Outdoor lighting problems can be frustrating.
Although Spring is still a ways away, warmer temperatures and longer days are already upon us. There’s nothing better than spending a warm, relaxing evening in your backyard or patio. And when you’re outside after dark, you’ll need quality lighting to keep you safe.
But what do you do when your outdoor lighting malfunctions? Outdoor lighting problems can be frustrating. So, let’s take a look at common landscape lighting issues and the best solutions. No matter the problem, you’ll find answers to the most common problems with your exterior lights.
Bulbs Burn Out Quickly
Fixtures exposed to wind and moisture are prone to premature burnout. Water and dirt can enter the fixture, corrode the socket, or cause a bad connection.
You must use wet-rated ‘outdoor’ bulbs for fixtures exposed to the elements. These bulbs are sealed to protect against moisture and fogging. This protects the bulb from environmental contaminants that can cause corrosion and premature failure.
There are different types of outdoor bulbs: wet-rated or damp-rated. Damp-rated bulbs can withstand some moisture but not direct exposure to water. Suitable locations for these include covered porches and decks. Wet-rated bulbs can withstand rain, dripping water, or standing water, making them suitable for walkways, patios, gazebos, docks, and stairs
Flickering Lights
Intermittent and flickering lights are caused by a faulty connection in the socket or a defective light bulb.
A lousy bulb can strain the fixture and cause overheating or burning. If a bulb has been in use for too long, it produces an inconsistent light level, creating the appearance of flickering. Always check connections before replacing bulbs.
If a faulty connection is the cause, shut off power to the fixture and tighten all connections in the socket. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to replace the light socket with a new one with a built-in ground wire.
Lights Don’t Turn On And Off Automatically
If your lights aren’t turning on and off at the right time, two things could be causing this problem:
- Your timer might be broken. If so, you’ll need to replace it. A professional should replace timers on outdoor lighting systems.
- The photocell might be broken or covered in dirt or dust, preventing it from functioning correctly. Clean your photocell first before replacing it. Depending on the manufacturer, you’ll find it mounted either on top of or next to your transformer.
Lights Are On During the Day
The most common cause of this issue is an improperly installed photocell. If it’s backward or facing the wrong direction, it won’t sense darkness or signal the lights to turn on. Remove the photocell and reposition it to face away from direct sunlight to correct this. Pointing a photocell north is generally considered the best practice in the Northern Hemisphere.
Interested in Improving Your Outdoor Living Space? Consider Landscape and Hardscaping Design Services from Carroll Landscaping
Carroll Landscaping has over 30 years of experience with landscape construction, porch construction, deck building, and hardscape installation. Our award-winning landscape designers are passionate about providing customers with top-notch service and landscape design. Our landscape designers have a creative design outlook and work as a team with our installation crews to make your vision a reality. We are committed to providing every customer with the highest quality workmanship, professional and knowledgeable service, and creativity in design in order to surpass our clients’ expectations in every aspect of the project.
We serve residents throughout the beautiful state of Maryland including Baltimore, Columbia, Ellicott City, Eldersburg, Clarksville, Sykesville, Manchester, Westminster, and Woodstock. For more information and to schedule a consultation with one of our expert designers, contact us online or give us a call at 410-922-2416.