Yeah, I hear you—no such thing as “set it and forget it” when it comes to outdoor lights. I’ve seen people try those plastic socket covers, but they always end up getting brittle or just trapping moisture inside anyway. Out of curiosity, has anyone tried running conduit for string lights instead of just hanging them bare? Seems like overkill, but maybe it’d cut down on the babysitting.
Running conduit for string lights? That’s a new one for me, but honestly, I get where you’re coming from. I’ve had tenants complain about dead bulbs or tripped breakers after every storm, and those socket covers never seem to last more than a season. Conduit might seem like overkill, but if it saves you from constant maintenance and keeps the lights working, maybe it’s worth the upfront hassle. Sometimes a little extra work pays off in the long run, especially if you’re tired of replacing stuff every year.
Title: Conduit for String Lights: Worth the Effort?
“Conduit might seem like overkill, but if it saves you from constant maintenance and keeps the lights working, maybe it’s worth the upfront hassle.”
I used to think conduit was overkill too, but after a few years of dealing with exactly what you described—dead bulbs, tripped breakers, and those cheap socket covers that crack after one winter—I finally caved and tried it on one of my duplex patios. Here’s how it played out for me:
1. **Planning:** I mapped out the runs and measured everything twice. Used 1/2” PVC electrical conduit since it’s lightweight and easy to work with. I made sure to get weatherproof boxes for the connections.
2. **Installation:** Drilled the mounting brackets into the eaves and fence posts, then ran the conduit. It took a Saturday afternoon, but nothing too crazy. The trickiest part was threading the string light cord through—had to tape the ends to a fish tape and pull gently.
3. **Sealing:** I used silicone caulk at the entry/exit points to keep water out. For the sockets themselves, I still used covers, but with the conduit shielding most of the wiring, they lasted a lot longer.
4. **Results:** Two years later, I haven’t had to replace a single bulb due to water damage or tripped breakers. Maintenance is basically just swapping out bulbs when they burn out, which is rare.
Honestly, it’s not a perfect solution. It does look a bit more “industrial” than just stringing lights up, and if you ever want to change the layout, it’s more work. But if you’re tired of dealing with constant repairs, it’s a solid investment. I’d say it’s less about overkill and more about peace of mind, especially if you’ve got tenants who call every time there’s a storm.
One thing I’d add—if you’re running conduit, make sure you use outdoor-rated string lights and GFCI outlets. I learned that lesson the hard way when a GFCI tripped and wouldn’t reset because water got in through an old outlet box.
It’s not for everyone, but if you’re managing multiple properties or just sick of the hassle, conduit pays off in the long run.
I get the “industrial” look isn’t for everyone, but honestly, after one too many soggy sockets and blown fuses, I’d rather deal with conduit than keep replacing cheap lights. If you’re tired of babysitting your setup every time it rains, it’s worth the hassle. Just don’t skimp on the weatherproof boxes—learned that one the hard way.
Just don’t skimp on the weatherproof boxes—learned that one the hard way.
That’s a lesson I’ve seen play out more than once. I get the appeal of conduit for peace of mind, but I do wonder if there’s a middle ground. Has anyone tried running string lights under a pergola or some kind of awning? It’s not as “industrial” looking, and you can still keep things dry. Curious if that’s held up for folks, or if it’s just delaying the inevitable water issues.
