Are you wondering if pool lights need to be submerged? For pool owners, pool lights are considered the hottest trend because not only do they provide adequate lighting, they also provide aesthetic appeal. If you are planning to add a pool light into your swimming pool, you need to know the different types of pool lights that are available on the market. To help you get started, we have shared tips and information below that you can refer to.
Are pool lights submerged? Pool lights do not need to be submerged in water. There is a wide array of pool lights available on the market. These lights can be submerged underwater, float above the water, and installed at the side of the pool, and is half-submerged in water. You can choose one according to your needs and specifications.
The popularity and consumer demand for pool lights have caused the market to grow. You can now have many options to choose from. Aside from the different types of pool lights, you can choose from the wide array of colorful lighting to create the ideal ambiance for your pool during the night. Let us learn more about pool lights and their different types below.
What are Submersible Pool Lights?
Submersible pool lights are the type of lights that can be submerged underwater. Most of these lights are battery or solar-powered. They come in different styles, sizes, and colors and will illuminate the bottom of your pool during the night. We have also shared this buying guide about the best underwater submersible pool lights. Check out the best products that are included in our list.
Should Pool Light have Water in It?
Pool lights should not have water inside them. The water inside the pool light does not necessarily mean that the light is leaking, but that the lamp gasket has failed which results in water leaking inside and surrounding the bulb. Pool lights that have water inside can be a potentially hazardous situation and should be repaired immediately.
Are Submersible Pool Lights Safe?
Submersible pool lights are safe to use. They are sealed inside a protective waterproof casing that prevents water from reaching inside the bulb. To prevent the danger of the wiring and damage to the pool lights, make sure that you do regular check-ups and maintenance. This is especially true if your pool light is electric.
Types of Pool Lights
The common types of pool lights include flush-mounted underwater lights, surface-mounted underwater lights, floating lights, spotlights, and submersible lights. These lights have their pros and cons and can provide a lot of benefits for your pool. Let us learn more about these types of pool lights below.
Flush-Mounted Underwater Lights
These types of pool lights are mounted flush in the pool wall. When installing flush-mounted underwater light, the walls of the pool need to be cut out. Because of this, flush-mounted underwater lights are usually installed when the pool is being constructed.
Surface-Mounted Underwater Lights
These types of pool lights are also mounted on the pool wall. On the other hand, they are designed to be installed on the surface of the wall rather than inside a hole. For this reason, surface-mounted underwater lights are easier to install and more versatile. These types of lights are both functional and decorative.
Floating Lights
These types of lights are designed to float on the surface of the water. You can find a wide array of floating lights in different colors. Floating lights can be used as a temporary or permanent decoration. However, floating lights are not as bright as compared underwater lights. Hence, they are not your best option when it comes to safety.
Spotlights
Spotlights are not used in the pool itself but to draw attention to the pool area. You can use these types of lighting to light up ponds, arches, fountains, and other pool architectural features. While these lights are not installed inside the pool, they should still be water-resistant to withstand the rain.
Submersible Lights
These pool lights are easy to use because they do not need any installation. Submersible pool lights sink to the bottom of the pool to light up the surface area of the water. You can find a wide array of sizes, shapes, and colors of submersible lights that are available on the market.
✅ Video – Submersible LED Pool Lights
Fuller Farm shared the video below on YouTube. In the video below, submersible LED lights are reviewed. Check out the video to find out how to install submersible pool lights without silicone.
What is the Best Pool Light?
The best pool light is the one that suits your needs and specifications. It can be able to provide you with the lighting experience that you need. The light should be made from high-quality materials and can last for a long time. The best pool lights are also safe to use, functional, and can provide aesthetics to your pool. We have also shared this article that discusses if pool lights are worth it. Check out the article for an in-depth discussion about the topic.
How Do You Install a Submersible Pool Light?
Submersible pool lights are easy to install and there is no need for a major pool renovation project. You do not even need to drain out the pool. Below are the steps that you need to take when installing a submersible pool light.
Step 1: Choose a Light
Make sure that you choose the right submersible light for your pool. To do this, you need to consider a lot of factors like the parts that will have to be replaced, the size of your pool, and the electrical work that is required. You also need to consider how many lights you need to illuminate your pool during the night. Make sure to compare one product to another so that you can make the best deal.
Step 2: Assemble the Light
The next step that you need to do is to assemble to light. Make sure that you assemble the pool light according to the specifications of the manufacturer. Also, check all seals to make sure that it is water-tight. You can do this by submerging the light pool light in shallow water and check if there are bubbles coming off.
Step 3: Set-Up Power Supply
Once you have assembled the lights, you need to set up the power supply. Battery-operated light simply needs their batteries installed. If you have a corded light, you need to set up a power source. Locate the GFCI outlet that is the closest to your pool and that the light cord can reach. Mount the light transformer to the wall next to the outlet and plug the pool light in.
Step 4: Install Pool Lights
Most submersible lights are batter and solar-powered so there is no need for any wiring. All that you need to do is to attach the battery to the pool light, turn it on, and drop it in the pool until it is fully submerged in water. Make sure that you test the light to guarantee that it is properly working. For pool lights that work on electricity, mount them on the pool wall according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Can You Change a Pool Light Underwater?
You can change the pool light underwater. The good thing is that when you replace an in-ground pool light, there is no need to drain the water from the pool. The replacement is also easy and you do not need to hire the services of a professional. Take note that the housing design of the pool light will determine if you can remove it from the pool without disconnecting any wiring. Below are the steps that you can follow to safely replace the pool light.
Turn Off Circuit Breaker
The first thing that you need to do is to turn off the circuit breaker of the swimming pool light. To do this step safely, you can place a non-contact voltage tester against the wall switch of the swimming pool light. The tester will serve as a warning if there is a presence of electricity by flashing and beeping. Next, turn on the switch and double-check for the presence of electricity. Once you have made sure that there is no electricity, turn the switch back off.
Open the Pool Light Housing
The next thing that you need to do is to open the pool light housing. To do this, you need to look for a single screw along the bottom of the pool light housing bezel. You might need to enter the pool to access the screw if you cannot reach it from outside the pool. Next, remove the screw from the housing.
Remove the Pool Housing
The next step is to remove the pool light housing from the side of the pool. Usually, the pool light housing features a long and waterproof cord that is attached to it which makes it possible to replace the light from outside the water. Remove the housing pool light and place it outside the pool.
Check and Repair Any Damage to the Housing
Check behind the bezel for the brass screw that holds the bezel, light housing gasket, and lens to the housing. Next, loosen the screws to release the bezel, gasket, and lens. Make sure to remove any screws that are damaged or corroded and replace them with new ones. Do not forget to inspect the gasket if there are any wear, cracks, or crimps and make the necessary repair and replacement.
Replace the Light Bulb
Make sure that you dry the housing with a towel to get rid of any moisture. Next, remove the original light bulb by untwisting it from the housing socket. Use a replacement bulb with the same shape, size, and wattage as the original bulb. Next, screw the replacement bulb in place.
Install New Light Housing
If applicable, you can install the new light housing gasket around the edge of the light lens. Next, place the lens on the end of the housing and install the bezel over it. Make sure that you securely tighten the screws that hold the bezel to the pool light housing.
Insert Housing into the Pool
The next step that you need to do is to place the housing cord around the housing and insert the housing into the pool light opening. Check if there is a steady stream of air bubbles that escapes from the housing once you have submerged it in the water. See to it that you properly remove and replace the bezel, gasket, and lens to make sure that the pool light is tightly sealed and protected against water seepage. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses what happens to outdoor lights when it rains. We have shared tips and information that you can refer to.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses if pool lights are submerged. We have found out that pool lights do not need to be submerged in water. Moreover, we have discussed the different types of pool lights that you can choose from. We hope that this article has helped you decide which type of pool light you need for your home. Thank you for reading!