QA

How To Put Up Outdoor Christmas Lights

What is the easiest way to hang Christmas lights?

Try using plastic clips instead of nails or staples. Plastic clips are the easiest way for hanging Christmas lights on the roof. You can also use a staple gun to hold them in place, but that will also make them more time consuming to remove after Christmas.

How do you hook up Christmas lights without an outdoor outlet?

The four ways to plug in Christmas lights without an outdoor outlet are: Use Battery Powered Lights. Waterproof Extension Cords. Heavy-Duty Extension Cords. Be Careful About the Voltage. Turn Off the Power Source. Keep the Lights and Cords Away From Risky Areas. Do Not Overload the Electrical Outlets.

How do you plug outside lights?

Run an Extension Cord from Inside the Home No outlet to plug into outside? Use a heavy duty extension cord. If there are no electrical outlets and no porch light, it is possible to run an exterior grade extension cord from inside your home through a window or from the garage.

How do you hang string lights on a patio?

Step 1: Select Anchor Points. Lay string lights around the perimeter of your deck. Step 2: Install Screw Eyes. Predrill holes into the wood structural supports in your marked locations. Step 3: Attach String Lights with Carabiners. Step 4: Install Light Bulbs. Step 5: Attach String Lights to Power.

How do you fasten outdoor string lights?

Most commercial-grade patio lights come with clips attached to the top of the bulb socket or the wire above the bulb. If you used a mounting wire, clip the lights onto the wire. Once all lights are up, once again plug the string lights into the exterior outlet or extension cord plugged into an outlet.

How do wireless outlets work?

All smart outlets (like the Belkin WeMo, ConnectSense, and others) mostly work the same–you plug them into an existing outlet, set them up to connect them to your home’s Wi-Fi network, and then plug something into the smart outlet to begin controlling it from your smartphone using the accompanying app.

How do I extend an outdoor electrical outlet?

The quickest way to extend power outdoors is to install a receptacle back-to-back with one inside the house. You also can drill through the wall from a basement or crawlspace and attach a receptacle on the side of a house using an extension ring.

Should you cover outdoor Christmas light plugs?

If your outdoor receptacle isn’t under a roof or some other protective cover it needs to have a special cover, known as an “in-use” cover, over it. As the name implies, these covers will keep the receptacle​ and the plug that’s in it dry—even in the rain.

Do exterior lights need a box?

If you’re wondering how you install a light fixture without an electrical box, the short answer is that you don’t. The electrical box, or junction box, is a code requirement that was established to prevent fires and other electrical accidents.

How many feet of string lights do I need for patio?

Simply buy string lights that are 2 to 6 feet longer than your linear measurement to create the swag of your choice. It’s always better to have more string length than you need because you can always shorten it by doubling it up on the ends.

Can you staple outdoor string lights?

staples to attach the string lights closest to the power source. Unplug the cord from your outlet. Pull the cord taught, but not tight, and continue stapling the string lights along your path. Keep the string centered and make sure you don’t staple through the wiring!.

Should Christmas lights face up or down?

Hang the lights pointing up or down, just make sure they’re all clipped in the same direction. If you don’t have gutters, you can use the same clip to attach lights to your shingles instead.

How do you hide unwanted Christmas lights?

Visually disguise the bulbs that are messing with your perfect rectangular window vibe but hiding them with a couple of quick turns of electrical tape.

Can you nail into brick?

The nail can be used to hang a picture or to secure decorations, such as Christmas lights. Using a hammer to pound the nail into the brick is not an option because the nail will chip the brick and will not hold. But a nail can be inserted into a brick wall if you use the proper procedure and tools.

Do Command Strips work on brick?

Will Command™ Products stick to brick? No. Command™ Products are intended for mostly smooth surfaces such as those listed above. However, our products will stick to painted, smooth cinder block (the type found inside many school and office buildings).

How do you attach string lights to concrete?

Attach the cable clamps to the rope lights between light bulbs. Place a clamp every 12 to 24 inches along the rope. Mark where the clamps hit the concrete with a marker. This makes it easier to install the lights.

How do you attach string lights to a metal pole?

Screw a hook on to the top of each pole as well as to the side of the house where the string lights will start and end. Simply hang the beginning of the light set from the first hook and drape across to the next hook, then the next hook and so on.

What can I use if I don’t have an outlet?

What To Do When You Don’t Have Enough Outlets? Buy a power strip (with a surge protector). A strip of electrical sockets will give you more mileage out of your limited outlets. Use an outlet tap. Cut down on your devices. Be aware of blown fuses or circuit breaker trips. Install new outlets.

Are there wireless power outlets?

Blue Shark WiFi Mini Plug, Smart Home Power Control Socket, Wireless Control Your Household Appliance from Anywhere, No Hub Required, Compatible with Alexa and Google Home (1PACK).