A Successful Home Sale

Spotlights, path lights, and downlights will illuminate wide open spaces and structures that contain overhangs. Installing lights will require adequate wiring, electrical hookups, solar components, and more. Choosing the light styles and mapping out where they will go are the precursory steps that will need to be conducted before installing electrical components and accessories. 

The Use Of Lights

Lights make wide-open areas or confined areas look welcoming, plus they increase safety for those who will be spending time outdoors. A large expanse of grass that is bordered by trees or a wall could be nicely illuminated by adding spotlights near the natural features that border the lawn. A series of path lights will increase the use value of patio blocks or pavers that are covering portions of a yard. Downlights will add plenty of lighting under a pergola, a gazebo, or another structure that contains an overhang.

Essential Steps

Follow the steps below to properly install outdoor lighting:

1. Clear or grade the property
2. Trim overgrowth
3. Measure features
4. Choose lighting products
5. Compile installation materials

Hookup Guidelines

Landscape lighting often contains insulated wires that are weather-resistant. If lights will be used to define a small part of a piece of land, using an aboveground wiring setup may be suitable. There are ways to conceal wiring, such as winding wires through hedges or underneath trees. Many landscaping kits contain "plug and go" features that will not require a property owner to conduct a lot of steps associated with the installation.

If a lot of wires will be needed for an installation, an underground installation process may be sought. Installing wires underground will involve digging a shallow trench, tamping the bottom of the trench, laying out the electrical components, and backfilling the trench. Grading the land can be performed at the onset of an installation or afterward, depending upon whether or not electrical components will be buried or will be resting at ground level.

Products that are relatively easy to install include pole path lights and lighting products that operate off of solar technology. A pole-type light may require a small hole to be dug. An auger can be used to create holes directly in the ground. Pathway stones and other aggregate materials can be used to enhance new lighting The aggregates will prevent rainwater from pooling along the surfaces that surround the lights. This will keep a set of new lights clean and visible to anyone spending time outdoors at night.

Contact a local outdoor lighting service, such as Rainmaker Irrigation & Landscaping, Inc, to learn more.