How to Keep Your Permanent Outdoor Lighting System Secure?

Outdoor lighting beautifies your yard and keeps the area safe. Although permanent outdoor lights have a sturdy, weather-resistant design, they need maintenance. With minimal effort, you can keep these lights shining bright for several years. Your regular upkeep will prevent common issues, such as flickering or dim light. During the festive season, you will experience no problems. 

But, how should you maintain your permanent festive lights? A brief guide will help you maintain your outdoor lights regularly.

How do weather elements affect permanent Christmas lights?

High wind and debris may affect the Christmas lights installed in the outdoor space. Powerful gusts can damage the lighting fixtures and loosen the connections. Sometimes, parts are detached from the mountings. Small branches carried by wind may also hit your lights. After a heavy storm, you should check for any signs of cracks and chips.

Extreme temperatures and UV rays are also harmful to your outdoor lighting system. Low-quality plastic components used for the fixtures become brittle when exposed to sun rays for a prolonged period. Higher temperatures may also deteriorate components and cause warping issues. So, while buying the lights, check the materials used for fixtures.

Tips for maintaining your permanent outdoor festive lights

Regular cleaning

Your permanent outdoor lighting systems need cleaning to remove bugs and accumulated dust. The dirt buildups may reduce the brightness of your lights and make them shabby. Some people apply low-pressure cleaning techniques. But, you may also simply spray water on the lights. To clean the aluminum tracks, you can use a mild soap.

Apply sealant

Moisture intrusion may cause damage to your lights. So, sealing the cracks and gaps is the best way to prevent this issue. For instance, you have to apply a sealant to the seam between the mounting surface and the fixture base. If there are openings for wiring, use a weatherproof silicone caulk to seal them.

Check the cables

Wire inspection is the most significant part of your maintenance program. Check the cables regularly and keep everything safe. Worn-out wires may lead to outages and flickering lights. Call electricians to repair or replace the cables of your lights.

Inspect the lighting fixtures

Your outdoor lights need a thorough inspection every few weeks. You should check for damaged parts and rust in the lighting systems. It is also essential to tighten the loose connections and screws. Loose components will prevent the lights from working efficiently.

Minor damages can be fixed with your DIY efforts. But, if you find more complicated issues, call professionals for repair. They will replace the worn-out parts and secure the lighting system.

Replace the old and damaged bulbs

If you have noticed a burn-out or dim bulb, replace it. You may rely on experts to replace the lights. Use quality connectors to attach the lights. Make sure you have turned off the power during your bulb replacement. It will ensure no electrical shock and other risks.

Protection against bulbs

The warmth emitted by light fixtures is favourable to bugs. You might have noticed how moths and flies buzz around the outdoor lights. The best solution is to switch to high-quality outdoor LEDs. These lights produce less warmth and do not attract many bugs.

Another option is to install bat boxes and bird feeders in the area. They will encourage natural predators (such as birds and bats) to live in your area. 

Conclusion 

The brief guide will help you create a routine for maintaining permanent outdoor lights. If you have no DIY tools, hire professionals for inspection and repair services. The experts are also skilled at installing the lights properly.