maintenance of your outside lights
How to Look after your outside lights
There comes a time when outdoor lighting fixtures require maintenance or replacement, particularly the glass components that protect the bulbs. Understanding how to care for and replace this glass is essential for ensuring your outdoor lights remain functional and aesthetically pleasing.
To begin with, it’s important to regularly inspect your outdoor lights for any signs of wear or damage. This includes checking the glass for cracks or shattering that may compromise its integrity. If you notice any issues, it’s advisable to replace the glass promptly to avoid further damage.
Important: Before you start replacing damaged glass or cleaning your lights ensure the power is off.
Cleaning Your Outdoor Light Fitting
This is a good job to do at the end of the summer so your outside lights are ready for the winter ahead, when you really need them.
Assuming there is no damage to the glass, and having turn off the power, start cleaning the shade and metal fittings. Mild soapy water will usually clean the shade and fittings, removing grime and the build up of dirt. This protects the paint work from getting tarnished.
Ensure you hold the fitting carefully, particularly the glass bowl, as you do not want it to break at this stage.
It’s a good idea to remove the glass fitting, as this can be washed seperately, then dried before re-assembling. You could also replace any older incandescent bulb (Old 40/60 watt type) with a much more energy efficient LED. It will save you money in the future. More on LED bulbs.
With a clean light fixture, more illumination is given and looks better, keeping your house and walkways looking there best.
Replacing Burford, Barn and Harbour Light Replacement Glass
So you’ve checked your light and the glass is cracked, or a wayward ball has made an impact!
This description is particularly for our Burford, Barn & Stable or Harbour Wall lights which have 3 screws holding the glass in place. However other outdoor lights may have a similar fixing.
Burford – Barn or Stable – Harbour
How to Replace Your Outdoor Light Glass
First start by turning off the power, the holding the glass bowl in one hand unscrew the 3 retaining screws, releasing the bowl. The screws do not need to be fully removed, but for general maintainance could be, while give them a quick spray with WD40 or silicone spray, before replacing.
If the glass is intact and you are just cleaning it, just reverse the process. Firstly ensure the screws are open and free running. You will see there is a slight reccess on the underside of the light shade where the top of the glass sits. You will also notice the glass has a lip or more commonly a bulbous top. When the glass is in place the lip or bulbous part rests on the screws.
With this in mind, take your glass and offer it up to the shade ensuring it’s sitting in it’s recess. Then carefully screw in the 3 screws as evenlly as possible but not tight. The glass should still be able to move a little in your hand. This allows for changes in temperature as the glass expands just a little in the sun or warm weather. Tighten the screws too hard on the glass and it could cause the glass to crack as it expands.
And there you have it, cleaning your light or replacing the glass shade – this will keep your outside lights in good shape for years to come.
