup battery, and it won't stop chirping! I've cleaned it and vacuumed around it, but nothing seems to help. It's really driving me nuts, especially since I have two kids at home and one is already asleep. I know the detector is old - it was here when we bought the house about ten years ago. It also has a label saying, 'will not work during power outage,' so I'm pretty sure it doesn't have a backup battery. We have new SimpliSafe smoke detectors installed throughout the house, so I'm not worried about safety, but I need to figure out how to make this annoying chirping stop tonight. Any advice?
3 Answers
It sounds like your smoke detector has probably reached the end of its lifespan. Most hardwired alarms beep when they’re about ten years old, which is pretty normal for older units. Since you can't replace it right now, you might want to consider cutting the wires to silence it, as you already have other detectors. Just make sure to turn off the circuit breaker first before you mess with any wiring.
Honestly, are you sure it doesn’t have a backup battery? Sometimes there are hidden compartments. But if you can't find one and it's beeping, it might just be time to retire it.
Right? But if there's no way to access a battery and it says it won't work during an outage, I'd say it's a pretty safe bet it doesn't.
Have you checked for a sticker with the manufacturing date? Some detectors chirp until you take them out and throw them away. If it’s too old, replacing it is the best option, but you need to quiet it down first.
Yeah, it sounds like it has probably expired. And if you're not able to get to the store tonight, cutting the wires could be the way to go!
Just be super careful if you go that route! Wrapping the wire ends with electrical tape afterward is a good idea before turning the power back on.