Outdoor TV’s require a different level of maintenance compared to indoor TV’s. When a television is placed outdoors, it is faced with much more strenuous conditions than when indoors. Although, if you take the proper precautions and maintain your TV setup properly, your TV can easily have the same extended lifetime that indoor TV’s have.
In an outdoor setting, the coaxial signal connection (the cable that screws into the back of the TV and/or cable box) can get corrosion built up on it. The corrosive build up can diminish the signal and eventually damage the connection if left for long enough. To prevent any kind of corrosion, it is best to make a monthly routine of unscrewing the coaxial cable and wiping the connection down with rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. This is one of the maintenance habits that can seem annoying at first, but can pay off big time in the long run saving you the trouble of having to hire an electrician to rewire the coaxial connection to your patio.
Outdoor TV’s are subject to the elements of the weather. Anything from rain, snow, mist, fog can damage your TV’s internal electronics. When your TV is not in use, it is best to cover it completely front to back and around the sides to prevent any dirt from getting inside the casing. The typical death of outdoor TV’s is from months worth of mildew build up and moisture within the plastic casing – it’s easy to prevent build up by covering your TV anytime it is not in use.
The placement of your outdoor television also has a large influence on extending it’s lifespan. When placing your TV, it is best to consider where winds could bring rain and snow. For example, if you have the option of mounting your LCD to a ceiling corner versus free standing on a low table it is a better choice to go with the ceiling mount in the corner because in most setups this will minimize the amount of weather elements the wind will hit the TV with. When placing your patio TV, you also want to consider where the most direct sunlight will be hitting. Ideally, you don’t want to have your TV being faced with any direct sunlight, as it will shorten the lifespan of its internal electronics. Covered shade areas are ideal.
Even with an ideal placement and usage of a heavy-duty outdoor cover, some dust and dirt can sneak through. It’s ideal to make a routine of wiping down the casing (not the LCD itself) with a wet wipe to rid of the dirt before it gets inside of the TV. The LCD can be wiped down using a wipe designed specifically for LCD screens, these kinds of wipes are available at any local drug store or electronics retailer.
At the end of the day, having a TV outdoors is no walk in the park but it does provide a fun way to bring your TV entertainment experience outside and can we well worth it for homeowners with a porch or other outdoor seating area.