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Landscape lighting is more than an aesthetic home improvement; it’s also an essential security feature. Provided it’s well maintained and in good working order – especially during the harshest of weather – outdoor lighting not only amps up your curb appeal but it gives the dark recesses of your garden much-needed visibility.
If you’re in Texas, specifically North Texas, you’ll know all about storm damage. Storms can wreak havoc on your home, so much so that an estimated 23 million dollars in damages have been caused by Texas lightning alone since 1995.
Even with the best installations and built-in precautions, lighting fixtures are not immune to the battering effects of mother nature, and if a storm has hit your home, you might be asking yourself, “why are my landscape lights not working?”
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What Should I Do First?
If you’re the sort who believes prevention is better than cure, you might minimize the risk of shorts by cutting the power before the storm. But maybe you didn’t have the luxury of being home in time to do this.
It’s essential that you take a quick look around before the power is restored. You’re looking for exposed wires and damaged fixtures. Don’t try to fix these yourself. What may seem like a broken bulb could be a bigger problem, and you don’t want to damage the system further.
If water has affected your transformer, it will not function. Be sure to call us for a more thorough inspection to prevent electrical shorts from when the power is restored.
Why Are My Landscape Lights Not Working?
This is a daunting question for many people, but sometimes the solution to fixing the problem is less complicated than you might think. For example, it could be that your ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) has tripped.
Water damage is common during heavy storms, and it’s not unheard of for water to get into compromised or exposed electrical outlets. This is why fail-safes are built into these systems.
GFCI and Circuit Breakers
First, check your circuit breaker panel to see if any breakers have tripped. If no fault can be found, it might be that the weather has destroyed the infrastructure connecting your home to the utility grid. A quick call to your neighbors or utility company will verify this.
The next inspection will be at the GFCI. If you don’t know where to find it, it could be in a few places. Have a look in or near the garage; if it’s not there, it could be in the basement or near a bathroom.
Of course, if you don’t find it outside, there is a slight chance that it’s inside, hidden in the back of a (coat) closet. You’re looking for an outlet with two buttons, “Test” and “Reset,” between the plugs.
If you want an additional precaution, accessories like bubble covers help circumvent the problem of water damage.
It Could Be Time to Replace The GCFI
When a GFCI gets old, they become more sensitive and prone to tripping. If yours keeps tripping, it could be that it’s worn, and getting a new one installed can resolve this. You will need an expert to fix the problem for this type of electrical work.
Consider the Location of Your Outdoor Lighting
Corrosion to light sockets is something you want to avoid. While it may be true that outdoor lights are designed to be water and weatherproof, it doesn’t mean that they need to endure complete exposure.
A simple solution is to keep them close to your house, under the cover of your porch or overhang. An awning is another option if you need your lights a little further than your porch. And if your lights are further out in the garden, you might consider covering them with a tarp.
Your Timer Isn’t Functioning
Severe storms can be a leading cause of power outages. But, sometimes, it’s as simple as “turning it off and on again.” So, find the control box and push for the “R” or “Reset” button. If this doesn’t do the trick, it may be time to replace the timer with a new one.
If your lighting is equipped with an Astronomical Timer, the timer switches to battery mode when the power goes out, but remember, there is a limit to how long the battery can last.
Possibly a Larger Issue
If none of those faulty lighting tips work, then it’s time to admit defeat and call in the professionals. Don’t be hard on yourself, though – you gave it a good try!
If we installed your landscape lighting at The Perfect Light, you’ll be happy to know that we offer expert maintenance for any lighting installed, from outdoor lighting to Christmas lighting.
Our maintenance services only apply to the lighting we have installed, so if you’re not yet one of our clients, don’t delay in contacting us to get you set up and shining bright.
Now Let There Be Light
Texas can get some extreme weather conditions that can cause damage to several parts of your home, especially your outdoor lighting. After all, it’s out there in the elements day and night.
You never want to have to ask yourself, “why are my landscape lights not working?” again, so if you’re in North Texas, contact us, and we can assist with getting you set up with the best lighting.
We at The Perfect Light have 20+ years of experience which has helped us master designing and installing lighting. We are dedicated to keeping your lights on and looking great.