Protecting Outdoor Lights From Salt Air and Humidity
Outdoor lighting can transform your home in countless ways. Perfectly placed lights can boost safety, highlight landscaping, make your favorite outdoor spaces more functional, and set a stunning ambiance. However, Florida’s environment isn’t the most forgiving for outdoor fixtures.
It’s a problem Floridians are all too familiar with. High humidity mixed with salty air equals frequent damage! Without taking the proper precautions, outdoor lights don’t last long in the Sunshine State.
Fortunately, there are ways to overcome those challenges and more. Keep reading to learn how you can protect your outdoor lights with advice from Mister Sparky, America’s trusted, on-time electrician.
Why Salt Air and Humidity are Tough on Outdoor Lights
Living in Central Florida, you might think you’re safe from salty, humid air. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Florida Factor
Here’s the thing: Orlando is just an hour’s drive away from the Atlantic coast. While coastal dwellers certainly have greater challenges with salty air, so do those living inland.
Salt air can affect metals more than 50 miles inland! Not only that, but Orlando’s city limits are home to more than 100 lakes, making high humidity levels a year-round issue.
Humid, salty air affects the entire state, making corrosion and moisture an ever-present problem for outdoor lights.
The Effects of Salt Air
The air carries tiny salt particles that can cling to everything around your home, especially metal. With moisture in the air and frequent rains, the salt dissolves and forms an electrolyte solution that accelerates rusting and corrosive damage. It creates one of the most destructive environments for outdoor lights.
Over time, that salty air will break down the metal in your outdoor lights. The results are ugly: Peeling finishes, pitted metal, and potential electrical malfunctions.
The Problem with Humidity
Florida’s humid environment can also be disastrous for low-quality lighting. In Orlando, the year-round relative humidity is around 74 percent. It can be higher during the spring and summer months and rarely falls below 50 percent.
Moisture can cling to lights, promoting the development of rust and mineral buildup. Furthermore, humid air can cause electrical shorts and damage sockets without proper sealing.
As if that weren’t bad enough, condensation can form inside light fixtures. It’s an issue that most don’t realize exists until long after a light is no longer working.
Protect Outdoor Lights by Choosing the Right Fixtures:
Let’s talk protection.
There are several steps you can take to combat the effects of humidity and salty air. However, the first line of defence is choosing the right fixtures.
Opt for Corrosion-Resistant Lights
In Florida, corrosion-resistant features are a must. There are plenty of lights built with a coastal style, mimicking marine-grade fixtures. However, when you need to protect outdoor lights from genuine environmental challenges, choose lights that are the real deal.
Select fixtures built of marine-grade metals, as they’re purpose-built to withstand corrosion, rusting, and water damage. Many manufacturers produce lights using marine-grade alloys. Plastic housings are also a worthy choice.
Alternatively, you can choose lights built of non-ferrous metals, which don’t contain any appreciable amount of iron. Good examples include copper and brass. These metals have an impressively high resistance to rusting and corrosion.
Another option is to look for special coatings. Powder-coated steel or aluminum features a durable layer of protection that acts as a physical barrier between the metal and the humid, salty air.
Choose Fixtures with a High IP Rating
To combat humidity and moisture, stick to lights with a high IP rating. IP ratings indicate a fixture’s resistance to dust and liquids. The higher the rating, the greater the protection.
Features like sealed-gasket enclosures and moisture-proof lenses typically result in a higher IP rating, signaling that a light offers good protection against the elements. What rating should you look for? In Florida, it’s best to choose lights with an IP65 rating or higher.
Go LED
Finally, consider going LED. Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, LED lights often have a better seal. That can help protect against corrosion, electrical issues, and condensation buildup.
Plus, LED lights last longer and are tougher against whatever Mother Nature throws your way.
Smart Installation for Better Protection
Beyond choosing the right types of fixtures, you can protect outdoor lights through strategic installation. Mister Sparky can do the heavy lifting for you, installing lights in a way that minimizes exposure-related damage.
Installing Lights Under Eaves
Avoid mounting lights in areas with high potential for moisture. Examples include areas along the path of sprinklers, downspouts, or pool decks.
The best place for outdoor lighting is under eaves, awnings, and deck covers. While humid salt air can still impact lights in these locations, decreased exposure reduces the risk of damage.
Using Sealed Connections
At Mister Sparky, we can utilize sealed electrical connections to prevent water ingress that may lead to corrosion and electrical shorts.
Weatherproof junction boxes, rubber gaskets, outdoor-rated caulking, and built-in light enclosure protections are paramount for fighting salt air and humidity.
Ensuring Natural Drainage
If condensation builds up within light housings, ensure that it can flow out. Consider installing fixtures at a slight angle. Not only will that allow gravity to do its thing, but angled positioning is often better for light coverage.
Protect Outdoor Lights with Solid Maintenance
Even after a successful installation, proper maintenance is key to preventing damage to your outdoor lights.
Make it a habit to examine and clean lights regularly.
Cleaning will remove any salt buildup, minimizing the risk of corrosion. Plain water will do. If there are more stubborn messes to clean, use a gentle cleaner that won’t damage existing protective coatings.
During those cleaning sessions, take a quick look at any gaskets, seals, and screws to ensure they are in good condition. Inspect the fixture’s housing for signs of corrosion or rust. Rusting can spread rapidly once it starts, but acting quickly can prevent that.
Screws are often the first to go. Replacing them can prevent the corrosion from taking over. If any other parts have damage, replace them as well to maintain protection.
Upgrade Your Outdoor Lights with Help from Mister Sparky
Tired of constantly having to replace your outdoor lights due to water damage or corrosion? Don’t put up with any malarky, call Mister Sparky! Our licensed electricians in Orlando can help you install higher-quality lights and keep them shining bright.
We offer prompt, friendly service and are always available to help you make the right decisions for your home. Reach out to Mister Sparky to learn more about what we do and book your appointment with Orlando’s most trusted electricians today!
