How to Waterproof Outdoor Lights

Quality outdoor lighting is a huge upgrade for homeowners.

Not only will strategically placed outdoor lights add a lot of extra usable space outdoors after the sun goes down, but the right outdoor lights can also improve home security significantly, too.

The only wrinkle, of course, is making sure that your outdoor lights are able to withstand everything Mother Nature can throw at them.

We are, after all, talking about electric based light solutions. You have to be sure that your outdoor lights are robust, can withstand rain, snow, and sleet, but are also going to be shielded from moisture buildup and humidity issues, too.

This is why it’s not a bad idea to weatherproof and waterproof your outdoor lights, even if they are already rated for outdoor purposes.

A little bit extra isn’t going to hurt!

How to Waterproof Outdoor Lights

Benefits of Waterproofing Outdoor Lights

There are a number of obvious benefits to waterproofing your outdoor lights, not the least of which is the confidence you’ll have knowing that every time you flip a switch your lights are going to come on – even if there are sheets of rain coming down outside.

One of the biggest reasons you’ll want to add “extra” waterproofing to your outdoor lights, though, is simply because many factory waterproofing solutions are as close to the bare minimum as a company can get while still calling something waterproof.

These companies are, after all, interested in turning a profit. The last thing they can do is go overboard with waterproofing solutions, cutting into their profit margin even if it means providing you with a longer-lasting and more reliable lighting solution.

There’s also the benefit of being able to use different lights (maybe lights not necessarily rated right out-of-the-box for outdoor purposes) in your outdoor spaces.

The right lighting can totally change the way that an outdoor space looks and feels, and some outdoor lighting with factory waterproofing is just designed to shed as much light as humanly possible outdoors.

A spotlight in your driveway or near the front door might not be a bad idea, but you likely don’t want all that extra light hammering down on your back patio or outdoor entertainment space.

Being able to waterproof your own lights creates a more custom solution, one that you have a lot more control over.

How to Waterproof Outdoor Lights

Below we run through some of the most popular waterproofing solutions available for outdoor lighting installations.

These products are really easy to take advantage of, really easy to use, and (maybe most importantly) really affordable, too.

Let’s jump right in!

How to Waterproof Outdoor Lights With Silicone Caulk

First and foremost, a bit of silicone caulk around any of the joints on your outdoor lighting solution can produce a fantastic waterproof solution that is about as permanent as it gets – while still allowing you to peel that waterproofing layer when you need to replace light bulbs or electronics.

Of all the different waterproofing options available for outdoor lighting setups silicone caulk is maybe the most highly recommended.

Sure, you’ll need to clean the surface that you are going to caulk really well ahead of time – and you might even want to gently sand and then clean particularly smooth components on your lights for better adhesion – but this is a cheap, proven upgrade that really works!

Products to Try:

Gorilla WP Caulk
Gorilla WP Caulk

  • Incredibly versatile 100% silicone sealant that dries translucent white.
  • Best for sealing gaps or cracks between two surfaces.
  • Indoor/outdoor; 100% waterproof.
Flex Shot Outdoor Caulk
Flex Shot Outdoor Caulk

  • Caulks, bonds and seals virtually everything!
  • No need for a caulking gun! The free extension tube makes even hard-to-reach repairs easy.
  • Gives you a perfect bead, every time. No running, no dripping, no mess.
GE All Weather Caulk
GE All Weather Caulk

  • Seals and helps protect against water damage and extreme weather conditions.
  • Stretches over 600% and seals up to 2-inch gaps with 25% expansion, remaining shrink-proof and crack-proof under varying conditions.
  • Paint-ready in as little as 1 hour so you can have a beautiful finish in no time.

How to Waterproof Outdoor Lights With Waterproof Sprays

An even more inexpensive upgrade that a lot of people are using to better waterproof there outdoor lighting installation are waterproof sprays like the ones that we highlight below.

These waterproof sprays are unbelievably easy to apply, really easy to control, and (for the most part) are super affordable. After they dry they leave behind a hydrophobic but nearly invisible waterproof layer that keeps your lights perfectly dry.

Think of these products like RainX your outdoor lights!

Products to Try:

Gorilla Waterproof Patch; Seal Spray (Clear)
Gorilla Waterproof Patch; Seal Spray (Clear)

  • Gorilla Waterproof Patch and Seal Spray is a flexible, rubberized coating that seals out water, air and moisture to stop and prevent leaks.
  • The applicator nozzle has a controlled spray pattern providing a clean, even coat; Once applied, the self leveling formula smoothly covers small gaps and cracks ensuring a watertight seal.
  • When dried, Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Spray is temperature and UV resistant resulting in lasting repairs.
Star Brite Waterproofing Spray
Star Brite Waterproofing Spray

  • Great for use on new fabrics, greatly extending their service life by providing an additional repellant barrier to moisture and a sun shield to damaging UV rays.
  • Does not change the breathabilty, color, or feel of fabric.
  • Waterproofing + UV & stain protector for boat covers, car covers, bimini tops, lights, sail covers, tents, jackets, backpacks, boots, awnings, canvas, canopy, sunbrella & patio covers.

How to Waterproof Outdoor Lights With Custom Enclosures

Of course, if you live in a particularly wet area with lots of rain all year round – or particularly rainy seasons – you might want to protect your outdoor lights with custom enclosures.

This involves a trip to the hardware store, purchasing materials that you can seal with silicone caulk, waterproof sprays, or other solutions, and custom fitting everything together. But it’s a great way to get a guaranteed to be waterproof solution for your outdoor lights.

How to Waterproof Outdoor Lights

Tips For Waterproofing Outdoor Lights

There are a couple of other things you’re going to want to think about when you are getting ready to set up lighting outside, not the least of which is understanding that these lights are going to be subjected to everything Mother Nature throws at them on a 24/7, 365 day a year basis.

The lights you choose should be able to withstand all of this abuse for years on end without degrading or becoming compromised.

Proper waterproofing with the help of the solutions highlighted above goes a long way towards making that possible, but you’ll want to consider these details below, too.

Outdoor Rated Lights

First and foremost, it’s important to choose outdoor rated lights – particularly outdoor rated lightbulbs or LEDs – for your outdoor lighting installation.

There’s a world of difference between lighting solutions that are made for indoor and outdoor setups. Outdoor lightbulbs and LEDs are designed to be a little heavier duty, little more robust, and (usually) to throw a lot more light than they would have indoors.

Be sure that all of your lights can withstand outdoor environments before you get started.

Outdoor Rated Power

Secondly, you want to make sure that the power supplies you’re using to run your lights are rated for the outdoors as well.

A lot of people make the mistake of running indoor rated electrical cords and extension cords out to their outside lights and then wonder why things break down, even though they spent a lot of time (and sometimes a decent amount of money) waterproofing their lights in the first place.

Make sure that your power cords are all rated for outdoor use. Run them through conduits whenever possible (to keep them out of the rain and weather), but at the very least electrical tape any connections to prevent water from getting into those critical components, too.

Location Matters!

Where you position your outdoor lights will have a huge impact on their ability to withstand rain, sleet, snow, and humidity as well.

Whenever possible try to sneak your outdoor lights undercover – under awnings, overhangs, or inside of enclosures – and shield them as much as possible from rain, snow, sun, and the wind.

Even just a little bit of extra protection can make a world of difference. Full-blown outdoor custom enclosures may be necessary for more delicate outdoor lighting solutions, but most of the time you can get away with intelligently mounting these lights slightly undercover.

Regular Inspections are Important

Finally, it’s important to remember that waterproofing your outdoor lights is never a “one and done” kind of project.

You should be regularly inspecting your lights, power cables, and enclosures on a monthly basis or so.

Every six months you’ll want to double check and confirm that the waterproofing you’ve applied is still working, and every year or so it’s not a bad idea to reapply waterproofing solutions just to make sure you are good to go!