Permanent Lighting Warranty and Maintenance: What Actually Needs Doing

What a Permanent Lighting Warranty Should Cover

Warranties in this industry vary a lot, so read the fine print. Some cover only the LEDs for a few years, others separate parts and labour, and some exclude the controller or power supply. Our systems carry a lifetime warranty on parts, hardware and workmanship, which means the LEDs, track, cable, connectors, controller, power supply and the quality of the installation itself are all included.

Workmanship coverage matters as much as product coverage. If a joint was not sealed properly or a run was mounted incorrectly, the problem is installation rather than a faulty LED, and a parts-only warranty would leave you paying for the service call. When comparing installers, ask exactly what is covered, for how long, who performs the repairs and how quickly they respond.

• LEDs, track, cable and connectors
• Controller and power supply
• Installation workmanship, including sealing and mounting
• Labour to diagnose and repair covered issues

How Long Permanent LEDs Last

Our LEDs are rated for 50,000 plus hours of operation. To put that in context, running the lights six hours every single night adds up to about 2,190 hours a year, so the rated life works out to well over twenty years of nightly use. Most homeowners run their lights fewer hours than that, particularly in summer when sunset is late.

LED life is affected most by heat and by how hard the LEDs are driven. Running scenes at moderate brightness rather than full power, which most people prefer for appearance anyway, is gentle on the components. Southwestern Ontario's cool climate also helps, since cold weather is easy on LEDs. Like any electronic product, individual failures can still happen, which is what the warranty is for.

Simple Yearly Maintenance Checklist

There is no annual service visit required. Once or twice a year, ideally in spring after the snow melts and again in early fall before the holiday season, run a bright white scene at dusk and walk around the house. Look for any section that is dim, the wrong colour or not lit, and check that the track is straight and secure after winter.

If the track looks dusty or has spider webs, which is common under soffits, a gentle rinse with a garden hose or a soft brush with mild soapy water is enough. Avoid pressure washers aimed directly at the track or connections. Keep the app updated, and confirm the controller is still online if you have changed your router or internet provider.

Working Around Roofers, Gutter Installers and Painters

The most common cause of damage to permanent lighting is not weather; it is other work on the house. Roof replacements, new gutters, eavestrough cleaning, soffit or fascia replacement and exterior painting all happen right where the lights are mounted. A crew that does not know the lights are there can step on cable, pry the track or paint over it.

Before any exterior work, let the contractor know about the lighting and contact us. In many cases sections can be carefully removed and reinstalled, or the crew simply works around them. Damage caused by third parties is generally outside any warranty, so a short phone call beforehand can save a repair bill afterwards. Reinstallation can usually be scheduled quickly once the other work is finished.

What to Do If a Light or Section Stops Working

Start with the basics. Check that the outlet or breaker feeding the power supply has not tripped, since exterior GFCI outlets can trip during heavy rain or when other devices share the circuit. Power-cycle the controller by unplugging it for thirty seconds. Confirm the app shows the controller online. Many apparent failures are resolved by one of these steps. Note the outlet location in advance.

If one section is out or showing the wrong colour while the rest works, note where the problem starts and send a photo or video. Because the system is modular and housed in track, the affected section can be replaced without taking down the whole run. Call 519-266-6796; we respond within 24 hours and covered repairs are handled under the lifetime warranty.

Comparing Maintenance With Seasonal Christmas Lights

Seasonal lights require a full cycle of work every year: testing strings, replacing burnt-out bulbs, hanging, adjusting clips after storms, taking down in January, untangling and storing. Even when a professional does the work, it still has to be booked and paid for each season, and plastic clips and wire jackets degrade from repeated handling. Bulbs also burn out and need replacing.

Permanent lighting removes that cycle. The system stays sealed in its track, is not handled every year and does not need storage space in the garage or basement. For many Ontario homeowners, that reduction in hassle is as much a reason to switch as the colour options. It also frees up storage space in the garage or basement that boxes of tangled strings, clips and extension cords used to take over. Many owners say the time saved each November and January was what convinced them.