There are numerous advantages to using outdoor lights. They make your place more beautiful and ensure that the place is secure, especially at night. However, outdoor lighting fixtures are subjected to several challenges that may impact their performance and durability. If you want your outdoor lights to last and to function with efficiency, it is high time that you shield them and maintain them adequately. This article will show you how to do that. I am going to cover relevant steps on how to protect your outdoor lighting in this article properly.
Common Types Of Challenges Faced By Outdoor Lighting
Before we discuss how to keep outdoor lights safe, it’s important to know what could harm them. Things like bad weather and pests can cause problems for outdoor light fixtures. These are some of the challenges that come with outdoor lighting.
- Weather Elements: Rain, snow, wind, and extreme temperatures can damage outdoor lights, causing rust and electrical damage.
- Insects: Some insects, such as ants and termites, can penetrate outdoor lights, thus causing them to develop some electrical problems and even get damaged.
- Vandalism: Outdoor lights often get broken or stolen.
- Electrical Issues: Issues such as bad connections, fluctuating power and even wiring issues may come into play when it comes to outdoor lights.
How To Protect Your Outdoor Lighting
1. Consider Proper Location
Keep your lights safe by mounting them in safe places. Store them on the roof to minimize sun exposure and damage. Use lights that go to the walls or ceiling for added security. And make sure not to put lights near trees so they don’t break in storms.
2. Choose Weather-Resistant Fixtures
Choose outdoor lights that are constructed from durable materials such as aluminium, stainless steel or brass. Make sure coatings or a finish protects them to prevent them from rusting or from adverse weather.
3. Proper Installation Techniques
Properly setting up outdoor lights is really important. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Use waterproof connectors and sealant to keep out water. Make sure lights are firmly attached and placed well to handle wind and weather.
4. Implementing Protective Measures
For additional outdoor light protection, use protective coatings to keep your lights safe from power surges. Also, cover the fibers with sealed boxes and allow them to dry. Use sprays or barriers to keep pests away and prevent them from accumulating around your lights.
5. Regular Maintenance Practices
Regular maintenance of outdoor light fixtures is required. Clean lenses, tighten connections, and replace old parts regularly. Identify the damage and repair it promptly.
6. Secure Against Vandalism
To prevent vandalism, install motion detection lights and security cameras near the street. Place them in well-lit areas with good visibility and use sturdy fixtures with safety screws to prevent damage.
How To Protect Outdoor Lights From Rain
To ensure that outdoor lights are not easily damaged by rain, they should be protected from rain. Here are some steps you can take to safeguard your outdoor lights from rain:
- Choose Weatherproof Fixtures: Choose outdoor lights with at least an IP65 IP rating that can withstand rain and dust. The IP65-rated outdoor lights are weatherproof and waterproof, making them suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
- Install Properly: Properly install outdoor lighting according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Properly cover all electrical connections with appropriate materials on walls, ceilings, or pillars using appropriate hardware.
- Use Waterproof Sealants: If fixtures are installed outdoors, make sure the holes are properly sealed to prevent water from leaking in. Use waterproof sealants or silicone caulking around outdoor light fixtures.
- Elevate Fixtures: Put outdoor lights in covered spots to avoid rain. Tilt them so water doesn’t gather around.
- Use Protective Covers: Cover outdoor lights, such as string lights, to keep them safe from rain and bad weather.
- Regular Maintenance: Check outdoor lights for damage and clean them if they are dirty. Whenever you see a broken part, replace it quickly.
How To Protect Outdoor Lights in Winter
Winter protection is necessary for outdoor lights to prevent damage from strong winds. Here are some tips to save outdoor lighting during the winter months.
- Choose Weatherproof Fixtures: Choose outdoor lighting designed to withstand water, snow, ice and other elements. I suggest using IP65-rated lights. These lights are weatherproof and will last a long time.
- Use Protective Covers: Protect outdoor lights from snow, ice and water with protective covers to prevent damage or damage.
- Install Fixtures Safely: Use durable hardware and follow instructions for attaching outdoor lighting to withstand wind and snow.
- Use LED Bulbs: LED bulbs last longer, are more energy efficient and work better in winter and outdoors. They handle cold and harsh weather conditions better than hot bulbs.
- Adjust Light Timers: Adjust light timers, especially for shorter winter days. Make sure they turn on earlier and stay on longer for safety.
- Clear Snow and Ice: To prevent damage, use a broom or brush to gently clear snow and ice around outdoor lights.
How To Stop Squirrels From Chewing Outdoor Lights
Squirrels are very habitual chewers, especially with regard to outdoor lights. There are many ways we can reduce (or eliminate) their chewing.
- Use Squirrel Repellents: Squirrel repellents can be used to repel squirrels. Repellents come in the form of sprays or small grains – and you just have to put them around your outdoor lights. They consist of natural ingredients that release odors or tastes that are distasteful for the squirrel.
- Install Physical Barriers: To potentially stop squirrels, build a barrier around your outdoor lights, which can use wire mesh or hardware cloth. Be sure to attach them well.
- Apply Spicy Substances: Squirrels don’t like spicy or strong smells. To keep them away, apply hot pepper wax or hot sauce to outdoor lights. Reapply regularly, especially after rainfall, to maintain effectiveness.
- Install Motion Sensing Devices: Set motion sensing devices around your outdoor lights. These devices will either make loud noises or flashlights, scaring the squirrels away and keeping them away from your lights.
- Trim Nearby Trees and Branches: If possible remove access branches that are near to the outdoor lights that squirrels may climb.
- Remove Food Sources: Squirrels are attracted to food near outdoor lights. To prevent any chewing onto your lights, remove bird feeders and spilled birdseed that are nearby.
Wrap-Up On How To Protect Your Outdoor Lighting
Lighting outdoors does not only add beauty to the home and compound but it plays a crucial role in security and safety needs. Shelter your lights to the environmental conditions, keep them safe from animals and the blowing winds, and also ensure that you clean and replace or renew the bulbs as often as possible. A little work can go a long way, and before you know it, you will have a lovely and relaxing space that comes to life at night.
Read Also: Can Outdoor Lights Be Used Indoors?
