Battery change smoke alarm in Exeter
Professional battery change smoke alarm services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
10-15 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Smoke alarm battery changed and tested properly. Stop the 3am beeping, ensure your family's protected, get peace of mind for another year.
The 3am Chirp Of Doom
Chirp. You wake up. Wait. Chirp. There it is again. The smoke alarm. Low battery. It's 3am and you've got work tomorrow and the bloody thing won't stop beeping.
You know you should change the battery. You know it's important. But you don't have a 9V battery. So you pull the battery out. Just until morning. Just to get some sleep.
Three months later, the alarm's still on the side. No battery. Not protecting anyone.
💡 Pro tip: Smoke alarms are designed to beep at night. Batteries test weakest when cold, houses are coldest at 3am. It's not random - it's physics. And it's deliberately annoying so you fix it, not ignore it.
Why This Matters
Working smoke alarms save lives. It's that simple. You're three times more likely to die in a house fire without working smoke alarms.
| ✅ Working Alarm | ❌ Neglected |
|---|---|
| Early warning gives time to escape | Family asleep, no warning |
| Loud enough to wake heavy sleepers | Silent death from smoke inhalation |
| Tests clean monthly | No idea if it works |
| Battery changed annually | "I'll do it tomorrow" for 6 months |
| Legal requirement for landlords | Prosecution if tenant harmed |
Signs Your Smoke Alarm Needs Attention
🔊 The Chirp Single chirp every 30-60 seconds = low battery. That's your warning. Don't ignore it.
🧪 Failed Test Press the test button monthly. If it doesn't make a deafening alarm sound, it's faulty.
📅 Unknown Age Can't remember when alarm was fitted? Check the manufacture date on the back. If it's over 10 years old, replace the whole alarm.
🔋 Never Changed Battery If you've never changed the battery, it's time. Even "long life" batteries eventually die.
What I'll Do
🔧 The Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Locate All Alarms | Find every smoke alarm in the house |
| Check Expiry | Verify each alarm is under 10 years old |
| Test Function | Press test button on each |
| Replace Batteries | Fit fresh batteries |
| Retest | Confirm all work properly |
| Document | Write battery change date on each alarm |
🔋 Battery Types I Carry
- 9V (PP3) - most common type
- AA batteries - some newer models
- Replacement alarms if yours are expired
Pricing
| Service | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single alarm | 10 mins | £60 |
| Multiple alarms (2-5) | 15-20 mins | £60 |
| Full house check (6+) | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| New alarm fitting | Add 10 mins each | +£15-25 |
Based on £60 minimum. Batteries and replacement alarms charged at cost.
When To Replace The Whole Alarm
Smoke alarms don't last forever. Replace entire alarm if:
Over 10 Years Old The sensor degrades. A 12-year-old alarm might beep when tested, but won't reliably detect smoke.
Repeated False Alarms Going off from steam/cooking when it didn't used to? Sensor's probably dying.
Won't Stop After Cooking If it keeps alarming and won't reset after you've dealt with burnt toast, it's faulty.
Yellowed or Damaged Physical damage, water damage, or severe yellowing = replace it.
Why Choose Us for Battery change smoke alarm in Exeter?
Fresh battery fitted and tested
Alarm expiry date checked
No more midnight beeping
Family protected properly
What to Expect
Step 1: Full Alarm Audit
I go through the house finding every smoke alarm, testing each one, checking expiry dates.
Step 2: Battery Replacement
Fresh batteries fitted in all alarms that need them. Dead alarms flagged for replacement.
Step 3: Test & Document
Everything tested, dates written on alarms so you know when it was done.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to maintain smoke alarms yourself? Here's how:
🔋 Changing the battery
- Twist alarm anti-clockwise to remove from ceiling mount
- Open battery compartment (slide or clip)
- Remove old battery, note type
- Fit new battery (check polarity!)
- Close compartment
- Press test button (should be loud and continuous)
- Twist back onto mount
🧪 Testing schedule
- Monthly: Press test button, confirm loud alarm
- Annually: Change battery (when clocks change is easy to remember)
- Every 10 years: Replace entire alarm
📍 Correct placement
- One per floor minimum
- Hallway and landing essential
- Don't put in kitchen (use heat detector instead - smoke detector will false alarm from cooking)
- Centre of ceiling ideal (or wall, within 30cm of ceiling)
- Not in corners (dead air space)
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Ignoring the chirp ("I'll do it tomorrow")
- Removing battery without replacing it
- Keeping alarms past 10 years ("but it still beeps!")
- Not testing monthly
💡 Pro trick: When you change the battery, write the date on the alarm in permanent marker. Next year when it chirps, you'll know it's been exactly a year. Also write the replace-by date (10 years from manufacture) so you know when the whole thing needs swapping.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Landlords: Working smoke alarms on every floor are a legal requirement. I can do annual checks and provide documentation for your records.
Interconnected alarms: If you've got multiple mains-powered alarms that all sound together, that's brilliant - one detects fire, they all alarm. But they all still need backup battery changes.
Optical vs Ionisation: Most modern alarms are optical (better for smouldering fires). Older alarms might be ionisation. Both work, both need maintaining. Sealed 10-year optical alarms are the current best practice.
Deaf or hard of hearing? Specialist alarms with strobe lights and vibrating pads exist. I can advise and fit these too.
Exeter's older houses: Victorian/Edwardian houses with high ceilings can be awkward for smoke alarm maintenance. I bring proper ladders and stepladders - reaching those 12-foot ceilings safely isn't a problem.
Building regs: New builds and major renovations need mains-powered interlinked alarms on every floor. Older houses don't, but battery alarms are still essential and legal for rentals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do smoke alarm batteries need changing?
Standard 9V batteries: annually. Many newer alarms have sealed 10-year batteries - you never change the battery, just replace the whole alarm after 10 years. I can check which type yours is.
Why does my smoke alarm always beep at 3am?
Batteries test weakest when it's coldest - that's usually the middle of the night. The alarm chirps to warn you the battery's low. It's designed to be annoying enough that you fix it, not ignore it.
Will you check if my alarms need replacing?
Yes - smoke alarms expire after 10 years. The sensor degrades and stops detecting smoke reliably. I'll check dates on all your alarms and advise which need replacing.
Can you sort the mains-powered alarms too?
Yes - even hard-wired smoke alarms have backup batteries that need changing. I'll test the mains connection and replace the backup battery.
How many smoke alarms should I have?
Minimum: one per floor. Better: one in hallway, one on landing, one near kitchen (heat detector better than smoke for kitchen). I can advise based on your house layout.
Battery change smoke alarm Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your battery change smoke alarm job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Battery change smoke alarm in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your battery change smoke alarm job in Exeter today.