CCTV Maintenance & Servicing Checklist
A practical, engineer-written checklist for keeping home and commercial CCTV systems healthy across Kent, Medway and South East London.
Most CCTV faults we're called to across Kent aren't installation problems, they're missed maintenance. A camera loses focus, a hard drive quietly fills with reallocated sectors, or a firmware update knocks out remote viewing. This is the same checklist our engineers use on a CCTV health check, whether it's a two-camera home system in Chatham or a 32-channel commercial site in Medway.
Camera checks
- Wipe every lens and dome with a microfibre cloth, spider webs are the #1 cause of false motion alerts
- Confirm day and night image quality on each channel
- Check IR illumination is even and not washed out by reflective surfaces
- Inspect cable glands, junction boxes and housings for water ingress
- Reseat BNC/RJ45 connectors that look corroded
Storage & recording
- Read SMART data, a surveillance HDD showing reallocated sectors is on borrowed time
- Confirm continuous recording is active on every channel with the expected retention window
- Test playback across all cameras for the last 24 hours and 7 days
- Only fit surveillance-grade drives (WD Purple, Seagate SkyHawk), desktop drives fail within months
- Back up any critical clips to external media before servicing
Network & remote viewing
- Sign into the mobile app and confirm live view + playback works over 4G/5G
- Check DDNS or P2P (Hik-Connect, EZVIZ, etc.) is registered and online
- Update DVR/NVR firmware to the latest stable release
- Review admin credentials, replace any default or shared passwords
- Confirm the recorder is on a UPS or filtered power supply
Power & environment
- Test PoE switch port voltages, long cable runs can drop below spec over time
- Check PSUs for bulging capacitors or heat damage
- Ensure the recorder has clear ventilation and dust-free fans
- Verify battery-backed clocks and confirm the on-screen time is accurate
Compliance & handover
- Update the system log book with the service date and findings
- Confirm GDPR signage is still legible at every entrance covered
- Refresh the operator on new features, motion zones or recording changes
- Leave written recommendations for anything not fixed on the day
Prefer we do it?
We service CCTV systems across Kent and South East London, including systems we didn't install. A full health check typically takes 60-90 minutes and covers everything on this checklist. Call 01634 944161 or use the form below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about CCTV servicing
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