Why Coastal Environments Kill CCTV, Video Surveillance & How to Protect Yours

If you live near the coast, you already know how tough the salty air can be on cars, outdoor furniture, and even the paint on your home. But one area people often overlook is how harsh coastal environments affect CCTV and video surveillance systems. Without proper protection and maintenance, expensive camera equipment can fail years earlier than expected — leaving your property vulnerable.

Recently, we worked with a large mobile home community just a few miles from the beach that ran into this exact issue. Their entire CCTV and Video Surveillance system from cameras, wireless bridges, and mounting hardware were deteriorating far faster than normal. Instead of the typical 5–7 years of dependable service, they were seeing failures in as little as 2–3 years. The culprit? Salt, moisture, and corrosion.

The Hidden Enemies of Coastal Surveillance Equipment

1. Salt Air Corrosion Salt particles in the air settle on camera housings, mounts, and internal components. Over time, this corrodes metal parts and weakens seals designed to keep moisture out.

2. Moisture Intrusion High humidity and fog create conditions where condensation builds inside cameras and network enclosures. This leads to foggy lenses, shorted circuit boards, and eventual total failure.

3. UV and Heat Exposure Coastal areas often have strong sun and wind. The combination breaks down plastics, causes seals to crack, and accelerates wear on outdoor-rated cables.

Uniview Camera That Handles Salt Air Well

Uniview designs many outdoor cameras that are built for harsh elements. Here are a few of the specs they use that make their gear especially good for salty, coastal environments:

• Uniview’s outdoor IP cameras often come with IP67 or IP66 ratings, which means good resistance to water, dust, and moisture. Uniview+1

• They also use graphene-reinforced housings on some models, which helps with corrosion resistance and improving durability in corrosive (salt air) environments. Uniview

• Their “Shipping Lane & Berth” solutions are tested under the extreme ASTM B117 Salt Spray (fog) test standard to validate ability to resist salt spray corrosion. Uniview

How to Protect Your CCTV System by the Coast

The good news? With the right planning, equipment, and ongoing care, you can extend the life of your surveillance system — even in a salty environment. Here’s how:

• Choose Marine-Grade or Coastal-Rated Equipment Not all “weatherproof” cameras are created equal. Look for housings with high IP ratings (IP66/IP67) and consider stainless steel or powder-coated hardware designed for corrosion resistance.

• Use Protective Mounts and Enclosures Sealed junction boxes and weatherproof conduit can keep salt and moisture away from vulnerable cable connections.

• Plan for Regular Maintenance In coastal environments, cleaning lenses, checking seals, and inspecting cabling should be done at least twice a year. Preventative service goes a long way toward reducing downtime.

• Strategic Replacements Before Failure Instead of waiting until cameras or bridges go down, plan to replace vulnerable components on a schedule. This avoids unexpected gaps in coverage.

• Leverage Wireless Bridges Carefully Many coastal properties rely on wireless bridges to cover long distances. These devices are particularly sensitive to salt corrosion. Make sure they’re housed in protective cases or swapped out on a predictable cycle.

Real-World Example: A Coastal Community Upgrade

At the coastal mobile home park we worked with, their clubhouse and pool cameras were going down one by one. We upgraded the system with weatherproof housings, corrosion-resistant hardware, and wireless bridges designed for outdoor use. Just as important, we set up a maintenance plan with scheduled cleanings and inspections.

The result? The community not only extended the life of their cameras but also gained peace of mind knowing their investment won’t fail when it’s needed most.

The Bottom Line

Living near the beach has plenty of perks — but it also means your technology needs extra care. If your property is close to the ocean, don’t treat CCTV systems as “set it and forget it.” With the right equipment and proactive service, you can beat the salty air and keep your surveillance running strong for years to come.

Is your CCTV system struggling against the coastal environment? Don’t wait until cameras fail when you need them most. Our team specializes in designing, installing, and maintaining video surveillance systems that stand up to salt air and moisture.

👉 Contact Ameritechs today for a free consultation and learn how we can protect your investment and keep your property secure year-round.