Why You Should Check Your Pool Lights This Winter
When Matt in Roseville turned on his backyard lights during a cold December evening, he noticed something odd. The pool lights didn’t glow the way they used to. One flickered, another looked dim, and one didn’t turn on at all. Since nobody had been swimming for weeks, he hadn’t checked them in a while.
What he didn’t realize was that winter is one of the best times to check your pool lights, because cold weather often reveals problems before spring arrives. Pool lights work hard all summer, and winter is when small issues finally show themselves.
Why Pool Lights Get Weak During Winter
Cold weather makes electrical parts tighten, seals shrink, and older fixtures act up. While your pool sits unused, your lights still deal with moisture, pressure, and temperature changes.
Common winter problems include:
Loose bulbs
Worn-out gaskets
Water inside the light housing
Flickering from old wiring
Lights dimming from age
Outdated fixtures that need replacement
Winter exposes these problems earlier than homeowners expect.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Flickering or Dim Lights
Even a small flicker can be a sign of something bigger. A bad seal or a loose fixture can let water seep into the housing. Once water gets inside, the light may stop working altogether.
Waiting until spring makes repairs harder, more expensive, and sometimes unsafe.
How To Spot Trouble Early
You can do a simple check without getting in the water.
Look for:
Bubbles inside the light cover
Fogging or moisture
Lights that turn on and off randomly
Sections of the water looking darker
Strange humming sounds
These early signs help you know when it’s time to get a light inspected.
Why Cold Weather Affects Wiring
Older fixtures shrink slightly during cold nights. This movement can loosen wiring or shrink seals. When that happens, moisture starts creeping in. Because the water is cold, the problem spreads slowly and often goes unnoticed for weeks.
How To Take Care of Pool Lights This Winter
Turn Lights On Once a Week
Even during winter, running the lights helps you catch problems early.
Check Gaskets and Lenses
Worn gaskets let water in. Replacing them early saves the whole fixture.
Keep Water Level Steady
If the water gets too low due to weather changes, it puts pressure on light housings.
Remove Debris Near Lights
Leaves settling around fixtures hold moisture that can seep in.
Call a Professional for Any Moisture Inside
Water inside a light should be handled right away.
Why Winter Is the Best Time for Light Repairs
Because you’re not swimming, winter repairs are quicker, safer, and easier to schedule. Fixing lights now prevents delays when warm weather returns.
Keep Your Pool Safe and Bright All Year
Matt decided to check his lights before spring, and he found a worn gasket that needed replacement. Fixing it early kept the light from burning out and saved him from a complete fixture replacement.
American Dream Pool & Spa Service helps homeowners in Lincoln, Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay, Sheridan, Loomis, and Penryn keep their pools safe and running smoothly through every season. If your pool lights look dim, foggy, or uneven this winter, we’ll help get them fixed before they turn into a bigger repair.
