Monthly testing is usually fine, but honestly, if it gives you peace of mind, there's no harm in checking more often. I've seen detectors that randomly fail even after passing initial tests, so a quick press every couple of weeks won't hurt. Good call on being cautious—gas leaks aren't something you wanna mess around with. Sounds like you're already on top of things though, which is great to see.
"I've seen detectors that randomly fail even after passing initial tests"
Yeah, I've had that happen too. Had one detector test fine, then went completely silent during an actual leak. Now I test mine bi-weekly and swap batteries every 6 months. Better safe than sorry...
"Had one detector test fine, then went completely silent during an actual leak."
Yeah, that's exactly why I don't fully trust those cheaper detectors anymore. I had a similar scare—mine tested fine for months, but when we had an actual gas issue, it just sat there blinking happily like nothing was wrong. Ended up investing in a better-reviewed model afterward. Definitely pricier upfront, but honestly worth it for peace of mind... and fewer gray hairs.
Definitely pricier upfront, but honestly worth it for peace of mind... and fewer gray hairs.
I completely agree about being cautious with budget detectors. It's surprising how often they can pass routine tests but still fail in real scenarios. I've read that some cheaper models rely heavily on sensors that degrade faster over time, so even if they're technically "working," their sensitivity might decline significantly without any obvious warning. Makes me wonder if there's a recommended interval for replacing or recalibrating these detectors, even if they seem fine...?
Had a similar experience myself last year. I bought a mid-range detector thinking it was good enough—passed all the button tests and everything. Then one night, we actually had a minor gas leak from a faulty stove valve, and the thing didn't even chirp. Luckily, we caught it early by smell alone. After that, I did some digging around and found out these sensors really do degrade quietly over time. Now I just replace mine every 3-4 years regardless of how they test... better safe than sorry.
