Pro Handyman Blog

Handyman Says Replace an Old Smoke Alarm

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It’s my handyman obligation to remind you that you should have replaced the batteries in your smoke detectors last week when we changed the clocks for daylight savings time. It is also a good time for you to determine if the smoke detectors need to be replaced. If your detectors are 10 years old, you should replace them.

Replacing a smoke detector is easy. If you buy the same brand of detector that is currently installed at your house, to may not need to replace the pigtail that connects the house wiring to the detector. However, over time, manufacturers do change sizes, etc.

If you need to replace the pigtail, shut off the power to the circuit at the main panel. The pigtail will be wired to the house wiring with wire nuts. Replace the wires of the old pigtail with the wires of the new one, color for color. Snugly twist on a wire nut to hold the wires securely.

You will probably need to replace the ceiling mounting plate that holds the detector to the ceiling, but this in a matter of two screws.

Plug the new pigtail into the new detector and then rotate the detector to engage the tabs on the mounting plate.