Preparing Your Outdoor Lights for Spring

When the weather warms up, it’s time to get your outdoor living spaces ready for backyard barbeques, evening pool parties, and cozy conversations around the firepit. While you’re washing down the patio furniture, planting flowers in the garden, and scooping leaves out of the pool, it’s also a great time to make sure your outdoor lights are ready for Spring.

What should you think about when preparing your outdoor lights for spring? Check out the following tips for some ideas.

Clean Fixtures

Spring cleaning isn’t just for the inside of your home. Winter weather can be tough on your outdoor lighting fixtures, leaving them dirty and dim. Use a soft cloth or sponge and avoid any abrasive cleaners or materials that could scratch or damage the fixtures or lenses. Soapy water or gentle cleaners are best to clean away accumulated dirt and debris. If you have solar lights, be sure to thoroughly clean the solar panels for optimal efficiency. 

Visually Inspect for Damage

Take the time to look at each fixture. If you notice any rust, cracks, loose or missing parts, or broken lenses, you should repair or replace the fixture. Check for loose connections and any exposed or frayed wiring. It’s important to replace faulty wiring as soon as possible to avoid a fire hazard. You might also need to re-bury any lines that have become exposed. 

Change Bulbs

Replace any bulbs that are burned out or have grown dim. If you haven’t made the switch to LED lights yet, spring maintenance would be an excellent time to do so. LED lights are much more energy-efficient and long-lasting than traditional bulbs, saving you time and money in the long run. 

Trim and Remove Vegetation

Your bushes and trees might have become overgrown during the winter months, which can often obstruct your outdoor lights and create unwanted shadows. By trimming and removing vegetation surrounding your lights, you can ensure lights along pathways and stairs and near your front door are bright enough to help you and any visitors safely navigate your property at night.

Adjust Positioning and Settings

Winter storms and animal activity can sometimes affect the positioning of your lights. Make sure to assess your property from the street at night to see what your lights are pointing at and whether they are highlighting your landscaping and your home the way you want. You might need to experiment with different angles and reposition your lights to get it just right.

Let Houston Lightscapes Help With Maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential to keep your outdoor lighting system functional and safe. The lighting professionals at Houston Lightscapes make it easy with our outdoor lighting maintenance and repair program. We take care of everything, including: 

• Changing bulbs
• Replacing sockets
• Checking voltage for safety
• Re-burying exposed lines
• Cleaning lenses
• Adjusting positioning of fixtures
• Clearing out overgrown foliage
• And more

We can even retrofit your existing system and upgrade you to more energy-efficient LED lights. Or, if you’re ready for a whole new lighting design to transform the look of your home, we can do that too. Give us a call today at (713) 461-3600 for a free consultation to find out more!