What to expect in Landscape Lighting Maintenance for your system

"I have a bulb not working in my landscape lighting. How much would it cost for you to come and change it for me?" This is a typical statement and question I receive weekly from random customers so I thought this would be a good topic for the start of this years blog posts.

First off, just because the light isn't working, don't automatically assume it's the bulb or I'd prefer to use the term "lamp". There are many reasons your outdoor lighting unit doesn't work. The checklist we use to determine what's wrong with the unit in question goes as follows.

1. Is there power to the base of the tree. No explanation should be necessary as to why this would be first.:)
2. Is there power going through the wire specifically for the unit.
3. If there is a transformer or junction box in the tree, check to see if the ballast and capacitor are working properly and all connections are tight.
4. Look at the wire to the unit and see if critters have taken a bite or if the wire has begun to be engulfed by tree growth over the years.
5. Check the socket at the fixture for power.
6. You should now have all the information to determine if it is a bad lamp, wire, transformer, capacitor, or power...not just as simple as changing a light bulb now is it.

I always have a difficult time giving a bid for someones maintenance on their landscape lighting system because I want to do the job right...not just do the job. The problem is where you are in a bidding situation and the competition would rather "nickel and dime" someone until the customer ends up paying what you quoted them in the beginning. 

When you request an estimate for your landscape lighting, you should expect to have someone come out and look at the following issues for your system.

1. Lights that are working, not working, or dim.
2. Adjustments to the lights and shields to achieve the desired effect. Trees grow and over time the lighting unit will be shining in a different direction than when it was originally installed. Also, the fixture can be hit out of placement during storms by other branches.
3. Tree growth at the fixtures and wires. As the tree matures, growth will start to envelop the fixture base and staples for the wires. Fixtures need to be "backed off" the tree and wire needs to be restapled every several years depending on the trees rate of growth.
4. Fixtures on the ground need to have the lens cleaned from dirt and bug debris.
5. Risors and junction boxes at the base of the tree also need to be reattached due to tree growth. I also recommend a fresh coat of paint to keep them looking new since they're the most visual aspect of your lighting system during the day.
6. Are timers set to the proper times and photocells working properly.
7. And finally, do you need to prune anything to eliminate "hot spots" or to allow more light to filter through. 

Properly maintaining your landscape lighting system should provide you with years of enjoying your nighttime ambiance. If we can assist you with your outdoor lighting, please contact us with your questions or call us to set up an appointment at your convenience.

Outdoor Lighting Hand Drawn Designs

Connecticut Estate 

South Texas Ranch

South Texas Ranch

Things you realize when you get older..."old". All those times I was grounded growing up and had nothing to do but draw was actually job training. I remember sitting for hours drawing something, anything because I had gotten into trouble and was grounded. In those days, grounded meant no television, no outside, no fun; draw, color, and read were my only options. I usually would draw. Go figure, 40 years later, I'm blessed to be able to draw and color for a living while playing in the dirt.

When I'm not given a property plan from a landscape architect, architect, or builder, I have to hand draw the property to not only show the customer where the landscape lighting is going to be, but also to catalogue the different lights and their locations. I take great pride in these plans and spend countless hours trying to get it look like its' to scale. That's not too difficult on most properties, but I've done some very large multi-acres sites the last several years. These are just a few favorites of my hand drawn landscape lighting plans.

If I can assist you in your outdoor lighting project or if you have any questions regarding trends, lighting products, and expected pricing, please give me call or email. 

Don't Get Sold a Bill of Goods

Ridiculous outdoor lighting design and installation!

I was driving to a design appointment in a very nice area of Dallas when I noticed this recent landscape lighting installation. The neighborhood is full of above average size lots and the homes all range from $1.5 - $5 million with wonderful trees that make it easy to show off what I can do with outdoor lighting. On this particular job, I know the fixture cost and can assume the electrical cost and this customer might as well have just flushed the majority of his hard earned money down the toilet because it's cr*p.

Just a few things to point out and I'll finish this rant;

1) NEVER place an above ground lighting fixture in the grassy area where the maintenance crew will consistently have to avoid it...they will hit it.

2) NEVER place an above ground lighting fixture on the provided stake in the grassy area where the maintenance crew will hit it, bump it, graze against it...the lights won't be straight this time next year!

3) NEVER place two or three above ground lighting fixtures under one tree. The concept of landscape illumination is to enhance the nighttime ambiance without knowing where the lighting is coming from during the day or night! It's hard enough to conceal one light, let alone two or three. Also, if one light doesn't do the job than maybe you should use a different light? Just a thought. 

This poor homeowner got sold a bill of goods...and a lot of them! If you should ever have questions regarding your system or what someone is selling you for your landscape lighting, give us a call or email.

Eliminate the "Lean" of your Low Voltage Lighting

Typical path light "lean"

This has been a pet peeve of mine since I started designing and installing landscape lighting throughout the country. No matter where I travel, I find the same issues whenever I see low voltage lighting...the customary lean of the fixture...meaning it isn't straight up and down. I am confident the fixture wasn't meant to look like this and was straight when it was installed but over time began it's natural path...leaning and falling over to the side.

I took this photograph of a project I knew was installed within the last year to show it doesn't take very long for the lean to happen. This happens for several reasons.

1- The landscape maintenance crews hit the fixture and over time the lean becomes acceptable.

2- The stake the fixture is on is only 6" deep into the soil.

3- The wiring isn't placed in conduit and only several inches beneath the soil.

So what is the solution? Landscape maintenance crews are always going to "bump" the fixtures so the only way to eliminate the lean is to install the unit more securely. We use a open stake like this one:

When a quality landscape installation crew installs new planting beds, they usually bring in 4"-6" of new planting soil (bed prep) and an additional 2" in of mulch. If the stake provided with the low voltage lighting unit is only 6" long, the light is not going to be secured in this soil. Installing the unit with the deeper stake will allow the unit to be installed into a more compact soil thus securing the unit. In addition, we always install our low voltage electrical wiring in conduit and bring it into the open stake providing a more stable unit. Running your low voltage wiring in conduit will ensure against inadvertent cutting of the wires when you change plant material or add new plants to existing beds. It costs a bit more on the front end, but will be worth it down the road.

So remember, your low voltage lighting doesn't have to "lean" and you can help my sanity by keeping yours straight!

E2 Illumination Designs is a design-build landscape lighting company focused on bringing the very best  in landscape design and construction to discerning clients throughout Texas and the U.S. Please contact us if you are considering landscape illumination for your home.