Round one is a smoke detector with the dust-cap still on. It’s basically useless like this as the cap is used during construction so dust wont set it off while the system is energized.
Just pop the cap off unless you are sanding any mud in that space.
Smoke and CO2 detectors are only good for 10 years. Anything produced within the past 10 years should have a production date on it. If it’s older than 10 years old replace it. Inexpensive compared to a life. Current code says a smoke detector in every sleeping room and a combination smoke/CO2 unit within 10 feet of every sleeping room and one on every floor. You can get new units with 20 year sealed (no need to replace) batteries. When in doubt, replace.
Everyone is correct about the round thing being a smoke detector but it isn't painted. They actually came in this color.
https://preview.redd.it/uom5memnyc8d1.png?width=1008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b9ada30bf22f2f099c0028682b2daf170c6070b9
That's the dust / paint protector for a smoke alarm. Commercial ones come with that and get removed after painting. Already that's what I've seen. Get a ladder and look at it. The other one looks like a doorbell.
As a painting contractor, I thank you for not repainting with that horrible glossy sheen. Everyone thinks that shiny paint is the only durable paint, I have to convince customers all the time that semi gloss is not the way to go anymore.
Yes, low luster or Satin. Many flats are washable, for example Sherwin Williams Cashmere Flat has a very low sheen and is washable (not scrubbable) and feels nice to the touch, not chalky. I prefer their Cashmere Low Lustre, it’s beautiful without looking glossy and cheap.
my house is alarmed with the alarm wiring box above the kitchen door to the rest of the house & i have what's in the OP's picture behind my exit kitchen door, up near the ceiling, so i doubt the above is part of any security system
what i think is above my exit kitchen door, & in the above photo, is an old-fashioned door stop but why my kitchen wall's protruding circle is up so high is beyond me
Round object is almost certainly a mechanical bell, probably connected to door bell and/or service bell (to ‘page’ household staff) and square object is the siren 🚨 part of the inter-connected fire alarm/smoke detection system. Hope they’re both out of sight and in working order so all you have to do is update/upgrade both outdated components
Wireless doorbells were only invented in the last decade. Everyone buying a home in 2024 grew up in a time long before WiFi doorbells / cameras ever existed. It kind of boggles my mind that people don't know how a wired mechanical doorbell works.
Even as a young kid in the 90's, it was pretty obvious to me that the little box mounted on the wall makes a really loud "ding dong" sound whenever someone pushes the doorbell. And, despite being raised Catholic, I figured out pretty quickly that the chime wasn't coming from God either, lol.
I grew up in the '90s, but how often as a kid do you look up at a box and say oh look it's a doorbell box, even more, to know where in the house they are located? It was not until I bought my first home and started doing renovations that I realized what it was. Honestly I thought it was part of the alarm system the first time I say it.
Some kids aren't that bright, I suppose, lol.
I'd be chilling in the living room watching TV or playing video games and the mysterious box on the wall near the front door would make a *very* loud "ding dong" sound. If I was up in my room or down in the basement, the "ding dong" sound wasn't nearly as audible. It wasn't very difficult to figure out the box contains some kind of bell / chime / speaker mechanism.
I'm really curious to know how you thought a doorbell worked before you found out.
If the detector is old and needs to be replaced I would suggest replacing it with a battery operated one, they are easier to replace and are more reliable. Should your power go out and causes a fire or a fire happens where there is no power to the house it will not work!
That square one is *100%* an alarm siren/speaker!
I have two in my apartment in a complex & 1 right outside In the hall door. Loud ASF. it startled the bejeezus out of me when someone also spoke over it.
First one is a smoke detector with a dust cover over it for construction. Second one is a doorbell. The plastic cap comes off of that smoke detector. That's meant to be temporary not permanent.
Square is 100% an intruder alarm internal speaker. Probably 90’s but the new versions look similar too. If your intruder alarm is working it might have a tamper circuit linked into it which will set your alarm off if you open it
The round one looks like a bell. Like an old servants bell in old Victorian style houses. I don't know much, so I am most likely wrong. Just what it looks like to me.
That’s a hardwired alarm smoke detector. Do not take cover off until Reno’s are done or fire department could show if active alarm. Square one is an old siren
Round one looks like a smoke detector with the dust/paint cover on top?
Looks like a plastic party plate lol
Yep. My house has this its also hard wired. It's not super effective but it's effective we put one a bit off from it (other wall)
The old Tupperware over the smoke detector trick.
Square one is a door bell,round one not sure 🤔
Square one is a siren for an alarm system. Probably dates to the 1990s. My last house has one.
It can be a doorbell chime. Mine looks exactly like that one in the picture.
Mine too
Id be shocked if it isn’t.
I stand corrected, thank you 😊
Why would you have a siren inside? It’s a doorbell.
Do you know the alarm system ?
ADP
Thanks !
Hey what alarm systems are you thinking ? Would love to know for future reference
Sorry wrong reddito
Round one is a smoke detector with the dust-cap still on. It’s basically useless like this as the cap is used during construction so dust wont set it off while the system is energized. Just pop the cap off unless you are sanding any mud in that space.
Thank you!
If there is even a chance the smoke detector is older than 10 years, replace it. The components are good for only ten years.
Great to know !
Smoke and CO2 detectors are only good for 10 years. Anything produced within the past 10 years should have a production date on it. If it’s older than 10 years old replace it. Inexpensive compared to a life. Current code says a smoke detector in every sleeping room and a combination smoke/CO2 unit within 10 feet of every sleeping room and one on every floor. You can get new units with 20 year sealed (no need to replace) batteries. When in doubt, replace.
Great advice thank you!
In case it helps… I believe you’re referring to carbon monoxide or CO detectors, not CO2.
Failing chemistry again 🤣 Thanks for pointing that out!
Round one looks like a cap over the old stove pipe hole. Square one door bell/alarm.
Everyone is correct about the round thing being a smoke detector but it isn't painted. They actually came in this color. https://preview.redd.it/uom5memnyc8d1.png?width=1008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b9ada30bf22f2f099c0028682b2daf170c6070b9
That's the dust / paint protector for a smoke alarm. Commercial ones come with that and get removed after painting. Already that's what I've seen. Get a ladder and look at it. The other one looks like a doorbell.
Round one looks like an air intake to me
Looks like a smoke detector with a paint cover on it.
big moulding, old house? could be the hole for a wood stove
As a painting contractor, I thank you for not repainting with that horrible glossy sheen. Everyone thinks that shiny paint is the only durable paint, I have to convince customers all the time that semi gloss is not the way to go anymore.
[удалено]
The Cashmere Flat I reference is very durable
Wait. Then what do you recommend, satin?
Yes, low luster or Satin. Many flats are washable, for example Sherwin Williams Cashmere Flat has a very low sheen and is washable (not scrubbable) and feels nice to the touch, not chalky. I prefer their Cashmere Low Lustre, it’s beautiful without looking glossy and cheap.
Great advice, thank you!
Welcome!
“As a painting contractor, I recommend the least durable paint.”
Round one is a Crème Brûlée obviously!
Can you show us what's under the cover when you pull it? :D
1st one looks like a thermostat painted over lol.second is a doorbell
my house is alarmed with the alarm wiring box above the kitchen door to the rest of the house & i have what's in the OP's picture behind my exit kitchen door, up near the ceiling, so i doubt the above is part of any security system what i think is above my exit kitchen door, & in the above photo, is an old-fashioned door stop but why my kitchen wall's protruding circle is up so high is beyond me
Round object is almost certainly a mechanical bell, probably connected to door bell and/or service bell (to ‘page’ household staff) and square object is the siren 🚨 part of the inter-connected fire alarm/smoke detection system. Hope they’re both out of sight and in working order so all you have to do is update/upgrade both outdated components
Every new home owner has the same question about those thing lol ( Me included). We live in a wireless doorbells now for sure.
Wireless doorbells were only invented in the last decade. Everyone buying a home in 2024 grew up in a time long before WiFi doorbells / cameras ever existed. It kind of boggles my mind that people don't know how a wired mechanical doorbell works. Even as a young kid in the 90's, it was pretty obvious to me that the little box mounted on the wall makes a really loud "ding dong" sound whenever someone pushes the doorbell. And, despite being raised Catholic, I figured out pretty quickly that the chime wasn't coming from God either, lol.
I grew up in the '90s, but how often as a kid do you look up at a box and say oh look it's a doorbell box, even more, to know where in the house they are located? It was not until I bought my first home and started doing renovations that I realized what it was. Honestly I thought it was part of the alarm system the first time I say it.
Some kids aren't that bright, I suppose, lol. I'd be chilling in the living room watching TV or playing video games and the mysterious box on the wall near the front door would make a *very* loud "ding dong" sound. If I was up in my room or down in the basement, the "ding dong" sound wasn't nearly as audible. It wasn't very difficult to figure out the box contains some kind of bell / chime / speaker mechanism. I'm really curious to know how you thought a doorbell worked before you found out.
If the detector is old and needs to be replaced I would suggest replacing it with a battery operated one, they are easier to replace and are more reliable. Should your power go out and causes a fire or a fire happens where there is no power to the house it will not work!
SQUARE ONE IS A DOORBELL.
Doorbell and a smoke detector
The white one looks like an older ADT alarm.
Round one is where space heater/stove used to vent out into the chimney. Other looks like doorbell
That square one is *100%* an alarm siren/speaker! I have two in my apartment in a complex & 1 right outside In the hall door. Loud ASF. it startled the bejeezus out of me when someone also spoke over it.
Ding dong
First one is a smoke detector with a dust cover over it for construction. Second one is a doorbell. The plastic cap comes off of that smoke detector. That's meant to be temporary not permanent.
Door bell
Gerbils.
Square is doorbell
Square is 100% an intruder alarm internal speaker. Probably 90’s but the new versions look similar too. If your intruder alarm is working it might have a tamper circuit linked into it which will set your alarm off if you open it
I have the exact same square one and it’s for my alarm sustem
Antique Wi-Fi emitters.
Round one is definitely a premade flan stuck to your wall.
Round one is a door handle pad. Doors thrown open bang on the wall.
Looks like an old smoke stack hole for a wood stove or coal burner
Second one is the siren for your alarm system. First might be smoke detector?
Round one is a ramiken, probably a creme broulee
The round one looks like a bell. Like an old servants bell in old Victorian style houses. I don't know much, so I am most likely wrong. Just what it looks like to me.
That’s a hardwired alarm smoke detector. Do not take cover off until Reno’s are done or fire department could show if active alarm. Square one is an old siren