[1beautifuldaughter]

I have smoke detectors throughout my house in all the important places, My only complaint which I think is common is that they are too sensitive and go off just because you didn't pull your car out of the garage fast enough, or your wife is baking cookies. some are just battery operated.
But since I added an addition to my house 12 years ago, when the electrician wired as per code a hardwired detector in the new bedroom that is connected to one in the hall of the main house with battery backup they have been driving me nuts going off for no appear ant reason. The one in my bedroom was going off while I was sleeping and I tried new batteries and it would still go off at random times, I was thinking maybe there was some correlation to me starting my gto that day in the garage earlier and there was a delay but now I replaced the batteries in both detectors and reinstalled them, first everything is fine, Then a couple of ours later the one in the bedroom starts beeping for no reason with all the windows opened and nothing on. Anyone know what I should try before I throw these things in the garbage and chance burning alive? BEEP BEEP BEEP!- BEEP BEEP BEEP!- BEEP BEEP BEEP!

[Jeff Hamlin]

Recommend you get some of the computer duster in a can and clean out the heads.
They can be affected by dust/cobwebs/spiderwebs and such.
Its worth a shot. I will also add that it may be time for new units.
10 years is the norm, and if they continue to be problematic it might be worth it to just change them out.
I know it goes without saying but, removing the batteries to stop the chirp/beep is not a good idea.

[fiedlerh]

Mine got real sensitive at around 10 years old and would drive us crazy. i just replaced them all.

[Lightfoot]

We had one go bad after plumbers installed a new water softner system in our basement last fall. It kept going off while they were soldering, so we took the battery out. Put the battery back in after they were done. Then, a few months later the damn thing just goes off and won't shut up. Waited a week, then tried to install a new battery, but as soon as the terminals make contact it starts screaming.
I'm sure the solder smoke was the culprit but the detector could have been more than 20 years old too.

[Txbobcat]

Some states require all smoke detectors get wired together so if One goes off they all go off. That to me is wrong. Maybe a wastebasket catches fire you could put it out and be done. Now you can run thru the house looking for the fire or go outside and watch your house burn while the fire dept is on the way.

[The Boss]

Over time normal dust will settle on the sensor and will cause it to go off when no danger is present. Most building departments and alarm companies will recommend they get replaced every 10 years. Our building department is now requiring that any renovations in an existing house include the upgrading of the smokes to the combo carbon units as well.

[1beautifuldaughter]

My wife told me that we replaced both detectors a couple of years ago, I forgot about that. When I asked her why we did it she said because it kept going off. They are both smoke and carbon. I seem to remember that any time I would start my gto ( Garage is under the bedroom ) and I have to let it run for a couple of minutes before attempting moving it. Later that night 3am or so the alarm would go off. The bedroom is separate from the house with french doors and has many windows almost like a three seasons room, they are almost always open. After some helpful posts here about dust I went on line and found something that sounds like if I ever hit the reset it might be necessary to remove the battery and disconnect it and hold the reset button for 30 seconds? Sounds crazy, Kind of resetting the reset? Well I'll try anything once. Thanks for the input if that works I will post it. I never knew they had a life span,,,, Good to know,,,, But I have been learning that the newer something is, The shorter its life span seems to be. I'll ask Trump if these are made in China. Lol

[1beautifuldaughter]

Just looked and found date code, Wife was wrong detectors dates oct 2009. ( time fly's when your having fun) I guess I will just get new ones . Thanks

[The Boss]

Don't fault her just yet, some of that inventory can sit on shelves for years in electrical supply houses. Just sayin...

[rohrt]

My wife thinks the smoke detector is the oven timer.

Seriously though it is recommended to replace them as others have said.

[Deadhead]

Bugs. I have installed thousands of them, and you would be surprised how many times a bug crawls in, disrupts the ion beam or whatever and they go off. Other than the ones in bad spots, cleaning should help. Nothing like a big new construction empty house when the inspector sets them off. Sums up the code.