Having a CCTV system is important and beneficial for every home and business owner. The cameras can help you a lot, and they will increase the overall safety and security.
However, if you want these units to function properly, you need to get them serviced once in a while. In this article, we are going to tell you how often should the CCTV system be maintained, and why you need to do it. Keep on reading if you want to learn more about the process, and how to avoid the most common mistakes people make with these devices.
Why do you need these services?
First, let’s see why you should consider installing a CCTV system in your home or place of business. It has been reported that homes and buildings that have cameras are less likely to be targeted by thieves, and they are also less likely to get vandalized.
With these units, you will be able to find the culprit in case something bad happens, and you will have your own evidence to show the police in case there has been an accident in your house or the office.
You can use the systems to monitor the safety of your staff, as well as their performance, and you will be able to present evidence in case there is an accident or something where the court of law is involved. Liability cases are much easier to get resolved when there is a recording, and you will protect both yourself and your employees if you have these systems in place.
Note that with a CCTV system you will be more likely to get your insurance claim and get it faster, and you will have the footage for every minor or big thing that is happening in your house or your place of business.
Why do you need to service them
Now let’s talk about the importance of servicing your systems, and how ignoring them will make your life more difficult. The number one maintenance reason is so that you can avoid the units breaking or damaging. No matter how protected they are, they are still going to get dirty and dusty. You need to clean this so it doesn’t clog the system or the buttons.
You also need to maintain them regularly so that they are properly working, and the camera can move as it should. You will keep the focus and the quality of the recording, and the device will not just stop working suddenly.
Note that in case something happens and the police need to be involved, you will have to provide valuable evidence and not just recordings with dirt stains on them. You don’t want the CCTV system to fail at the most important moment, and the only way to prevent them is with regular and proper servicing.
Even if the units get damaged with time, and even if they need to be fixed, know that the repair process will go much faster if the devices are in good condition than if they need to be fully serviced and repaired.
How often do you need to service them?
As you can see, servicing these systems is crucial, but this begs the question – how often should you do it, and what happens if you don’t do it on time.
There is no exact rule that you have to follow for this, and it all depends on the type of camera you have and where it is placed. If it is out in the open, and if it is subjected to all the weather changes, then you will need to maintain the units more often than those that are placed indoors.
On websites like titusalarmandcctv.co.uk, you can see that a reliable professional service can not only help you with the installation of these units, but they can also help you maintain them, and even fix or replace them when needed.
The easiest way to check if they need to be serviced is to follow a checklist, and see if the cameras and the whole equipment are working properly. You should check the wiring, and see if there are any visible damages, or if there are any issues with the signal and the footage.
By definition, if you have outdoor models, then you need to check the lens at least once per month, and just visually check if there are any damages to the model. You should factor in the material and the type of device you are using, as some are more likely to get damaged than others.
On the same note, you should check them in case they got knocked over, or if you see that someone was meddling with your units. You can do the servicing or at least the visual check-up once every few weeks, and this will not take you a lot of time or a lot of effort.
Know that you should do an in-depth check at least once every few months, and this means checking the way the system works, looking for errors, and visually inspecting all the parts of the equipment.
It is recommended that you get a professional service to inspect all the devices at least once per year and make sure that there are no damages. The experts can tell you more about each of the units, they will let you know if there is something that requires your attention, and if there is a device that is likely to stop working in the foreseeable future.
Doing all of these things will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run, and you won’t have to invest in new devices once every year. The better you service them, and the more often you inspect them, the less likely it is for you to get any unpleasant surprises.
You should not forget about this, and you should not ignore your devices and expect the system to function perfectly for decades without you checking it. Make sure you check the recordings as well and see if the software is working as it is supposed to. If you notice that the footage abruptly cuts, or if there are any other issues with it, if it seems that there are issues with the recording process, or if you are missing the data for specific dates and times, you have to report this and call a professional service.