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The Importance of Outdoor Lighting Maintenance

Just like a car or pool, landscape lighting systems do require regular routine maintenance, typically once a year. This routine maintenance can help prevent costly repairs in the future and keep your system looking its best. Here is a list of items we check for when maintaining your landscape lighting system.

1. Trimming plants and branches
One of the most important steps in maintaining landscape lighting is to cut back any vegetation that is on the fixture, too close to the fixture or blocking the light. Clearing away these obstructions will help avoid damage to your fixtures, allow the fixtures to properly illuminate and make it easier to perform other cleaning and maintenance tasks. If you have plant life that you wish to have mature over time, keep in mind an adjustment of the fixtures may be needed in the future.

2. Removal of debris from fixtures
This may include mud, dirt, fallen leaves or debris left from insects. This simple step can improve illumination and lengthen the life of your fixtures.

3. Looking for exposed or damaged wire
Even if your landscape lights were professionally installed, it is possible for cables to become exposed, which can lead to the damage of your electrical wires. This can happen if you have pets or children who like to play in the yard, harsh weather over time or high traffic areas.

4. Checking fixtures for damage
During a routine check, fixtures are inspected for broken lenses, dented metal, corrosion or other damage. The replacement of some parts of your fixtures may be needed. 

5. Replace lamps
Just like bulbs in your interior lighting fixtures, LED lamps do burn out over time and need to be replaced.

6. Clean metal or plastic components
Before cleaning the glass on landscape lighting fixtures, metal and plastic components can be cleaned with a soft rag and soapy water. If you maintain your own landscape lights and soapy water is not getting your fixtures clean, never use a harsh chemical cleaner before checking with the installer or manufacturer.

7. Clean glass lenses
As with metal or plastic components, a soft rag and soapy water should do. A gentle glass cleaner can also be used. 

8. Check and adjust fixtures
While your installer will have properly positioned your fixtures during installation, it is possible that some fixtures will need to be moved or adjusted later. Reasons for adjustments include, but are not limited to: changes in landscaping, ground settling, harsh weather, and accidental bumps.

If you have any questions regarding your landscape lighting fixtures or how to properly maintain them, we can help!
Give our office a call at 234.759.3096, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm.

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