Smoke Detector Services

Ensuring your smoke detectors are set up and functioning correctly is critical to the safety of everyone in your home. According to the National Fire Protection Association, working smoke detectors reduce the danger of death in a home fire by half. 

Turn to Mr. Handyman® for smoke detector services that will create a safer environment for your family.

• Over 25 years of providing maintenance and repair solutions.  
• Establish better property protection and safety with professional smoke detector services.
• Why nearly 1 million customers trust Mr. Handyman.

Why Choose Mr. Handyman for Smoke Detector Services

Turn to the service professionals at Mr. Handyman to keep your family safer and your home healthier. Our experts have 25+ years of experience, giving you reasons to trust our work:

• Familiarity with efficient smoke detector placement
• Fast, convenient online scheduling on your time
• Installation details that adhere to local building and fire codes
• Services covered by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™
• Knowing which smoke detectors are best for your home

Signs It’s Time for Smoke Detector Services

If your detectors are beeping, throwing false alarms, or are otherwise unreliable, it's time for smoke detector services. As a potentially life-saving device, smoke detectors must be serviced annually and at the first signs of potential issues. If you’ve encountered any of the following warning signs or situations, contact the team at Mr. Handyman: 

• Frequent false alarms
• Insufficient detector coverage
• Low or dead batteries (beeping)
• New home purchases
• Outdated smoke detectors (10+ years old)
• Smoke detector recalls
• Unreliable power issues (AC)
• Unresponsive to smoke

Smoke Detector Services We Offer

The team at Mr. Handyman is here to provide smoke detector installation services and maintenance. If you lack smoke detectors or your existing alarms are outdated, our service professionals can install new models. Other services Mr. Handyman provides include:

• Compliance verification
• Consultation and assessments
• Inspection and testing
• Installation and upgrades
• Integration with home systems 
• Maintenance and repairs

Home Smoke Detector Requirements

Smoke detector requirements vary depending on municipal building codes and regulations; it’s best to check with your local fire department for more information. The following are general guidelines for smoke detector installation, but your local Mr. Handyman service professional will help you navigate requirements in your area.

Do install a smoke detector

• within every bedroom or sleeping area
• in the hallway outside each sleeping area
• on every level of the home
• in common areas, such as open living rooms
• at the bottom of your basement stairs
• on the ceiling, at least 4 inches from the wall
• Between 4 and 12 inches from the ceiling if on a wall

Don’t install a smoke detector

• near windows, doors, or ducts
• in humid areas in your home, like bathrooms
• near heat sources
• before you start a paint job. Never cover smoke detectors with paint or decorations

How To Maintain Your Smoke Detectors

Maintaining smoke detectors is critical to ensuring they operate correctly. We recommend turning to experts like Mr. Handyman to ensure the job is done right. Standard smoke detector maintenance services should be performed regularly.

• Monthly: Test the alarm by pressing the test button to ensure it sounds.
• Annually: Replace the batteries and clean dust from the detector.
• Every 10 Years: Replace the units with new smoke detectors.

Carbon Monoxide Detector Services

Carbon monoxide detectors are as important as smoke detectors, if not more critical. Carbon monoxide detectors alert you to the presence of potentially deadly gas. Because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, it's vital to have a reliable method to detect it. Poorly functioning electric fireplaces, gas furnaces, stoves, ovens, water heaters, heaters, and dryers can all be possible sources of carbon monoxide.

Mr. Handyman provides carbon monoxide detector services and can install them as part of your other smoke detector systems. Keep your family safe from smoke and carbon monoxide with the proper installation and maintenance services.

Trust Mr. Handyman With Smoke Detector Services

Mr. Handyman has provided home and apartment maintenance services since 1996. Since then, homeowners have discovered the value of expert services like smoke detector installation and repair. With Mr. Handyman, there’s no need to worry; service professionals are backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™.

When it's time to get started, contact the Mr. Handyman team with a single convenient call. Our service professionals are fully insured with general liability and workers' compensation, and we make sure to clean up when we’re done, leaving you only with results—not a mess.

Find Smoke Detector Services Near You

For smoke detector services, trust the service professionals at Mr. Handyman. No stranger to safety and mobility services, our experts will help make your home safer for your family. Contact us today to schedule an appointment—your local Mr. Handyman is ready to become your personal handyman whenever you need them.

Smoke Detector Service FAQs

You aren't alone if you're a homeowner with questions about smoke detector services. Check out our answers to frequently asked questions we receive.

How do you service a smoke detector?

The best way to service a smoke detector is to call a professional. Experts like Mr. Handyman are trained in smoke detector installation and repair and know local fire and building codes to ensure the job is done correctly. Don't risk your safety with DIY smoke detector services.

What are NFPA 72 requirements for smoke detectors?

NFPA 72 offers guidelines for the installation and use of smoke detectors. In addition to installation requirements, NFPA 72 discusses smoke detector power sources, testing, maintenance, and special conditions. Guidelines provided include:

• Install smoke detectors in every sleeping area, hallways outside sleeping areas, on every level of the home, and at the bottom of stairways leading up from the basement.
• Install smoke detectors on the ceiling at least 4 inches from walls or on walls 4 to12 inches from the ceiling.
• Don't install smoke detectors near windows, doors, or ducts.
• Test smoke detectors monthly using the test button.
• Regular maintenance must be performed, and batteries must be replaced at least once a year or when a low battery is detected.

How often should I replace smoke detectors?

Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years – even if they work correctly. Over time, the smoke detector sensors can degrade, making them less effective. Contact a service professional to ensure the smoke detectors in your home are replaced properly.

Do smoke detectors need maintenance? 

Yes, smoke detectors need regular maintenance. Each month, you should test them by pressing the test button to see if the alarm sounds as it should. Every year, replace the batteries and clean the detector. Most importantly, have a service professional replace your smoke detectors with a new model every 10 years.

How do I stop a chirping smoke detector? 

A chirping smoke detector likely indicates that the battery is running low. Replace the battery to stop the chirping and restore regular operation. If your smoke detector is hardwired, this could indicate an issue with the power source and require electrical services. Don’t leave your safety up to chance and all a service professional for a full inspection.

Is a beeping smoke detector an emergency?

Yes. Address a beeping smoke detector as soon as possible. It indicates that the unit’s battery is low, and the power source could deplete if you don’t replace it. When fully depleted, a smoke detector cannot alert you to smoke or fire, creating a dangerous scenario for your home.

Should smoke detectors be on the wall or ceiling?

Smoke detectors can be installed on your wall or ceiling. If installing on a ceiling, ensure it’s placed at least 4 inches from the nearest wall, and for vaulted ceilings, within 3 feet of the highest point. When installing on a wall, place the smoke detector 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling.

Where should smoke alarms not be placed?

You should not place smoke detectors in the following locations:

• In bathrooms or humid areas
• In corners or close to walls
• In kitchens or near stoves
• In unfinished spaces, such as attics
• Near air vents or ducts
• Near light fixtures
• Near windows and doors

How far should a smoke detector be from a bathroom door?

You should install smoke detectors at least 10 feet away from bathroom doors. Humid air from showering or bathing can cause smoke detectors to signal false alarms or become damaged.

Should every room in a house have a smoke detector?

Ideally, every room in your home should have a smoke detector. Most fire codes emphasize installing detectors within all sleeping areas and in hallways outside sleeping areas. Contact your local Mr. Handyman for expert advice on installing your smoke detector system.