Your security camera system is an investment and one that should be maintained to keep it in good condition. We recommend you schedule regular system maintenance to protect your investment and ensure that you’re getting the best performance out of your security system. We’ve also put together 8 tips for maintaining your security camera system:
Perform a semi-annual inspection
Carefully inspect all your indoor and outdoor cameras and look for signs of any corrosion. Be sure to replace any connectors that show signs of corrosion, because it can cause your equipment to short out. Check all power supplies to ensure that your system hasn’t lost power due to tampering, a storm, a burn out, or some other unwanted event. If you have a UPS, take a look at the unit to make sure that the battery is fully charged and does not show any warning lights.
Clean all camera lenses at least twice a year for optimal performance
Check all your indoor and outdoor camera lenses for dust, smudges, water spots and other elements. Dirty lenses can make your camera useless because the video and image quality is affected, making it near impossible to see the image.
Ensure that all bullet & box cameras are securely in position, and are free of vibration
During your semi-annual inspection review your camera positioning and setup to ensure they meet your current security needs. Also check the positioning of all your cameras to make sure they are not loose. Jiggle the area to make sure there are no vibrations that can interfere with your video quality.
Replace cameras that have persistent poor image quality or broken parts
If your notice the image quality of your camera is getting poor, replace the camera before the camera becomes useless. During your inspection, take note of any broken parts that need to be replaced. If you need to change any parts or accessories it is recommended that you buy them from the same manufacturer or from a trusted seller. This way, you are assured that you are purchasing real parts. They should have warranties and are less prone to premature deterioration.
Trim landscaping around your cameras
Review all your outdoor cameras and ensure they all still have a clear view. Trim all vines, bushes, trees and other foliage around the cameras to prevent any obstructions. It would also be a good time to make sure that animals likes birds, squirrels or bees have not built nests near your cameras.
Check your camera housing and weatherproof
Protect your cameras from environmental elements by making sure your camera enclosures are still weatherproof. You’ll want to open the housing of your security cameras to check for water, condensation, and dirt in order to confirm that the camera enclosures are still protecting your security cameras from the elements. Also, too much sunlight or water exposure can damage your cameras, especially if they have not been designed to beat them. Hence, if you are installing cameras outside, you may want to cover them with an encasing or small sheds.
Make sure your cables are securely connected
Loose connections or worn out cables are usually the main culprit when your security camera system is not working. Make sure to check all your cable connections and look for any cables that are showing signs of wear and tear. These include all cables connected to your security cameras and DVR. Monitor them to make sure that all of your cables are securely connected and receiving power.
Keep the security camera system manuals
You should have received a manual when your security system cameras were installed. Store the manuals in a safe place that you can access when you need it. You can refer to the manual first before calling a professional and it can save you some money.
If you keep you with your security camera maintenance you will protect your investment and have a well running system to protect you. You may also want to have a professional come in and evaluate your security system at least once a year. This will maintain the systems integrity and they will be able to give you some tips and pointers if it is necessary.
Adapted from http://njsolutions.net/eight-tips-for-maintaining-your-video-security-system/