If you have an existing outdoor lighting system that’s aged or fails to perform, you are not alone. It’s estimated that 85% of existing systems in this region are non-functioning. Upon inspection of your system, you may find fixtures or wiring made from materials that are lower quality or react negatively to the environment causing them to “age” prematurely and begin to malfunction. This can include singular light failures or a malfunction of your entire system. Degradation of an outdoor lighting system can occur as a result of many factors including the sun, salt air, and fixtures that are no longer water tight.
Damaged fixture.
When we encounter a lighting system in need of abundant repairs, we compile a list of recommendations to bring it to safely operable standards to discuss with the homeowners. Utilizing the many photos taken while visiting the property during our first service call, I can show the homeowners the pitfalls of poorly maintained outdoor lighting systems, abandoned properties and systems not installed by a professional.
Here is just a peek into some of the elements in need of attention or repair:
Exposed Wires: Exposed wires present a safety problem. Not only are the visible wires an eyesore from an aesthetic perspective, they can also become a hazard prone to cause trips and falls. In addition, wire exposures can easily cause damage to your system during routine lawn and garden maintenance. Weed eaters, trimmers and lawn mowers can easily splice or damage the wiring. All cables and wires leading to the fixtures from the transformer should also be put in conduit to prevent any possible damage by landscape maintenance.
— Recommended resolution: We recommend inspecting the existing wiring for nicks or tears that may influence proper operation. In addition we advise burying the wire at the appropriate depth to ensure no exposure and ensure safety.
- Corroded fixtures: Fixture corrosion is an issue for many Floridians. The heavy content of salt present in the air, combined with humid and moist conditions make the perfect catalyst for corrosion on exterior surfaces. Outdoor lighting fixtures can take a beating if not constructed from the right materials. Many inferior fixtures are made from PVC, composites and spun aluminum. These materials cannot stand up to living in a coastal climate, and over time, will begin to degrade. In some cases degradation can begin very quickly.
Corrosion can limit the light output in your fixtures
— Recommended resolution: Fixture replacement/upgrade: Here at Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Clearwater & Tampa Bay our fixtures are made exclusively for us and are made of only the highest quality materials, including solid copper and solid brass. Our fixtures stand up well to salt-corrosive environments. Our copper fixtures even patina beautifully blending seamlessly into the landscape.
- Rusty and overloaded transformer: This one is important as the transformer serves as the “brains” behind the operation of your entire system. Rust and corrosion can cause transformers to fail. As you can also see from the picture to the left, haphazard wiring is present as well which can also become a safety concern.
— Recommended resolution: The only way to rectify this element is replacement of the existing transformer with a new transformer which is appropriate for the voltage being carried for this particular system.
With a better understanding of each of these elements individually you gain a clear picture of how each of these implements impact the entire outdoor lighting system as a whole. Professional outdoor lighting is cohesive and works together to create a safe, functional and beautiful system. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of using a professional, experienced outdoor lighting design and install company for your outdoor lighting needs.
Along with designing and installing new outdoor lighting systems, upgrading old or failing systems is part of our expertise here at Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Clearwater & Tampa Bay! We can inspect your system thoroughly to determine whether or not it can be upgraded to a higher quality low voltage system or even an LED system utilizing a portion the existing infrastructure. Up until recently in order to switch a system to LED required a homeowner to purchase all new light fixtures. Luckily that is no longer the case. If the fixtures are of good quality, they can easily be retrofitted to LED with new bulbs. When we come to retrofit a system, we will be sure to check the condition of not only your fixtures, but also your wire and transformer, leaving you with what feels like a brand new system.
Let Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Clearwater & Tampa Bay come to the rescue of your aged, abandoned or failing outdoor lighting system. We can even revive a system that has not been properly maintained during its lifetime. We’ll inspect your existing system and recommend repairs and upgrades to get your existing system running like new! Contact us today to learn more at (727) 785-6000 or (813) 237-0340 or email us at clearwater.outdoorlights.com