Short answer: when the leaves are down, you can see everything: fixtures that tilted, wire that surfaced, beams that now reach farther than planned. Walk the system at dusk, check the transformer and timer, and fix small things before spring growth hides them. Our minimum service call is $95.
Why winter is a good time to look
In summer, plants hide fixtures and wire. In winter, they are bare. You can see the whole system from the house. Light that was lost in leaves now shows on trunks and branches, and some lights look very different without a canopy. Georgia winters are also mostly mild with hard freezes now and then, so it is a calm time to check the system.
It is also when problems from fall show up: leaf litter packed around fixtures, mulch piled against lenses and wire exposed by washouts.
The winter walk, step by step
- Go out at dusk, with the system on.
- Look at each fixture. Is it lit, level and pointing where it should?
- Look at the bare plants. Beams that now reach farther might glare into a window or the street.
- Check the ground. Wire on the surface, or soil washed away from a fixture, needs attention.
- Clear leaves and mulch from every fixture.
- Check the transformer. It should be dry, upright and warm to the touch only when running.
- Check the timer. Confirm the clock and the on and off times.
- Look for fixtures with water inside, or fogged lenses.
What you are likely to find
| What you see | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Light shining at a window | Beam now clear of leaves | Re-aim or shield |
| Wire visible on the surface | Washout or settling | Rebury or reroute |
| Fixture sunk or tilted | Soft soil | Reset and firm up |
| Fogged lens or water inside | Failed seal | Replace the fixture |
| Dark section | Break or loose connection | Trace and repair |
| Lights on at the wrong time | Timer or photocell | Reset or clean |
What the cold does and does not do
Freeze and thaw moves clay, so fixtures can lift or lean. Low-voltage LED handles cold well. The weak points are seals, connections and cheap materials. Plastic can go brittle, and thin metal can corrode. For wet or exposed spots, brass lasts better, and we offer lifetime-brass fixture options. See our lighting page.
What to leave alone
Do not stretch exposed wire or bury it with a shovel, which can nick it. Do not open the transformer. Do not try to fix a wet fixture by drying it out. A seal that failed will fail again.
Why winter repairs are efficient
Crews are less rushed in winter. Bare plants make aiming easier, and ground is soft enough to work after rain. Fixing things now means your lights are ready for the evenings when the family is outside, and for spring growth to come.
What it costs
Our minimum service call is $95. New fixtures start from $195 each. Anything bigger is quoted before work starts, and the estimate is free. If you have never had your system looked at, a dusk visit is a good way to start, and we offer a live demo before you commit to any new design.
Using the quiet season to plan
Winter is also the time to decide what you want next. With bare plants you can see where light is missing: the side yard, the back steps, the stretch of driveway. Standing in the yard at dusk with a notepad shows more than any drawing. If you want to add fixtures, we can design the layout in the cold months, and you can see it demonstrated live before you commit. Then the work is ready to go in when the ground and the plants allow.
When to call us
Call when a section is dark, fixtures are full of water, or the beams are not where they should be. We offer same-day service, answer day and night and are family-owned, licensed and insured. See our landscape lighting design page.
FAQ
Does cold weather hurt landscape lighting? LED handles cold well. Seals, connections and low-grade materials are the weak spots.
Why does my light shine in a neighbour’s window now? Without leaves, beams reach farther. Re-aiming or shielding fixes it.
Should I leave my lights on all winter? Yes, on a timer or photocell. They use little power and keep the yard safe in the long dark.
What does a lighting repair cost? Our minimum service call is $95, with a firm number before work begins.
Prices from our price list. Updated October 2026.