A lot of people might not know that landscape lighting is a big business nowadays because it’s a very popular way to make your outdoor spaces look beautiful. Unfortunately, there are some things you need to be aware of to install or repair landscape lighting so here are the Dos and Don’ts.
Do learn about what kind of landscape lighting you want before buying it. Find out how many lights are needed, the diameter of the cable, where to terminate it, and if you need any special tools or equipment. Be sure to ask your supplier these questions so they can help guide you through the process. Also, decide whether you want hardwired or plug-in fixtures because each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Don’t purchase cheap landscape lighting because although it’s very inexpensive, there’s a reason for this—it won’t last long! And since most repairs are costly, it will end up costing more to fix poorly made fixtures than if you had just spent a little extra on better quality ones in the beginning.
Take into consideration the type of landscape lighting you want to install—is it solar, low-voltage, or high-voltage? You can find out more about each kind if you do a quick Google search. If you have young kids or pets, go with a highly-rated solar system because they’re considered safe and shouldn’t shock anyone who touches them.
Do check the condition of the cables before installation. They should be flexible and not brittle, cut, or burned from torches or cigarettes. Also make sure that no wires are exposed, as this is an extreme fire hazard!
Don’t start digging until you speak with local authorities as some areas don’t allow outdoor lighting installations for various reasons such as protecting wildlife habitats at night. Make sure you follow all directions when installing landscape lighting because if you don’t, they could charge the expenses to you.
Do be aware of how many fixtures are allowed per circuit breaker. If there is too much load on the same circuit, it could trip and create a potential fire hazard. You can hire an electrician to come out and do an inspection before installation just to make sure everything will run smoothly. They’ll also know which permit is needed for your area so that’s another thing you won’t have to worry about!
Don’t underestimate how much time it might take for installation since landscape lighting requires wiring, digging holes in the ground, and mounting lights onto poles or walls. It can get pretty complicated depending on what type of lighting system you decide on, so make sure you allow enough time and don’t try to do it alone!
Do check with your homeowner’s insurance company before installation as some companies will only pay the cost of replacement if all landscaping lights are stolen or vandalized. You’ll want to lower your premium as much as possible if this is the case, which means purchasing a better quality product that won’t be an easy target for criminals.
Do make sure you hire a professional electrician if you feel like your repairs are beyond your expertise level. If it’s not repaired correctly, there might be some safety issues involved with using the landscape lighting at night so ask for references before hiring someone.
Don’t let friends or family try to repair landscape lighting unless they’re trained electricians because it could end up creating more problems than originally anticipated! Also, never work on old fixtures that contain high voltage wiring as this can be extremely dangerous and create potential fire hazards too.
Do install motion-sensor lights since criminals tend to commit crimes when no one is around at night. And also always remember to turn off all the outdoor lights every night before bedtime to save energy.
