Burglar Alarm Servicing & Maintenance: why regular checks and upgrades matter

If you already have a burglar alarm installed, you’re doing the right thing to protect your home. But like any system you rely on, it still needs regular care. Burglar alarm servicing and maintenance make sure everything works properly, stays insurance-compliant, and doesn’t let you down when you need it most.

Think of it like a yearly MOT for your alarm - quick, sensible, and reassuring. Let’s walk through why servicing matters, when an upgrade makes sense, and how we keep things simple and pressure-free.

Why Regular Servicing Keeps Your Alarm In Top Shape

Regular alarm servicing and maintenance help spot wear, battery issues and sensor faults before they cause false alarms or system failures. Over time, parts of your system can start to wear out, get dusty, or just go a bit wonky. Sensors might not be as sharp. Batteries can lose their oomph. Technology moves on.

By booking an annual service, you’ll:

• Catch small faults before they become big problems

• Make sure your sirens and sensors are working properly

• Keep your system insurance compliant

• Avoid unexpected breakdowns when you need it most

  
  

It’s one of those little jobs that can make a big difference down the line - like checking your tyres before a long drive. Quick to do, but reassuring once it’s done.

How Often Should A Burglar Alarm Be Serviced?

Most burglar alarms should be serviced once a year.

Annual alarm servicing helps to:

• Keep your system reliable and responsive

• Ensure batteries are holding charge properly

• Check sensors are triggering correctly

• Maintain insurance compliance

• Reduce the risk of faults while you’re away on holiday

  
  

If your alarm is older, has wireless components, or hasn’t been checked in a while, regular maintenance becomes even more important. A short yearly visit can prevent the exact problems we often get called out for - alarms failing just before trips, power cuts, or busy periods.

Is It Time For An Upgrade? Here’s Why It Might Be

If your system’s more than a few years old, you could be missing out on features that make life easier and your home safer.

Here are a few signs you might benefit from an upgrade:

• Your bell box looks faded or doesn’t light up at night

• You don’t have an app to check your alarm when you're out

• The keypad’s fiddly or hard to read

• You’re still relying on wired-only tech

  
  

Upgrading doesn't mean starting from scratch. We can usually reconnect your existing detectors and just enhance the brains and bells of the system. Nice and simple.

What We Check During An Alarm Service

When you book a burglar alarm service with MAS, we’ll:

• Test all sensors and detectors to make sure they’re working as they should

• Check internal and external sounders

• Assess the condition of your backup battery

• Clean any components that need a bit of attention

  
  

And once we’re done? You’ll get a 12-month alarm service warranty covering parts and labour - so if anything goes wrong, we’ll sort it. ... More About Those Batteries

Every burglar alarm system has a backup battery in case the power goes out. These are designed to last about 12 hours when fully charged - but after 3 years or so, they can start to lose performance.

As part of your house alarm service and maintenance, we’ll:

• Test your backup battery and provide battery replacements it if needed

• Check any detector batteries (especially in wireless or hybrid systems)

Top tip: syncing battery replacement with your security alarm service call saves time and keeps your home protected.

How Long Does A Burglar Alarm Service Take & How Often Should You Book?

A standard burglar alarm service takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or so. If a battery needs changing, it might take a little longer - but we’ll let you know what’s needed before we start.

We recommend getting your house alarm system serviced once a year. That way, everything stays in tip-top shape and you can relax knowing your home security alarm is all working quietly in the background.

What’s In Our Upgrade Package?

If you decide to upgrade your burglar alarm system, here’s what we typically include:

• A modern LED-lit bell box for better visibility and a stronger deterrent

• An intuitive touchscreen keypad that’s easy to use

• A new HKC hybrid control panel (works with both wired and wireless detectors)

• A reliable 12-volt backup battery

• Reconnection of any working detectors you already have

• A discounted GSM/Wi-Fi communicator for improved remote access

• One month free access to the SecureComm app - so you can control your system from your phone

  
  

  It’s a solid house alarm upgrade without ripping out everything you’ve already got.

  
  

Want Remote Monitoring...? Here’s What SecureComm Can Do

Remote monitoring puts the power in your hands. With the SecureComm app, you can:

• Arm and disarm your system from anywhere

• Get instant alerts if something triggers the alarm

• View real-time images from motion-triggered PIR cameras (if installed)

• Check who’s been in and out using unique access codes

  
  

It’s smart, simple and gives you control whether you're at the shops or sunning it up in Spain.

Not sure whether your burglar alarm just needs a service or might benefit from a small upgrade? Give us a ring and we’ll talk it through properly.

We’ll check what you’ve got, explain your options clearly, and help you decide what actually makes sense for your home.

No jargon. No pressure. Just honest advice from a local team that’s been looking after Midlands homes for 38+ years.

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FAQs

How often should I get my alarm serviced?

Once a year is usually enough to keep your system running reliably. Annual servicing helps spot small issues early and ensures everything works properly when you need it.

Is burglar alarm servicing really necessary?

Yes. Even if your alarm seems fine, regular servicing helps catch hidden issues like weak batteries, sensor faults or communication problems. It also helps keep your system insurance-compliant and reliable.

What happens during a burglar alarm service?

During a service, we test all sensors, check the control panel and bell box, inspect batteries, and make sure the system is communicating correctly. We’ll also clean components if needed and flag anything that may need attention.

What happens if I don’t service my alarm?

Without regular servicing, alarms are more likely to suffer from battery failures, false alarms, or sensors not triggering correctly. Many faults only show up during power cuts or when the system is under stress.

How long do alarm batteries last?

Most backup batteries last around 3–5 years. As part of a service, we test battery performance and replace them if needed to avoid unexpected failures.

Do I need a whole new system to get remote access?

Not at all. In many cases, we can upgrade just the control panel and add a GSM or Wi-Fi communicator to enable app access without replacing the full system.

Will you reconnect my existing detectors during an upgrade?

Yes. As long as your existing detectors are working properly, we’ll keep them in place and reconnect them to your upgraded system.

Do I need to be home during the service?

Yes. We’ll need access to your control panel, sensors and bell box. Most services take around 30–60 minutes, and we’ll be in and out with minimal disruption.

Want to chat it through? Contact us today for honest advice, friendly service, and proper peace of mind.