Keeping string lights dry: worth the hassle?

I went the “official” route at first - weatherproof boxes, gaskets, the whole nine yards. Honestly, it was a pain and cost way more than I expected. The cable gland and silicone combo seems way more practical for what most of us need, especially if you’re just stringing lights for the season. Like you said, though, that silicone doesn’t last forever. I noticed mine gets brittle after a hot summer, not just winter. Probably worth budgeting a few minutes every couple months to check things over, just to avoid surprises.

Probably worth budgeting a few minutes every couple months to check things over, just to avoid surprises.

That’s a fair point, but honestly, I get tired of crawling around the patio every time it rains just to make sure the lights aren’t shorting out. I’m starting to wonder if it’s even worth the hassle for something that’s only up a few months. Has anyone tried just using ziplock bags or something super basic, or is that just asking for trouble?

Has anyone tried just using ziplock bags or something super basic, or is that just asking for trouble?

Honestly, I’ve slapped ziplocks over the plugs before when I was in a pinch. It worked okay for a while, but after a couple storms, water still found its way in. I get the hassle - crawling around in the mud isn’t my idea of a good time either. Have you looked at those cheap plastic cord covers? They’re not fancy, but they’re less fiddly than bags and seem to last longer. Just depends how much you want to gamble with the lights, I guess.

I once tried the ziplock trick at a rental property - thought I was being clever. Next rain, the bag filled up like a goldfish bowl and tripped the breaker. Now I just spring for the covers. Cheaper than replacing fried lights... or explaining to tenants why the patio’s dark.

Covers definitely seem like the smarter move, but I keep wondering if there’s a way to keep things dry without shelling out for all the official gear. I tried using plastic grocery bags and twist ties once - honestly, it looked ridiculous and didn’t work much better than your ziplock experiment. The water just pooled at the bottom and I ended up with a soggy mess anyway.

Is it really worth the extra cost for those weatherproof covers, though? I get wanting to avoid the hassle of replacing lights every season, but sometimes those covers seem overpriced for what they are. Has anyone tried just mounting the plugs higher up or under some kind of DIY awning? I keep thinking there’s gotta be a middle ground between “let it fry” and “spend a fortune.” Or maybe I’m just overthinking it and should cough up the cash for the covers like everyone else...

Tried the “mount it higher” trick last year - just stuck the plugs up under the eaves with some zip ties. Worked okay until a sideways rainstorm hit and soaked everything anyway. Honestly, I’m with you on not wanting to drop cash on overpriced covers, but after frying two sets of lights, I caved and bought some cheap outlet covers from the hardware store. Not fancy, but they did the job. If you’re handy, maybe rig up a little plastic container as a shield? Just poke some holes for drainage so you don’t end up with a mini aquarium like I did...

I’ve seen so many people try to “hack” their way around keeping outdoor lights dry, and honestly, most of those DIY fixes end up being more trouble than they’re worth. I get the urge to avoid spending on those ugly plastic covers (they’re not exactly winning any design awards), but after a few seasons of fried lights and tripping breakers, I just gave in and bought proper weatherproof boxes. They’re not expensive if you skip the fancy brands, and they actually work.

I tried the plastic container trick once - cut a hole for the cord, flipped it upside down, and thought I was a genius. Then a windstorm came through and turned the whole thing into a birdbath. Not my finest moment. The drainage holes idea is smart, but water still finds a way in if the rain’s coming sideways or there’s snow melt.

If you really care about how it looks, I’ve seen people spray-paint those covers to match their siding or even hide them behind planters. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than risking another short circuit or worse, an electrical fire. I know it feels like overkill for string lights, but if you’re going to the trouble of hanging them up for ambiance, you might as well protect your investment (and your house).

Honestly, after dealing with ruined lights and extension cords, I’d say just get the covers. You’ll save yourself a lot of hassle and probably some money in the long run. And hey, if you come up with a DIY solution that actually survives a storm, let me know - I’d love to see it.

I totally get the urge to DIY - my first attempt was wrapping the plug in a plastic bag and duct tape. Looked like a sad burrito and lasted about two weeks before water got in anyway. If you’re trying to save cash, here’s what I’d do: 1) Go for the cheapest weatherproof box you can find (they’re usually under $10), 2) Spray paint it if it’s ugly, and 3) Tuck it behind a planter or something. Not glamorous, but way less stressful than replacing fried lights every season. I still wonder if there’s a better hack, but honestly, the store-bought covers just work.

Looked like a sad burrito and lasted about two weeks before water got in anyway.

That’s about how my first attempt went - except mine looked more like a lumpy sandwich bag. I’ve tried a few hacks, but honestly, the cheap weatherproof boxes are worth it. I tuck mine behind an old milk can on the porch. Not pretty, but it’s lasted through two winters. Sometimes the simplest fix is best, even if it’s not fancy.

Funny how we all end up with some version of the “plastic bag solution” at first. I remember rigging up a grocery bag and a handful of twist ties - looked like a science project gone wrong. Didn’t even make it through the first rainstorm before I had to unplug everything and start over.

I hear you on the weatherproof boxes. I was stubborn for a while, trying to DIY it with Tupperware and silicone, but honestly, the store-bought ones just work better. Not the prettiest, but I’d rather have ugly and dry than creative and fried. I do wonder if there’s a way to make them blend in more, though. I’ve seen folks paint them or stick them behind planters, but mine’s just out there, looking like a plastic brick.

Anyway, I guess the hassle’s worth it if you want the lights to last. I’ve lost a couple of sets to water damage, and that’s a pain. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles, right?

Yeah, I’ve been there with the plastic bag trick - never lasts long. The weatherproof boxes aren’t pretty, but honestly, they save you money in the long run. I just tuck mine behind a bush and call it good. Not worth stressing over looks when it keeps the lights working.

I hear you on the weatherproof boxes not being much to look at. I had the same debate with myself last year - do I just keep swapping out the plastic bags every time it rains, or bite the bullet and get something more permanent? The thing is, I got tired of running out in the middle of a storm to check if my “system” was holding up. I even tried doubling up the bags and taping them, but water always found a way in.

Not worth stressing over looks when it keeps the lights working.

That’s pretty much where I landed, too. I went with one of those chunky gray boxes and, yeah, it’s not winning any design awards, but it’s tucked behind my grill so no one really sees it. Plus, it’s actually kind of satisfying not worrying about whether the GFCI is gonna trip every time it sprinkles.

Funny enough, my neighbor tried to get clever and used one of those upside-down plastic totes with a hole cut in the side. It worked for a while, but then a squirrel decided to make it home and chewed through the extension cord. Sometimes “creative solutions” just cause more headaches.

Honestly, I think the hassle is worth it if you want your lights to last more than a season. I used to go through a set or two every year because of water damage. Now, it’s been three winters and counting - no issues. The box paid for itself just in not replacing stuff. Not glamorous, but definitely practical.

I’ve been down the “creative” route myself - once tried wrapping the plug connections in cling film and then shoving the whole thing under an old flowerpot. Looked like a science experiment gone wrong, and the next morning I found the pot halfway across the yard. Wind, raccoons, who knows. Either way, the lights were out and I was back to square one.

I finally caved and got one of those weatherproof boxes, too. Not exactly a showpiece, but it’s hidden behind a hydrangea bush, so unless someone’s crawling around in the dirt, nobody’s the wiser. I’ll admit, I miss the days when I could just slap something together and call it good, but after frying two sets of lights and tripping the breaker more times than I care to count, I’m a convert.

Funny how the “ugly” solution ends up being the most peaceful one. At this point, I’d rather have a boring gray box than another midnight dash outside in my slippers.

That’s hilarious about the flowerpot - I tried something similar with a plastic storage container and a bunch of duct tape. Looked like a raccoon-proof vault, but it still leaked when it rained sideways. I agree, the weatherproof box isn’t winning any design awards, but at least I’m not out there at 2am with a flashlight anymore.

Curious - did you find one that actually blends in pretty well, or did you just give up and stick with the standard gray? I’ve seen some “decorative” covers online but they all look kinda cheesy to me.

Honestly, I just stuck with the regular gray box in the end. Tried painting one to match the siding, but it started peeling after a couple months - looked worse than before. The “decorative” ones I saw were either weirdly bulky or had fake rock textures that fooled absolutely no one. At this point, I’d rather have something that actually keeps the plugs dry, even if it’s a bit of an eyesore. Have you seen any that actually look halfway decent?

Tried to get clever once and hid the outlet behind a planter - looked fine until the first big rain. Water pooled right in, tripped the GFCI, and I spent half a day figuring out why the fridge in the mudroom was off. At this point, I just stick with the ugly gray cover too. On an old house, anything “decorative” just stands out more anyway. Function over form, I guess.

I’ve seen so many people try to “hide” outlets or string light plugs with planters, rocks, even those fake plastic rocks from the hardware store. Nine times out of ten, it just ends up being a headache. Water finds its way in, or you’re crawling around in the mud trying to reset something. I get the urge to make things look seamless, but honestly, those gray covers are there for a reason. I’ve tried painting them to match siding or brick - sometimes it helps, sometimes it just draws more attention.

On the string lights front, I’ve had clients who insisted on running extension cords through windows or under doors to avoid outdoor outlets altogether. That’s a whole different mess - drafts, bugs, and you’re still not really solving the “ugly cord” problem. I’ve started leaning into the industrial look. If you can’t hide it, make it look intentional. Black cords, visible hardware, and just accept that it’s part of the vibe. Especially on older houses, trying to disguise modern stuff usually backfires.

Curious - has anyone actually found a decorative cover or solution that holds up in bad weather? Or is everyone just living with the utilitarian look at this point? I keep seeing those “weatherproof” boxes with faux wood finishes online, but I’m skeptical they’d last more than a season or two.

If you can’t hide it, make it look intentional. Black cords, visible hardware, and just accept that it’s part of the vibe.

Couldn’t agree more. I’ve wasted plenty of time trying to blend outlets into 1920s brick - never really works, especially after a season or two of rain and freeze. Those faux-wood covers look nice out of the box but start to peel or crack fast. At this point, I stick with the heavy-duty gray covers and just keep things tidy. Honestly, a clean install looks better than a fake rock half-buried in mulch. Sometimes you just have to embrace the practical stuff and move on.

I hear you on the fake covers - tried those “natural” looking ones once and they just ended up looking sad and out of place after a few months. I’m all for a clean, intentional install too. But I do wonder, has anyone actually found a weatherproof box that doesn’t look like a mini spaceship stuck to the wall? Or is it just a tradeoff between ugly but functional and pretty but doomed?

But I do wonder, has anyone actually found a weatherproof box that doesn’t look like a mini spaceship stuck to the wall? Or is it just a tradeoff between ugly but functional and pretty but doomed?

Been down this rabbit hole a few times. Here’s what I’ve learned:

- Tried the “low-profile” clear covers - looked okay at first, but they yellowed and cracked after two summers. Not great.
- The big gray or white boxes are solid for protection, but yeah, they’re not winning any design awards. I ended up tucking one behind a planter just to hide it.
- I did find one metal cover with a powder-coated finish that blended better with my siding. Still chunky, but at least it wasn’t plastic-y or spaceship-y.

Honestly, I think it’s always a compromise. If you want something that lasts, it’s going to be a bit clunky. The “pretty” ones just don’t hold up to real weather. I started focusing on placement - hiding the box behind furniture or plants instead of stressing about the look. Function wins in the long run, at least for me.