How to Install a Smoke Alarm

If I had known how easy it was to replace the whole smoke detector, I would have done it when we first moved into the house.
Step 1: Remove the old smoke alarm


I opened up the cover, just like changing the battery. I found the 2 screws that held it on to the ceiling, and removed those. That’s it! No more yellowing, faulty smoke detector.


I filled in the holes (wall anchors and all) with dry wall putty, and painted it to match the ceiling.
Step 2: Mark where you want the new smoke alarm to go


I measured the distance from each wall, then held up the case and marked where the screws needed to go.
Step 3: Attach the smoke alarm to the ceiling


The screws hold a mounting bracket on the ceiling, and the smoke detector simply twists into the mounting bracket. Twisting the alarm into the mounting bracket activated the alarm.
SimplePracticalBeautiful
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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  2 questions
  • RichDAVUS RichDAVUS on Nov 08, 2015
    Friends of mine and I were talking about when smoke alarms should be replaced. Some thought 5 years and other thought 10 years. Some believed if they work leave them alon
  • Marianne Donahoe Marianne Donahoe on Nov 12, 2015
    How do you test them to see if they still work?
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