As winter settles in, it is a good idea to start preparing your outdoor lighting for winterization. Some lights need to be cleaned and covered, other outdoor lighting might even need to be brought indoors. Landscape lighting maintenance during the winter season can extend the lifespan of your lights. Prepare for winter weather by making sure your outdoor lighting is safe and protected. Here, Georgia Lightscapes discusses a few winter maintenance tips to consider for 2022.
Winter Maintenance Tips:
Remove Debris From Fixtures
Leaves, dirt, and debris can dim or completely block the light from a fixture. For the best lighting effect, you want to keep your lenses clean, especially low-setting ground fixtures. Take a nonabrasive cloth and cleaner to clean your lenses. Some dirt and grime can get caked onto your lenses so it might take a few rounds of cleaning to get them back to perfect condition. If you live in a place that gets a good amount of snow, you may want to clear some of the snow from your fixtures. Halogen bulbs emit enough heat that may melt away most of the snow. LED bulbs, on the other hand, produce less heat and melt less snow.
Fix & Bury Exposed Wires
When the ground freezes and thaws, it can force wires to work their way above ground. Any exposed wire needs to be inspected and reburied before the ground freezes again. If you notice, exposed copper or a damaged wire, consider getting them repaired ASAP. Check with the company that installed your system to see if they have a dedicated landscape lighting service department that can make the necessary repairs for you.
Readjust Lighting Fixtures
Over time, outdoor lights can shift or get damaged from landscaping, snow, or wind. A helpful tip is to walk through your property every now and then to re-align any disrupted fixtures. Take extra care when removing snow or debris near in-ground lights. If a landscaping company is working on your property, let them know about fixture placements. The best way to maintain your landscape lighting system is to prevent accidental damages.
Check Bulbs
Extreme temperatures can shorten the lifespan of a bulb. Georgia Lightscapes recommends that you replace any bulbs as soon as they die. Once a bulb burns out, the remaining bulbs nearby receive more voltage, which in turn shortens their lifespan. Also, landscape lighting systems tend to run longer since there is less daylight in the winter months. Check your bulbs to make sure they are working to their maximum potential.
Check For Common Moisture-Related Issues
Water and electricity never mix well. More specifically, the melting of snow can trip your lighting outlets. If this happens, push the “reset” button on the outlet and make sure the cover is closed. Please use caution when dealing with electricity. Sometimes an outlet may simply need reset and closed properly. If the cover is damaged, you’ll want to get it replaced. If the outlet looks damaged or will not reset, you may need to contact a licensed electrician.
Call Us Today
Georgia Lightscapes, a top-rated outdoor lighting company in Atlanta, provides residential outdoor lighting for Metro Atlanta and most of Georgia. Our complete outdoor lighting services include design, installation, and superior service. Georgia Lightscapes works with you to design an outdoor lighting system that meets your budget and needs, whether it is to illuminate your home in the evening, your outdoor living areas for nighttime enjoyment, or provide functional lighting for increased safety and security. Georgia Lightscapes is a start to finish lighting installation company. Our goal is to see your home beautifully illuminated with outdoor lights and build a long-term relationship with our clients. Give us a call today!