A landscape lighting system can add a soul-stirring mood to your outdoor area while at the same time, offering extra security and overall safer space. If you need to install your landscape lighting, choose a low-voltage lighting system that will not need an electrical expert for installation.
And, since you’ve been working a lot and spending a lot of money to achieve the best layout possible, the last thing you need is for anything to compromise the low voltage wires, especially because it can be difficult to figure out where the problem is.
Below are a few practices that safeguard outdoor lighting fixtures from different factors such as rain, pesky rodents, and more.
How To Waterproof Landscape Lighting Wire
Outdoor Cables
Outdoor cable is wiring warranted as safe to use outdoors but above ground. They are not recommended for direct burial unless a conduit is used. They are often constructed from UV-resistant PVC material to resist UV rays and heat. Outdoor-rated cables are made with UV protection to keep cable durability and avoid deterioration after a while.
The outdoor cable will function efficiently in low and high temperatures without being compromised and is durable enough to endure some physical destruction from the elements as well.
Underground Burial Cables
Direct Burial Cables
How To Safely Bury Landscape Lighting Wiring
Before doing any digging in your yard, it’s extremely advised to contact 811, the national “Call Before you Dig Hotline.” They’ll help you estimate spots to dig and mark any utilities with paint to keep you from unintentionally damaging local water, sewer, and electrical lines.
Choose the light fixture location wisely. Don’t install fixtures where landscape maintenance employees will be working every week. You’ll need to keep the fixtures and wire away from where they can be damaged by string trimmers, lawnmowers, and edgers.
Install all the required light fixtures, a transformer, and other components, and then arrange the wiring on the ground to make sure its length is enough to reach where you want it. If feasible, run the low voltage wire behind dense flowering shrubs, along fence lines, and around other objects that can help conceal it.
Connect the low voltage lighting and switch it on at night before burying the wirings so you have a shot to glimpse what your garden looks like after dark. In this manner, you can make any changes to the arrangement of the light bulbs before the wires are buried.
If all looks great, bind the cables together with zip ties to keep them uncluttered and orderly. Then, place them inside hollow pieces of PVC pipe. The PVC pipe will shield them, preventing them from being defective due to the surrounding soil or rodents.
Complete it by digging a narrow trench. A good rule of thumb is to excavate at least 6 inches deep into the soft soil and grassy areas. Use a flat shovel to create a slit on lawns. Lay the pipe in the trench. It’s also important to cover the trench back with soil packed as tightly as it was before. Replace any sod that you removed during the process so the grass can grow back into place.
Embed wiring that goes through flower beds with 2 to 4 inches of mulch. The cables in garden beds don’t need to be buried deeply like those in the grassy areas because you will not be mowing over them. Run wiring for overhead lighting underground as far as practicable, then clasp the wires up the sides of trees or other vertical structures to reach overhead lighting fixtures.
Run Wires Through Rain Gutters
How To Protect Buried Wiring Systems Against Animals
As soon as you’ve buried them well, it’s time to think of the next serious natural problem your landscape might have – cunning animals.
Truth be told, wild animals are everywhere. Squirrels, rats, mice, and rabbits can chew through soft plastic and rubber. Despite the fact the wire is buried, these animals can dig the ground and reach it. The entire lighting system has to be replaced, even if a small part of the wire is chewed. Therefore, it’s important to secure them fairly well. Fortunately, there are approaches to protecting the wirings from these damages.
The most useful thing you can do is to bury the wiring through a protective conduit made out of metal or plastic. The diameter thickness must be greater than one inch since squirrels are not capable of opening their mouths that big. Because rats can access openings wider than ¼ inch, it becomes necessary to stop entry to the inside of the conduits from the ends. Applying a soft insulation layer, duct seal, or steel wood to close the end of the openings could be adequate.
Steel trunking is useful at warding rodents off, though you have to consider the expenses. Moreover, you can purchase repellent sprays that you could spray on your wiring, or there are many DIY alternatives on the internet that use chilli peppers or peppermint, but they are only temporary solutions.
Avoid investing in sonic repellent devices. They’re not that effective since the sound waves are absorbed by something that gets in the way. Ultimately, these little animals will adapt to the sonic waves.
Don’t Be Frugal With Cable Or Connectors
Do not surrender to the invitation to utilize piercing-type connectors. They are susceptible to moisture, which will result in some wire connections failure. They have minimal metal-to-metal contact; therefore, the tiniest shift in the state of the connection could generate sudden failure.
Some experts suggest wire nuts replenished with sealant. Furthermore, prevent your wirings from being unintentionally removed from the nut by putting an electrical tape or zip tie around the wires a couple of inches from the wire nut.
Wrap Up
Colin Macmillan is a seasoned entrepreneur and the CEO of Riverwood Landscape, a leading landscaping company based in Canada. He has been at the helm of the company since leaving high school, demonstrating his strong leadership skills and business acumen.
Colin’s expertise lies in various aspects of landscaping, including lawn care, interlocking, sod installation, and commercial maintenance. His hands-on approach and dedication to the craft have been instrumental in building Riverwood Landscape into a reputable brand.
One of his most notable achievements is the creation of a successful landscape franchise that services multiple locations. This accomplishment underscores his strategic thinking and ability to scale operations effectively.
Colin has also had the privilege of working with Guelph Hospital for landscaping and maintenance, a testament to the trust and reliability that his company has earned over the years.
His professional mission is to offer the best services and experiences for customers, a goal that he tirelessly pursues. Colin’s commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction continues to drive the growth and success of Riverwood Landscape.
