Keeping String Lights Dry: Worth The Hassle?
Ended up building a little DIY awning over the plugs with some scrap plexiglass and zip ties. Not the prettiest, but it’s kept things dry so far.
That’s honestly the classic move—if it works, it works. I’ve seen folks use everything from upside-down Tupperware to cut-up milk jugs for “weatherproofing.” The trick is always the plug connections, right? Even the “outdoor” ones seem to give up after a few storms. I usually recommend a dab of dielectric grease on the connections and then wrapping with electrical tape before any kind of cover goes on. Not glamorous, but it keeps the juice flowing. Ambiance is great, but not if you’re out there rewiring every month...
Ambiance is great, but not if you’re out there rewiring every month...
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve had tenants call about “dead” patio lights after one good rain, so I started using those weatherproof plug covers—kind of bulky, but they do the trick. Quick tip: elevate the plugs off the ground if you can. Even a brick underneath helps. Not the prettiest, but less hassle than replacing fried strings every season.
I hear you on the hassle. I tried those “outdoor rated” lights last year, thinking they’d hold up, but nope—first big storm, half the strand was toast. Ended up just running an extension cord through a plastic storage bin with a hole cut in the side. Not fancy, but it’s cheap and keeps things dry enough. Honestly, I’d rather have ugly cords than keep buying new lights every spring.
Honestly, I’ve seen a lot of folks do the storage bin trick, and it works better than most of the so-called “weatherproof” boxes out there. Sometimes simple is just more reliable. Have you looked into those heavy-duty outdoor cord covers? They’re not pretty, but they do the job. I get why you’d rather deal with ugly cords than keep shelling out for new lights every year. At the end of the day, function beats form—especially after a few storms.
Yeah, I’ve seen the storage bin hack a lot, and honestly, it’s hard to beat for the price. I’ve used those heavy-duty cord covers too—definitely not winning any beauty contests, but they hold up better than most of the “outdoor-rated” stuff you get at big box stores. Some of those so-called weatherproof boxes just end up trapping moisture anyway.
I’m curious though—has anyone tried running conduit or some kind of rigid cover for their string lights? I did that for a client once, just basic PVC pipe painted to match the trim. It looked cleaner than a tangled mess of cords and bins everywhere. Not sure it’s worth it for everyone, but if you’re already going through the trouble every year... might be less hassle long term. Or maybe that’s just overkill for backyard lights?