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How To Weatherproof Your Outdoor Lighting for Year-Round Durability
Rain, snow, and changing seasons can take a toll on outdoor lighting — but with the right preparation, your investment can keep shining no matter what the forecast holds. A well-designed system not only brightens your space but also stands up to even the harshest weather. By choosing the right DEKOR® products and following a few proven practices, you’ll enjoy lighting that delivers lasting beauty, performance, and peace of mind. Choose Fixtures Built for the Elements Not all lights are created equal. When it comes to durability, start with fixtures designed for outdoor use that carry the appropriate IP (Ingress Protection) rating. This rating tells you how resistant a light is to dust and moisture, both of which can shorten its lifespan if not addressed. DEKOR outdoor fixtures are engineered for year-round use. Each is built with a powder-coated finish that resists corrosion and fading, plus sealed housings that protect sensitive components from moisture and temperature swings. Selecting the right fixture up front means you won’t have to replace lights every season. Use Waterproof Connectors for Reliable Performance Even the strongest light can fail if its connections aren’t protected. Electrical joints and splitters are often the most vulnerable parts of a system, small junctions that can expose circuitry to water, dirt, and corrosion. By installing waterproof connectors, splitters, and enclosures, you protect against shorts and extend the life of your entire setup. Safeguard Cables Underground Cables power your lights, which means they’re the backbone of your system. To keep them safe, bury wires 4–6 inches deep wherever possible. In areas with heavy foot traffic or exposure to lawn equipment, consider running cables through conduit for added protection. This simple step prevents accidental damage and shields wiring from weather extremes. Combined with DEKOR’s plug-and-play technology, it also makes your system easier to maintain and expand over time. Maintain and Clean Seasonally Outdoor fixtures naturally collect pollen, dirt, and debris. If ignored, this buildup can dim your lighting and strain components. Make it part of your seasonal routine to wipe down lenses, clear away leaves, and check seals for wear. In winter, gently brush snow from fixtures instead of scraping with metal tools that could scratch housings. During spring and fall, a quick rinse with a damp cloth keeps powder-coated finishes looking sharp. These small steps can add years of life to your system and keep your DEKOR lighting looking its best. Upgrade When the Time Is Right Technology and materials have advanced greatly in the last decade. If your system is older, it may not have been built for today’s outdoor challenges. Upgrading to DEKOR’s weatherproof lighting solutions gives you modern durability with premium finishes and LED efficiency. That means fewer repairs, lower energy use, and consistent performance season after season. Build a System That Shines in Every Season Weatherproofing your outdoor lighting doesn’t have to be complicated. By choosing durable fixtures, protecting your connections and cables, maintaining your system, and upgrading when needed, you’ll create a beautiful setup that performs flawlessly in any conditions. Explore DEKOR’s complete line of durable lighting to find fixtures designed to withstand the elements and keep your home glowing year-round.
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LED Light Maintenance - 6 Tips for Seasonally Repairing/Maintaining Your Deck, Dock & Landscape Lighting
In this post, we have put together 6 tips for checking your LED outdoor lighting system. This will help you ensure that everything is working efficiently and at its best. Check that all your lights are functional, it’s much easier to know what’s not working when the entire system is powered on. Check the output voltage of your transformer, anything less than 11vDC would require attention. Replace any burned out LEDs, using the same wattage LED. Increasing wattage can overload the circuit and decreasing it could increase the voltage going to your other fixtures, causing them to burn out prematurely. Bury exposed cables, in high traffic areas it may be common for cables to make their way to the surface. Ensuring all your cables are buried will reduce any trip hazards and prevent rodents from chewing through them. Checking for loose connections, if a light is dim or flickering you may want to double-check and see a cable is loose or has gone bad. Adding dielectric grease on connections you find that are loose. Dielectric grease will help fight corrosion and ensure longevity in your connections. Clean lenses and brush off fixtures. LEDs are known for maintaining a cool temperature, most LEDs won’t get hot enough to melt snow. Depending on the size of the fixture, you can use a toothbrush or broom to brush off any excess snow that may be piled up on your LEDs. Doing this two times a year should make your system last for many years and not keeping up with basic maintenance might cost you big in the future by forcing you to replace multiple fixtures and or/ multiple cables. Unsure of how long your warranty lasts? Please contact our customer care team to double-check your warranty period/ status. Not up to doing the maintenance yourself? Please contact us to see if there is a DEKOR PRO in your area that can assist.
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