Winter Landscape Lighting Maintenance Checklist
Prepare landscape lighting for winter by inspecting fixtures, checking controls, and identifying where snow removal could damage the installation. Lighting helps reveal a route; it does not prevent snow buildup or melt ice.
Inspect in daylight and after dark
Look for tilted stakes, exposed cable, damaged lenses, loose mounts, and fixtures buried by mulch or leaves. After dark, check entrances, step surfaces, and changes in direction. Note dark areas and glare before deciding to add fixtures.
Use approved cleaning methods
Isolate power before maintenance and follow the fixture manufacturer's care instructions. Do not assume metal polish is suitable for a brass-colored or coated housing. Abrasives and harsh cleaners can damage a finish or seal. Keep drainage and ventilation features clear as instructed.
Check seasonal timing
Review the clock, location, daylight-saving settings, and programmed off time. Astronomic controls depend on correct setup; photocells depend on their surroundings. Test the actual schedule rather than assuming every automatic control adjusts in the same way.
Plan around snow removal
Identify fixtures near plow, shovel, and snow-storage areas. Mark their locations in a way that does not obstruct travel. Do not pile snow against equipment or use fixtures as markers to push against. Reposition vulnerable equipment only using approved mounting and wiring methods.
Handle faults promptly
Take visibly damaged equipment out of service. If a protection device repeatedly trips, stop resetting it and arrange diagnosis. After major weather or snow removal, inspect for displaced fixtures and cable damage.
Keep a spring inspection on your property maintenance list. Seasonal changes in planting and ground level can alter an otherwise sound lighting layout.
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- Kevin Simon