Fix Broken Christmas Lights with Heat Shrink Tubing

Christmas trees are just trees, unless they are covered with Christmas lights - they are an essential part of the festive season.

However, as anyone who’s spent ages wrapping them carefully round the branches, only to find they should’ve probably plugged them in and tested them first, they often let us down, suffering from issues like broken or cut wires.

As well as stopping the lights from working (and making Dad swear) these issues also pose potential safety hazards. Fortunately, with the right tools and our help, you can repair your Christmas lights simply and effectively. And one of the best tools to use is heat shrink tubing; a versatile material designed to insulate and protect wires.

Before starting the repair, it's vital that you identify the damaged sections of the wiring.

Common signs of broken wires include lights that flicker, entire sections of the strand that won’t light up, or visible damage to the insulation. Give the wire a thorough check over for cuts, frays, or exposed areas.

Using heat shrink tubing not only gets the lights back working and Christmas back on track, it also keeps them working safely for many more Christmasses to come.

Christmas light wires are delicate and get knocked about during storage or use and damage can result from accidental cuts, excessive bending, or ageing insulation. Or the family cat.

Unbelievably, many years ago, people used to put live candles on Christmas trees, but even modern electric lights can be potential fire hazards, often through short circuiting.

Fixing them properly with heat shrink (and our help_ means you can enjoy a safe Christmas.

Step 1: Preparing the Wire

Begin by cutting and stripping the broken wire. Use a wire stripper to remove about half an inch of insulation from both ends of the broken wire. Ensure the exposed wires are clean and free of damage, as this will create a solid base for the repair.

Step 2: Soldering the Wire

Once the wires are ready, solder them together for a secure connection. Twist the exposed ends together, and then solder to bond them. This is vital to ensure a strong and reliable connection that won’t easily come apart.

Step 3: Applying Heat Shrink Tubing

Select a piece of heat shrink tubing that fits snugly over the repaired wire. If you’re unsure of the size you need, check out our size guide.

Slide the tubing over the soldered area, making sure it covers the entire exposed section. Heat shrink tubing provides an additional layer of insulation and protects the connection from moisture and wear.

Step 4: Using a Heat Gun

Using a heat gun (or hairdryer if you don’t have one), apply heat evenly to the tubing until it shrinks securely around the wire. Avoid overheating, as this can damage the tubing or the wire itself. The tubing should fit snugly, creating a long-lasting, insulated seal.

Step 5: Finalising the Repair

If you want to be extra protected, wrap the repaired section with electrical tape. This adds an extra layer of insulation and secures the repair even further.

Once complete, test the lights to make sure they’re now back to their twinkly best!

• Always unplug the lights before starting any repairs – you might get a shock!
• Taking the decorations down isn’t much fun compared to putting them up but, when Christmas is over, spend some time storing your lights carefully to avoid future damage.
• While you’re making the repairs, spend a few minutes looking for any sections that may be close to breaking and add heat shrink to those to prevent problems later.
• Always use high-quality heat shrink tubing for the very best results!