How to Install Outdoor String Lights | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman helps a homeowner give her backyard space some charm and coziness with a simple lighting upgrade. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Backyard spaces can be an opportunity to put your personal style on display outdoors. But in many developments, backyards are relatively basic and need a bit of help. When a homeowner asked master electrician Heath Eastman about dressing up her deck with some outdoor string lights, he knew just what to do to brighten that backyard space. Where to find it? Heath uses exterior-rated string lights [https://ift.tt/uMKj2eq], which can be found at any home center and simply need to be rated for outdoor use. To hang the lights, Heath uses a universal mounting kit [https://ift.tt/hjTdyk4] which includes 4 powder-coated steel poles. Each pole extends to 10 feet tall. Heath uses a drill [https://ift.tt/nxRIcs3] and exterior decking screws [https://ift.tt/j60ISuL] to secure the base of each pole to the 4 outer edges of the patio. To hang the string lights: Heath uses a ladder [https://ift.tt/IuyNFc5] to carefully hang the wires of the string lights to each metal anchor hook [https://ift.tt/ioV5PUR]. Heath then secures the wires to the hooks using threaded links. Heath mounts the smart switch inside by drilling two small holes to secure the bracket of the smart switch [https://ift.tt/xBQj7b1] in place. All supplies used for this project can be found at most home centers. Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH Materials: Post hardware including fasteners [https://ift.tt/hjTdyk4] Heavy-duty hooks [https://ift.tt/ioV5PUR] Steel support cable [https://ift.tt/nPXIuHt] String lights [https://ift.tt/uMKj2eq] Outdoor smart plug [https://ift.tt/xBQj7b1] Exterior decking screws [https://ift.tt/j60ISuL] Tools: Level [https://ift.tt/7G4HNBE] Drill driver [https://ift.tt/nxRIcs3] Drill bits [https://ift.tt/4nlqjQg] Tape measure [https://ift.tt/caRDseS] Hacksaw [https://ift.tt/0PWA3I8] Wire cutters [https://ift.tt/hQ5qF6f] Wrench or socket set [https://ift.tt/tSOlw0p] Ladder [https://ift.tt/IuyNFc5] Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://ift.tt/hA3v578 About Ask This Old House TV: From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home. Follow This Old House: Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest Instagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG How to Install Outdoor String Lights | Ask This Old House https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/