Living near the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean along the shores of North Carolina is paradise, but even paradise comes with a few challenges. One of those challenges is the corrosive effects of saltwater. When it comes to choosing your outdoor lighting, it is critical to choose the most durable fixtures and to maintain them as necessary to lengthen their life-span.
At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Wilmington, we only use solid copper and brass fixtures. We also offer some fixtures in marine grade brass for further protection from saltwater exposure. Our fixtures come with a lifetime warranty, but when you live near the ocean, there are a few things you should know.
Saltwater Outdoor Lighting
All metals can be corroded by long-term exposure to salt, or in our area, saltwater. One of the most enjoyable aspects of our copper fixtures is the lovely patina they achieve over time. In a saltwater environment, this weathering can become accelerated due to salt exposure. While this effect is desirable, and the patina will protect the copper, some important maintenance steps should be taken if you are near the water.
Cleaning your Copper Lights to Protect Them from Saltwater
It is important to clean your lights regularly if you are near the water. Salt deposits can build up and make the lights look less appealing and can hasten the weathering of the fixture.
- Do not use any cleaning products on your copper.
- Use a damp towel or a little dish soap to wipe down all the copper surfaces of your light.
- Rinse with fresh water to remove all soap residue.
- Lights that are under an over-hang or roofline should be cleaned more often as they won’t benefit from the freshwater rinse provided by rain.
If your landscape lights get exposed to saltwater directly during a storm surge or floodwaters, it is important to follow the steps above once the storm and water have subsided.
The Benefits of Naval Brass Fixtures
We offer some fixtures in marine grade brass, also known as naval brass. With additional alloys mixed into the metal, it is more resistant to saltwater. Our lighting experts will help determine where and if marine brass is needed on your property.
We do still recommend that when you are near the water, you clean marine grade brass fixtures regularly to avoid build-up of salt on the fixtures, keeping them looking their best.
If you have any questions or concerns about saltwater outdoor lighting for your Coastal Carolina home, please call us today. We look forward to hearing from you.
