A well-lit landscape can enhance safety, improve your home’s aesthetic, and increase its resale value. However, like any lighting system, it requires routine care and maintenance to perform at its best.
Oftentimes, the problem with your landscape lights is due to poorly made wire connections. Water can enter these connections and corrode them over time, leading to failure. Contact Landscape Lighting Repair Orlando for professional help.
A well-designed landscape lighting system can transform a home into the crown jewel of the neighborhood. But a landscape lighting system requires regular maintenance to keep its beauty and function at its best. This means replacing bulbs, repairing damaged fixtures and cleaning the fixture glass, metal and plastic components. And sometimes it just means making sure the system has the right amount of power to each light.
The landscape lighting system is powered by a transformer that delivers a safe voltage to each fixture via wire connections. When these connections become loose, electricity jumps between them and generates heat that can melt the connections or in extreme cases cause a fire. Keeping these connections tight and physically checking them on a routine basis will help avoid costly repairs in the future.
When one or more of the lights in a landscape lighting system stop working, the first thing to check is whether or not it is receiving power from the transformer. You can do this by plugging in a new bulb, which will tell you if the socket is corroded or not getting enough current to work properly. It is also a good idea to have a digital voltage meter on hand, which will make it much easier to figure out exactly what’s going on with the fixture.
Next, it’s a good idea to make sure the total wattage of all the lights in the system doesn’t exceed 80% of the transformer’s capacity. If you have too many lights connected to the transformer it may trip the breaker, and then none of the lights will turn on. This is another reason why updating the old lamps in your landscape lighting system with higher quality LEDs is a wise investment, because you will never have to worry about these problems again.
It’s also a good idea to check the wiring for damage, which can be caused by dogs digging in the yard, harsh weather over time or even just over-tightening of the connections. If you find that the wires are exposed, it is a good idea to call in a professional electrician to re-wire the entire system and rebury the wires.
Sockets
Flickering landscape lighting is not only unattractive but can also create a dangerous situation. When a landscape light fixture is flickering it means that it has an electrical problem that needs to be addressed. Electrical problems are typically caused by bad sockets or a power outlet that has been overloaded with too many appliances on the same circuit. A qualified electrician should be called to diagnose and repair these problems.
Sockets are the part of the fixture that the bulb is plugged into. Over time, they can wear out and no longer make a good contact with the bulb. This causes the fixture to malfunction and may cause it to flash or stop working altogether. When this happens, it is best to have a professional evaluate and replace the socket to prevent further damage.
One way to prevent this is by using fixtures without sockets that are designed for permanent use in the ground. This will help reduce the amount of moisture that can get into the fixture and corrode it over time.
Another way to protect your investment in a quality landscape lighting system is by having it regularly maintained by a qualified electrician. This can help to detect any problems before they get out of hand and minimize the number of replacement bulbs needed.
Other potential problems can include damaged wiring or underground wires that are exposed to the elements. This is especially common in homes with older wiring that is starting to break down. It is also important to have your utilities marked before you dig for any landscaping projects, so that you don’t accidentally cut or damage any underground lines.
When you have a well-maintained landscape lighting system, you will be able to enjoy it for years to come. It will enhance your property at night and provide safety to visitors and guests on the premises. It will also increase the value of your home and make it more attractive to prospective buyers. It is a smart investment for your home. For the best results, you should have your lighting system professionally installed and maintained to keep it in top condition.
Gaskets
The gaskets in your landscape lighting fixture are vital to a properly functioning system. Without them, the fixtures will not be able to seal off the internal components from moisture and other elements that can lead to corrosion and short circuiting. The best way to keep your gaskets in good shape is to make sure that they are clean, which is usually as simple as a quick wipe down with a rag and a little water. If the fixtures are particularly dirty or rusty you can use some stronger chemicals (be careful to test any cleaners in an inconspicuous area first) to clean them.
Most of the time a lighting system needs repairs it is because of an outdoor environment, not an indoor environment. Lighting fixtures are exposed to all sorts of things that can affect their function, from people digging in the wrong spot and cutting a wire to children playing and knocking over path lights.
In some cases, homeowners and even landscape maintenance personnel accidentally bury the fixtures with mulch or debris, blow leaves into or onto them, or otherwise compromise their ability to aim their light beams properly. A professional landscape lighting installation will always include some level of annual maintenance to take care of these issues and more.
Landscape lighting systems are a great investment, providing beauty and security for your home. But like all investments, they require some regular care to remain in good working condition. With a little bit of regular routine maintenance, you can avoid many landscape lighting repair situations that could cost you a lot of money if they were to occur. Remember, though that any electrical work is best done by a licensed and insured electrician. If you’re not comfortable or don’t have the time to take care of your landscape lighting maintenance, consider a monthly service agreement with a lighting company to make sure that it remains in optimal working condition. Keeping your home well-lit can also deter crime and help prevent accidents that could occur in poorly-lit areas around the property.
Bulbs
Landscape lighting does so much to accentuate the beauty of your property at night, but it can’t do its job if it’s not working properly. Thankfully, it’s often simple to fix these types of problems with the right tools and knowledge.
Low voltage landscape lights are exposed to weather elements such as sun, wind and moisture on a daily basis. This can cause electrical problems in the form of corrosion, stripped wires and even short circuits. Whether these issues are caused by age, poor installation, or even just routine use, it is important to repair them quickly and thoroughly.
One of the most common landscape lighting repairs is a burnt out bulb. A burned out bulb can be easily replaced by using a replacement bulb of the same type and wattage. Before installing the new bulb, make sure it is securely seated in the fixture and that the prongs are firmly inserted. It is also a good idea to clean the bulb socket and check for corrosion. In many cases, a little bit of emery board or sandpaper can help remove any excessive amounts of corrosion and keep the socket from becoming damaged.
Corroded sockets can also be a sign of water ingress within the fixture. This can lead to a wide range of problems, such as short circuits, overheating and eventually fixture failure. A thorough inspection with a voltage meter can identify where the problem lies and determine if it is necessary to replace the fixture.
It is important to consider the location of each landscape light when choosing a bulb. If a fixture is located in a shady area, it may require a brighter or larger bulb than one in a sunny area. Similarly, a spotlight on the ground might need to be moved up or down in order to get the desired coverage.
The most common landscape lighting problem that we encounter is a broken stake. This can be caused by a variety of issues, including a loose connection to the transformer, or just plain old age. If the stake breaks, it should be replaced immediately to prevent further damage to the fixture and to the surrounding landscaping.