7 Tips to Maintain Your Video Surveillance System

September 29th, 2021



To ensure your surveillance system in Chico, CA is performing at its best, performing regular scheduled maintenance is recommended. Regular maintenance allows you to get the most optimal performance out of your surveillance system and protect your investment.

We've compiled 7 of our best tips for keeping your video surveillance system in Chico, CA maintained.

1. Prune and Clip Landscaping

Look around. Do all of your outdoor security cameras have an unobstructed view, or is your landscaping out of control? Keep landscaping, including the bushes, vines and trees neatly pruned and clipped, to ensure optimal viewing and to prevent the camera view from becoming obstructed. Imagine taking a look at your security video, only to find that a bush or branch of a tree was blocking the view of your security camera. Additionally, you'll want to be on the lookout for webs from spiders and bird nests and nests from insects such as wasps that may have sprung up near your cameras and remove them accordingly to provide an unobstructed view.

2. Clean Lenses

Inspect all of your outdoor and indoor security camera lenses. Are they spotless and free of dirt and grime? Examine lenses for unwanted water spots, smudges, mud, and dust on your camera lenses. Dirty lenses prevent you from get a clear image, regardless of whether you have a camera that produces high-resolution images or not. To ensure the best possible image quality, it's best to clean your security camera lenses regularly and thoroughly. Begin by using a can of compressed air to blow air at the lens to remove any loose particles or debris. Then you can very gently wipe off the camera lens with a microfiber cloth.

3. Inspect Camera Housing

Perform a thorough inspection of your camera housing and enclosures. Is there water anywhere? It's important to open the housing of your video security cameras to check condensation, droplets of water, dirt and other debris. If you find any of the aforementioned elements inside your camera enclosure, it's a sure sign that it's not protecting your camera and that will have an effect on camera performance.

4. Check Connectors for Corrosion

Inspect your connectors for any sign of corrosion. Promptly replace any connectors that are corroded. This is important because corroded connectors can cause your video security equipment to short circuit.

5. Ensure Cabling is Securely Connected to Your Security Equipment

Check every one of your cable connections, including the cables that are connected to your surveillance cameras, DVR or NVR. It's important to make sure that all of your cables are connected securely and that your equipment is receiving power. Be on the lookout for cables that are wearing out, splitting, cracking or showing holes. Cables with wires that are exposed need to be replaced. All of your outdoor cameras need to be sealed at entry and the cable should have a drip loop. You can create a drip loop in the shape of a U with your cables to inhibit water from forming a pool and getting inside your surveillance camera.

6. Remove Dust from Your DVR or NVR

See any dust on your DVR or NVR? A layer of dust can form over time on your video which may affect performance. It's important to lightly dust your equipment regularly. You can wipe your NVR/DVR with a soft cloth such as microfiber, and to remove dust may have gotten inside the crevices of the equipment, you can use compressed air in a can to gently blow it out. Clean the outside surfaces only. Removing the enclosure of your DVR or NVR is not recommended.

7. Examine Your Power Supplies

You'll also want check your video security system's power supplies to make sure that your surveillance system hasn't lost power due to a thunderstorm, brownout, blackout deliberate tampering, power surge or some other unwanted event. If your system is connected to a UPS, look for warning lights on the UPS and see if the battery is fully charged.

To ensure that your security cameras are receiving their full power requirements, you can use a voltmeter to test them. A camera that receives too little or too much power can cause the camera to fail much more quickly, and it's much easier and less expensive to replace a faulty power supply than it is to replace a security camera.

Performing regular, scheduled maintenance for your surveillance system will enable you to maximize the performance of your system and protect your investment.

What Our Customers Say

"I had the Alibi system installed several years ago. It has functioned flawlessly. The image quality is exellent both night and day and in all weather conditions. I particularly like the replay (which can be set at various speeds) and zoom functions of the system. Tech support from Crimefreeliving has been excellent. I have received quick responses to questions, and timely home visits — as when I changed IP carriers and my Alibi system needed to be reset. I have recommended Crimefreeliving to several friends."

Rich

"As a small business owner here in Chico we definitely saw the need for video surveillance. After expressing our needs and concerns Tim did an excellent job getting us set up with the set up with the appropriate equipment. He really took the time to address our concerns in a very friendly, professional and knowledgeable manner. I highly recommend Tim for all of your business and residential video surveillance needs."

Ron H., Owner/Auto Doctor

"I have to say I love having my security cameras at my home. Tim Truby did a wonderful job of installing the five cameras. He is very neat and cleaned everything up after the installation. He explained to me how to operate the monitor, my phone and IPad. However, I have had to call Tim because I'm not tech savvy and forget what he has told me. He usually just helps me over the phone and then all is well. I'm 80 years old and enjoy the comfort of knowing I have these security cameras."

Gloria

"Tim Truby designed and installed a 32 camera system for us here at the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District. We had received several other quotes from security system vendors, but Tim’s quote was the least expensive. Tim also installed the system quickly and has always been available when we needed him. We are very happy with our security camera system and we can highly recommend Tim Truby for all of your surveillance system needs."

D. Weseman, Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District

Crime Free Living updated our old video system with a new 16 Channel HD Alibi Video Security System. The old system had been added onto by different installers which resulted in a cabling mess. There were cables that worked and cables that went nowhere. It was a mess. Tim sorted it all out and installed cameras that are very clear. He also installed a monitor for our cashiers to watch hidden areas, a monitor to watch the entry door, and a monitor that allows employees to watch the outside parking and gas pump area. All work was done on time and very professional! Will always recommend Tim and Crime Free Living.

S. AM PM Chico Arco Station

"I had Tim install an Alibi Video Security System at my residence and a couple business locations. The remote view option is invaluable to absentee owners or anyone who travels a lot. The clarity and quality of the cameras have allowed for viewing employee theft. The evidence provided from the HD video cameras was fantastic! Tim was professional and provided extra value from his law enforcement background."

J. Folsom Arco Station

"Tim, I want to thank you again for doing such a fantastic job on installing a wireless IP security camera system at our dream home. The extra time that you took to hide wires, and install a clean, professional system is much appreciated. I still can’t believe the clarity, quality, and ease of use of this new system. I wished that I would have met you before our original inferior system was installed by another company. Now, whether I am at home, or monitoring the system from around the world, I know that my home and family are safe and sound."

John M.

"In April of 2017, my husband and I made a phone call to Crime Free Living that turned out to be a smart and wise decision. Amazingly, in just a few hours, Tim installed four Dome Security Cameras, weatherproof enclosures, and hooked up into our home a 23" Full HD Widescreen Security Monitor. Even more than his professional expertise was the time spent with us in making sure that this system was working correctly and properly installed on our phones so that anywhere in our travels we can monitor our new home in Magalia."

Tieka and Don S.

"I have been using Crime Free Living for the last couple years ar work and at home and I really recommend this product. Tim is a very good service provider. If he can't figure it out, he's got good tech support with the system that he offers."

Gary D.

"I have known Tim for over 10 years. To date, Time with Crime Free Living has installed two separate surveillance systems for my company. With each system, Tim has listened to my needs and custom dsigned surveillance systems for my specific needs and within my budget. The equipment used is always state of the art, the workmanship is top notch, and Tim is the example of trustworthy. I would recommend him for any job."

Steve D., Down Range Indoor Training Center

images Certifications & Training

With 16 years of experience in law enforcement, Tim Truby, CEO, is fully certified in video surveillance and training.

  • Certified Advanced Crime Prevention Specialist
  • Academy Instructor Certification
  • California POST Certification in Specialized Surveillance Equipment
  • California POST Certification in Basic Crime Prevention
    • Advanced Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
    • Certified Alibi Security Dealer
    • Enhanced Risk and Threat Assessment (FEMA)
    • Incident Command System (100 & 200)
    • Certified Cognitech Video Forensic Investigator
    • Neighborhood Watch Toolkit Trainer
    • Computer Crimes/Investigations
    • Domestic Crisis for Crisis Negotiators
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