The summer is upon us. With this nice weather, one of the most popular things to do is light up the grill, invite friends over for a cold beer and barbecue, and enjoy conversation outside in the cool night air. Of course, you’ll want to make sure everything looks great out there before you have any people over. Installing a nice gazebo, building a fire pit, and mowing the lawn will all go a long way in giving your yard that classic American look, but you’ll also want to consider hanging rustic outdoor lighting fixtures that serve as both safety lights and aesthetic boosters.
If you’ve been thinking outdoor hanging lighting fixtures can bring that extra something to your home, here are four tips on making sure that your decorative outdoor lighting fixtures are great to look at and safe, for both you and your house guests.
Four Tips for the Homeowner Installing Outdoor Hanging Lighting Fixtures
- Be Sure You Get the Right Hanging Hardware
- Turn off the Power
- Be Smart when Running Your Cable
- Don’t Be Afraid to Consult a Professional Service
For This Old House, one of the most important parts about hanging outdoor hanging lighting fixtures safely is using the right hardware. Whether you’re using large outdoor lighting fixtures or a small pendant setup, choosing the right bolts, hanging medium, and so on will make sure your lamps stay in place. If you’re not sure what to use, talk to the pros at your local hardware store.
If you remember none of the other tips on this list, please, for your own safety, remember this one: you need to turn off the power before attempting to replace old fixtures or installing new ones. It will only take one accidental slip of your hand to make contact with an exposed wire to knock yourself unconscious, at the very least, as the Family Handyman points out.
As the DIY Network writes, you can’t just run normal cable outdoors and expect everything to be okay during a torrential downpour. You need to use PVC-sheathed cable to protect it from moisture. Your best bet is to run your cable underground, at least 18-inches deep but no deeper than 30-inches. This will keep you from having to support your cable, and you won’t have to worry about anyone tripping over it.
If you’re reading these tips and feeling overwhelmed at the size of this job, stop beating yourself up. Professional electricians are out there that can take all of this weight off your shoulders, safely installing the outdoor hanging lighting fixtures that can make your nights with friends extra successful. Yes, they may cost money, but isn’t that better than hurting yourself and others?
Do you have any experience installing residential or commercial outdoor lighting fixtures? What advice would you give to others looking to install outdoor hanging lighting fixtures? Let us know in the comments below. More like this.
