Is Your Skybell Showing Signs of Water Damage?
A video doorbell is your first line of defence, but what happens when the elements fight back? Water damage can be a serious issue for any outdoor electronic device, including your Skybell. If you've noticed a foggy lens, poor performance after a storm, or a complete lack of response, water ingress could be the culprit. This guide is here to help you diagnose the symptoms of water damage and walk you through potential solutions to protect your device.
It's important to act quickly when you suspect water damage to prevent permanent failure. We'll cover everything from identifying the problem to implementing preventative measures for the future.
Identifying the Symptoms of Water Damage
Water damage doesn't always mean your device is submerged. Even a small amount of moisture can wreak havoc on sensitive electronics. Here are the most common symptoms you might encounter with your Skybell doorbell.
- Foggy Camera Lens: The most obvious sign is condensation or a foggy appearance inside the camera lens. This directly impacts video quality, making your feed blurry and unclear.
- Intermittent Power or Functionality: Your Skybell might start working sporadically. It could go offline and come back online without reason, or the button may only work sometimes.
- Muffled or Crackling Audio: Water can damage the microphone and speaker, leading to distorted, muffled, or crackling sounds, making two-way communication impossible.
- Malfunctioning LED Light: The main LED light may flicker, stay on permanently, or fail to light up at all, indicating an internal electrical issue.
- Unresponsive Button: The doorbell button may become completely unresponsive, failing to trigger a chime or send a notification when pressed.
- Visible Corrosion: In some cases, you might see rust or green/white corrosion around the seams of the device or on the electrical contacts on the mounting plate.
How to Troubleshoot a Water-Damaged Skybell
If you believe your Skybell has been damaged by water, it's essential to take immediate and careful steps to prevent further harm.
1. Prioritise Safety: Disconnect the Power
Before you do anything else, you must disconnect the power to the doorbell. This usually involves turning off the relevant breaker in your home's electrical panel. This prevents the risk of electrical shorts, which can permanently destroy the device's circuitry.
2. Dry the Exterior
Using a soft, microfibre cloth, gently wipe down the entire exterior of the Skybell. Remove all visible water from the casing, button, and lens area. Do not use a high-heat source like a hairdryer, as this can cause more damage.
3. Inspect for the Point of Entry
Carefully examine the device and its installation.
- Is the mounting plate flush against the wall?
- Are there any visible cracks or damage to the casing?
- Is the doorbell exposed directly to rain, or is it sheltered?
Understanding how the water got in is key to preventing a recurrence. Often, water seeps in from behind the unit if it's not sealed correctly against the wall.
4. Allow for Drying Time
In cases of minor moisture, such as a bit of condensation, the issue might resolve itself. If you live in a dry climate, leaving the device for a day or two (with the power off) may allow the internal moisture to evaporate. However, this is not a guaranteed fix.
5. Check Your Warranty and Contact Support
Before you consider opening the device, check your warranty status. Disassembling your Skybell will almost certainly void your warranty. The best course of action is to contact Skybell's official support team. Describe the symptoms and your suspicion of water damage. They can provide authorised advice and inform you of your options for replacement or repair.
Proactive Steps to Prevent Future Water Damage
Prevention is always better than a cure. Here's how to safeguard your Skybell against the elements.
- Choose a Sheltered Location: If possible, install your Skybell under a porch, eave, or awning to protect it from direct rainfall.
- Use a Weather Shield: Several third-party companies manufacture weather-resistant covers and shields specifically for Skybell models. These can provide an excellent extra layer of protection.
- Apply a Silicone Sealant: When installing your Skybell, apply a thin bead of clear, weatherproof silicone sealant around the edges of the mounting bracket where it meets the wall. This creates a waterproof barrier, preventing rain from running down the wall and getting behind the unit.
- Ensure Proper Installation: Make sure the device is securely attached to the mounting bracket and that the bracket is installed correctly, without any gaps.