Walkover paving lights - more hassle than it's worth?

[Brahman Naren]

Hi All

My first post here, and looking for advice on a full home renovation that is about to start. They are kicking off with some garden work whilst the builders knock down half the house, so I suspect this will be question 1 of many questions over the next year.

They are about to start the foundation for the paving and then lay down the paving slabs. So I am looking to install walkover lights in my garden paving to outline the paving edge.

The electrician said he can do it, however, he recommended that I do not go ahead with this and instead install small lighting posts on the various corners of the paving.

He said the walkover lights will break after a few years and are then difficult to replace. He said that water will eventually get in from beneath or above and break down the seal or find away into the fixture/cabling resulting in the fixture ultimately failing. Even with the gel and various protection methods he claimed it will ultimately fail faster than expected. Whilst the posts do not have the same risks and can also be easily replaced.

The walkover lights are more convenient, less intrusive and look better. However if they fail frequently, I won't be able to afford to replace them.

Is this true? I am not experienced with this, what should I do?

 

[FatAlan]

If you go to Pompeii, the Romans used fluorescent pieces of marble incorporated into the road surface to provide markers for the road at night.

 

[Toneyz]

I would if I could remember pretty sure my drive over lights were from TLC Though?

Are they mains LED if not where do you install the driver?

 

[Toneyz]

I would if I could remember pretty sure my drive over lights were from TLC Though?

Are they mains LED if not where do you install the driver?

 

[MFS Electrical]

Are they mains LED if not where do you install the driver?

Mains GU10s recently upgraded to LED lamps when I stuck in my soffit lights

 

[Brahman Naren]

This is one I disagree with I’ve had drive-over lights on my driveway for years in rainy greenock and only 1 problem was a duff fitting that was a leaker. Get a good brand. The more you pay now the less you’ll pay in the long run.... Make sure he reads the instructions and installs them right.... most lights need a good layer of gravel underneath sort of like a french drain.

Really? It would really appreciate if I can get some recommendations for brands/lights.

And for draining, what would I tell the builders/electricians to do to ensure there is sufficient?

 

[Brahman Naren]

Are you sure that having hard landscape done before main building work is the right order and that your new paving and fancy lighting isn’t going to be trashed by Mr builder and his big digger sorting out foundations and new drainage etc?

I agree. It wasn't the ideal option, however, with what has progressed so far, there will not be much happening in the back garden area anymore after this so the risk is minimal.

 

[MJPD29]

He is right. They are problematic and difficult to repair and replace. I would also avoid them

 

[MFS Electrical]

Found them Drive or Walk Over Decking Lights LED Halogen - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_External_Index/DriveOver_Light/index.html

These are the ones I’ve had for years
Stainless Steel Walkover / Drive over Uplighter Square Face - IP67 - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLW35GUSQ.html

 

[buzzlightyear]

Ansell Outdoor Uplights - The Electrical Counter - https://www.electricalcounter.co.uk/products/Lighting/Outdoor+Lighting/Ansell+Outdoor+Lighting/Uplights

 

[MFS Electrical]

Really? It would really appreciate if I can get some recommendations for brands/lights.

And for draining, what would I tell the builders/electricians to do to ensure there is sufficient?

Most of the lights instructions specify installation methods. I can’t remember exactly but I know there had to be a specific type of gravel under them to a certain depth and being greenock I decided to connect all the wee gravel pits together with ducting so they would drain away easier

 

[Toneyz]

See I would go for a GU10 LED as there is less to go wrong. Out of interest, these fittings come pre-flexed what do you find the best to use in regards to wiring and terminating between the two and do you take each cable back to a central internal point or daisy chain. I fitted some Collingwood colour changing and the driver was internal but needed 5 core flex.

 

[Edtwozeronine]

Sounds like he's giving you good advice, posts are certain to be more easily repaired than stuff set in paving. In the long run you may find you have to pull up paving slabs just to fix some lighting circuits.

 

[cliffed]

I’ve installed ground & walk over lights they were mains & low voltage.Thats over a year ago,no problems with them.
Made sure water could get away,stones/gravel in bottom of fixing tube,enough room to make connection,& heat shrinked with wago’s,bit of a pain I must admit.
I’ve got little column lights in my garden...

 

[mattg4321]

These won't give you any problems. They will never rust either being 316 stainless. Not really cheap if you want a few, but it's the only brand I'll fit in the ground.

Never fit anything less than IP68 ground lights. Anything else I've tried has only lasted a few months to a couple of years. Water gets in. These are submersible to 9m depth in water.

I would consider other ELV walkover lights but I've tended to stick with what I know and trust the past 6 or 7 years since I started using Collingwood.

GL018 C - Collingwood Lighting - https://www.collingwoodlighting.com/index.php/en/products/ground-lights/item/gl018c-uk

 

[The Ghost]

HI @Brahman Naren I am the electrician that told you pavement lights weren't good. So you don't trust me? Why don't you get one of the trusted members on here to do the work for you then? As to recommendations I have already given you some, not good enough then?