Smoke Alarm Under Drywall

Detr1

This is really happening. I recently had my basement finished. I have a chirping smoke alarm (low battery i'm sure) in the basement. It is a hardwired/9v battery smoke alarm. Sounds like the smoke alarm is somewhere in the drywalled ceiling. It must have been in a spot where it was not seen. I sure hope there is an easier solution than tearing holes in my new drywall.

joecaption

I'm not seeing any other way to do it.
Use a glass againt the ceiling with your ear to it and narrow it down and start cutting.

Detr1

There has to be another way.

joecaption

Sure cut the floor out above it, but that might be a little harder to fix.

Detr1

Only 2/3rds of the basement is finished. I have access to the wires from the fuse box. I was thinking of trying to find the 120 wire of that smoke alarm and disconnecting it. Then letting the battery beep itself out. Then using that same wire to hook up a new one.

rossfingal

Well -
your smoke-detector shouldn't be buried under the drywall.
Have the people who dry walled it, come back and find the smoke detector.
I can hardly, believe this!
"RF"

Detr1

I'm certain it was an accident. They would never have done it knowingly. I'm guessing tt may have been on a beam sideways so it was not easy to spot.

rossfingal

Accidents happen!
After you get the people that dry walled over it -
Have them repair the holes in the dry wall - that they created, from their
"accident"!

Detr1

Poking holes in the drywall and getting them to repair their work was already on the table. I was really searching for alternatives. It may be awhile before they get here.

joecaption

That beeping can go on for weeks if not longer.

gregzoll

The glass to the ceiling, or stethoscope works in finding the culprit. Then you just have to cut a hole in the drywall, pull to place in a old work box, so the detector is on the ceiling, not behind it. Now the other curious question is, how many junction boxes are hidden behind the ceiling and walls that were dry walled.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
: Now listen, Cadet. I've got a job for you. See this button?
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
: Don't touch it! It's the History Eraser button, you fool!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
: So what'll happen?
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
: That's just it. We don't know. Maybe something bad, maybe something good. I guess we'll never know, 'cause you're going to guard it. You won't touch it, will you?

DangerMouse

I think this might just be the simplest answer.

DM

__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Click
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
to see some of my original magic tricks and trick boxes!

joed

Can't do the last part of that. That would leave a buried junction box(the one with the beeping smoke) under the drywall. That is against the electrical code.
You either need to find and expose it or abandon it completely so there are no live wire left. I wonder what else they might have covered up.

__________________
Do not PM with questions that can be asked in a forum. I will not respond.

DangerMouse

All of my hardwired come from one J/B. If he were to disconnect the hidden one and run a new line, no box should be left anywhere and he should be fine, yes? .....dead line and soon to be dead battery.

DM

__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Click
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
to see some of my original magic tricks and trick boxes!

joecaption

Just one of the many reason to go with a suspended ceiling and not sheetrock in a basement.