Can A Ring Doorbell Get Wet
Ring Doorbells are water resistant and can get wet from normal rainfall and snow, but they’re not waterproof and shouldn’t be fully submerged in water or drenched with a hose or pressure washer. So be careful when washing the house. I recommend disconnecting the unit or covering it in plastic to keep it dry before you start working. Where you mount the doorbell can help keep it dry. It’s best to keep your Ring device under a protective overhang like a roof, awning or large soffits. They’ll protect the device from rainwater falling from above.
Another way to keep a Ring Doorbell dry is with a Weather Block Mount or Slip-On Cover. They provide a small cap on top of the Ring to help block water and sun glare. They work like wearing a baseball cap on a sunny day or in the rain. This also helps protect the device from extreme heat and extreme weather conditions.
An area that may be susceptible to water penetration is the small holes in the back of the Ring where the wires pass through. When I install a Ring, I apply some silicone after the wiring is done to help seal the hole.
Ring Doorbells are designed for exterior use. Their internal electrical components are protected by an outer shell that locks and seals tight. I’ve used them on dozens of homes and never had an issue with water penetration. As long as you install them correctly with no exposed wiring, they should be fine under normal conditions.
Can Ring Doorbell withstand elements? Yes, but consider detaching your Ring in a really bad storm or cover it tightly with a plastic bag to help keep water out.
Almost all functions are available without a Ring Doorbell subscription; however, some advanced features require one.
What Happens When Ring Doorbells Get Wet?
Ring Doorbells are not waterproof; they’re water resistant. Exterior Ring products are designed for outdoor use and can generally withstand adverse weather conditions like rain and snow. But they can’t be fully submerged in water. So there’s always a slim possibility water could damage the device if some moisture gets in.
When your Ring Doorbell gets wet, let it dry out normally. You don’t have to dry it yourself by hand. The only time I would recommend drying the Ring manually is if water leaves a residue over the camera lens.
An area where water could get into a Ring Doorbell is the small holes in the back where wires pass through. The Ring’s outer shell is very tight and seals out water. But the wire holes still have a little room after the wires are installed.
Here are a few things you can do to protect your Ring from water damage:
- Seal the wire holes with a bit of silicone to keep water out.
- You could also silicone other seams and small gaps in the device cover.
- Install a Weather Blocking Mount to protect it from heavy sun and rain.
- Use a slip on Ring cover.
- Install the Ring under a roof, awning or large overhanging soffit.
Ring Doorbells have become very popular because of their camera, safety features and user-friendly interface.
I’ve personally installed dozens of Ring Doorbells and never had an issue with water. But if you live in an area that gets heavy rain, you may want to take some extra precautions to seal the unit and protect it from excess water.
To help prevent water from getting into your Ring mount it at the proper height. To learn how high to install Ring Doorbell, click the link.
Is Ring Doorbell Waterproof?
No, Ring doorbell is not waterproof, it’s water resistant. Every Ring Video Doorbell model is designed to be installed outside and can get wet from regular rain, snow, and ice. The Ring’s sensitive internal electrical components are protected by an outer shell. However, if water penetrates into the device, it could cause a short circuit.
Whenever I install a Ring Doorbell, I use a small amount of silicone around all penetrations. This helps waterproof the Ring even further by sealing small holes.
I also install a cover on top if the Ring isn’t under an eave. This helps keep heavy rain from soaking the top of the device.
Ring Doorbells aren’t waterproof, but there are some things you can do to help keep water out. If you live in an area that sees heavy rainfall or snow, consider doing a little extra waterproofing, and make sure to install the Ring according to the manufacturers specifications.
Can Rain Mess Up A Ring Doorbell?
Ring Doorbell’s are water resistant, but not waterproof. They’re designed for outdoor use and can get wet from normal amounts of rain and snow. Their internal electrical components are protected by an outer shell that locks tight and seals out water. However, if water gets into the device it could mess things up.
Just like any electronic device, a Ring Doorbell’s internal components can’t get wet. Electricity and water don’t mix. If water gets into the unit it will most likely stop working completely or could start to malfunction.
When electrical components like circuit boards get wet while powered, they short. Shorting are small power surges that damage tiny wires, soldering and small electrical components. If this happens the Ring could be permanently damaged.
Hard wired Ring Doorbell models access the internet via an Ethernet cable. if the cable gets wet, the Ring could go offline. So it’s essential that you keep water out of the Ring. For a list of the best video doorbells without Wi-Fi, click the link.
In some cases, once the Ring dries out it could start working properly again.
If water gets into your Ring Doorbell, turn off the power immediately. Remove the unit from the wall and wiring and allow it to dry out completely. Don’t touch the internal components, just let them air dry naturally.
Once the device is dry, reinstall it. If no permanent damage is done it should start working normally. But if not, contact Ring. Your unit may still be under warranty.
How Do You Get Water Out Of A Ring Doorbell?
If water gets into your Ring Doorbell, shut off the power immediately. Water and electrical components don’t mix.
Once the power is off, remove the doorbell from the wall mount and disconnect the wiring.
Bring the doorbell inside and remove the outer shell. This will expose some of the internal components. Let the Ring sit in the open air. Any moisture inside will evaporate naturally over time. Don’t wipe the Ring with a towel or cloth. Just let it dry out on its own. You could damage an electrical component and do more damage than the water.
Once the Ring is completely dry, put the cover back on and reinstall it. If the water didn’t do any damage the Ring should work normally. If it doesn’t work contact Ring. Your unit may still be under warranty.
Try to find out how and where the water got into your Ring. Check the small holes in the back where the doorbell wires are installed. Whenever I install a Ring I squeeze some silicone into the holes after I install the wires.
Check the Ring’s location. They can handle normal amounts of rain. But if a roof line or gutter is dumping water on top of them, they could get overwhelmed.
The most likely cause of water damage is improper installation. Make sure the outer shell is properly sealed and tight.
How To Protect Your Ring Doorbell From Rain?
If you want to stop the rain from falling on your Ring Doorbell, you have to cover it from above. However, this will only stop falling rainwater and not driving rain that falls sideways due to heavy winds. This is the type of rain that could most likely damage the doorbell.
Are Ring Doorbells Waterproof? No, they’re water-resistant. Ring doorbells are designed for outdoor use and have built-in features to safeguard them from rain and snow. But they can’t be fully submerged in water.
So, there’s always a small possibility water could damage the device if any moisture gets in.
An area where water could get into a Ring Doorbell is the small holes in the back where wires pass through. The Ring’s outer shell is very tight and seals out water. But the wire holes still have a little room after the wires are installed.
Here are a few things you can do to stop the rain on your Ring Doorbell:
- Seal the wire holes with some silicone to keep water out.
- You could also silicone other seams and small gaps in the Ring’s cover.
- Install a Weather Blocking Mount to protect it from heavy sun and rain.
- Use a slip on Ring cover.
- Install the Ring under a roof, awning or large overhanging soffit.
The best ways to stop rain from falling on your Ring is to cover it from above and seal the unit with a little silicone in case there’s driving rain.
How To Protect My Ring Doorbell From Water?
There are a few good ways to keep Ring Doorbell safe and protect it from rainwater, direct sunlight, and other harsh weather conditions.
Weather Blocking Mount: A Ring Doorbell Weather Blocking Mount is installed behind the doorbell. They have a small cap that sits on top of the device to block rain and sun glare. The effect is similar to wearing a baseball cap on a sunny or rainy day.
Slip-On Ring Cover: A Ring Doorbell protective waterproof cover work just like a Weather Block Mount except that they slip on after the doorbell is installed and not before. They’re great if you already have a Ring and don’t want to disconnect it to install the mount. They’re also less permanent, so if you don’t like it, just slip it off.
Overhang: There are 2 main types of overhangs that can protect Ring Doorbell from water: a roof and a soffit; both offer great rain protection. Soffits are a part of your home’s roof framing and are hard to add if your home doesn’t already have them. But you could build a small roof over the door to protect the Ring and people from rain.
Awning: An awning is a semi-permanent way to protect the ring when it rains. Just make sure not to roll it out in high winds. I’ve found that awnings work best when you install a Ring on the back door.
Silicone: I Seal all areas where wiring penetrates into the doorbell with silicone.
Keep in mind that covering the top of your Ring Doorbell will protect it from falling rain but not from driving rain. However, you can cover the doorbell tightly with a plastic bag.
Make sure there are no penetrations and use waterproof tape or string to secure the bag.
Can Doorbell Wires Get Wet?
Is Ring Video Doorbell Waterproof? No, they’re water resistant. Doorbell wires that power the Ring are low voltage and encased in a protective covering. If any moisture gets onto the outer covering, it won’t affect the doorbell or your electrical system. However, if the metal wires inside the outer covering get wet, it will create a short.
- The metal inner part of the doorbell wire is what carries electricity. And electricity and water don’t mix. If the wires get wet, you’ll most likely trip a breaker and could damage the doorbell.
- Some older doorbells ran on 110v power, just like a regular outlet or switch. This is a lot more power than a low-voltage modern doorbell wire. If the inner part of the wire gets wet, it should trip a breaker or blow a fuse, which could potentially damage the doorbell’s electrical system.
- When electrical wires get wet and trip a breaker, there’s always a small chance of fire if the wire sparks. Make sure to do everything you can to keep wiring dry. This even includes low-voltage doorbell wiring.
A trick I use is to put some silicone around the area where the wires enter the Ring Video Doorbell outer shell. Once the wires are inserted, before you mount the Ring, silicone the hole to prevent water from entering; this added layer of protection can really help if water drips behind the device.
Is Ring Doorbell 2 Waterproof?
Ring Doorbell 2 is water resistant and can get wet from normal rainfall and snow, but no Ring Video Doorbell model is 100% waterproof, and they shouldn’t be fully submerged in water or drenched with a hose or pressure washer.
- Be careful when washing the house. I recommend disconnecting the unit or covering it in plastic to keep it dry before you start working.
- Where you mount a Ring Doorbell 2 can help keep it dry.
- It’s best to keep your Ring devices under a protective overhang like a roof, awning or large soffits if you can. They’ll protect the unit from rainwater falling from above.
Ring Doorbell 2 is designed for exterior use. Its internal electrical components are protected by an outer shell that locks and seals tight.
I’ve used Ring Doorbells on dozens of homes and never had an issue with water penetration. As long as you install them correctly with no exposed wiring, they should be fine.
Is Ring Doorbell 3 Waterproof?
Ring Doorbell 3 is water resistant and can get wet from normal rainfall and snow, but Ring Video Doorbells are not waterproof and shouldn’t be fully submerged in water or drenched with a hose or pressure washer.
- Be careful when washing the house. I recommend disconnecting the unit or covering it in plastic to keep it dry before you start working.
- Where you mount a Ring Doorbell 3 can help keep it dry.
- It’s best to keep your Ring device under a protective overhang like a roof, awning or large soffits if you can. They’ll protect the unit from rainwater falling from above.
Ring Doorbell 3 is designed for exterior use. Its internal electrical components are protected by an outer shell that locks and seals tight.
I’ve used Ring Doorbells on dozens of homes and never had an issue with water penetration. I’ve also upgraded many homes from a Ring Doorbell 2 to a 3. As long as you install them correctly with no exposed wiring, they should be fine.
Are Ring Security Cameras Waterproof?
No, Ring Security cameras are not waterproof; they’re water resistant. Make sure to install them properly and do not allow any water to enter the device.
A trick I use is to seal all penetration points where wires enter the device with silicone. This additional layer of protection helps keep moisture off the internal electrical components.
If you have any questions about a Ring Doorbell, email any time.
John Mazzuca | About | More Posts |
Custom Home Builder
John Mazzuca is a custom home designer and builder at Gambrick with over 25 years experience in the construction industry. John has designed, built and/or remodeled hundreds of homes, small buildings, and commercial projects. He writes about business, real estate, home building, and household electronics. His work has been featured in Fox Business, Better Homes & Garden, House Beautiful, and more.