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Home Repair Replacing bulb above shower

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by KarlS, Sep 16, 2012.

  1. KarlS

    KarlS New Member

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    The light directly above our shower went out and I am at a loss on how to get at the bulb to replace it. It is a recessed light that is held in place by a torsion spring. So I am able to lower the whole fixture but cannot figure out how to remove the plastic cover to get at the bulb. I've tried twisting and prying it open but have had no luck and was hoping for some advice.


    Here are some pics that might help clarify what I am describing
    http://s1056.photobucket.com/albums/t374/keds777/Light fixture/

    Thanks
     
  2. beahmer

    beahmer Member

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    It has a screw holding the plastic part in place. Unscrew that and it should twist counter clockwise. Then reverse the process to put it back in.

    Don't drop the plastic piece. It doesn't react well to the floor. ;).
     
  3. KarlS

    KarlS New Member

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    Thanks beahmer but that didn't work either. I removed the one screw I could find and tried to twist off the cover but it would not budge. Could it just be that it's been up there a while and has become stuck so I just have to twist harder? I also was able to unhook the socket (the white part where the wires are attached) by pinching the 2 black metal clips so that I can actually see the base of the bulb but there is not enough clearance to actually remove it.
     
  4. beahmer

    beahmer Member

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    Could be the way the clips are holding the cover. Jiggle and twist at the same time. It doesnt always pop easily.
     
  5. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    When I jiggle and twist, all kinds of things start popping!
     
  6. Cooper

    Cooper New Member

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    I have the same issue now, I tried everything and gave up. Could you find a way to replace it?
     
  7. lauralynne

    lauralynne Member

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    Hi, I'm Karl's wife. We didn't find a way to replace it yet ... I admit I've gotten kind of used to showering without the light overhead, but it would be nice to have. We are thinking of asking a handyman if he has any advice about how to replace it. We had a plumber out recently for another issue and asked him about it, but he didn't know. I'll report back if we come up with a solution (or if we try and fail ...) :).
     
  8. beahmer

    beahmer Member

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    Its been a while - luckily for me becuase getting into the shower on a ladder is a PIA. But once you remove the screw the cover is held on the metal base with a couple pegs which require the twisting.

    Does the cover move at all - because even when mine it on the pegs it still jiggles some. If not, I cant remember if you could undo the wires and bring the fixture down where you could grip it better.
     
  9. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    Are you sure the cover is not held on by torsion spings? Our apartment had one just like it and it had the clips that snapped onto the rim of the cover. so in order to remove it you have to forcefully pull down on the cover while holding the junction box.
     
  10. lauralynne

    lauralynne Member

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    We finally had a handyman here for something else, and he was very comfortable on the ladder and able to pry the cover off and change the bulb. We had him do the other over-shower lights too while he was here, and we put in CFL bulbs, so hopefully we will never have to worry about it again. :)
     
  11. backtothewoooo

    backtothewoooo Member

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    What type/size light bulb is needed? I might have to pay a handyman to change ours and I want to make sure I have the right bulb ready.
     
  12. twohokies

    twohokies New Member

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    FWIW, our recessed light fixture doesn't have anything special holding the bulb in but we needed a special bulb. We couldn't find it at HD or Lowes and ended up ordering 1 + extras from Amazon. Ours is a long-neck flood if I recall. Depending on your situation, you may have to get it out first to determine what you need since I'd expect all the builders used different things, and changed things out over the years. Good luck!
     
  13. lauralynne

    lauralynne Member

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    Hi, I believe they were the standard size CFL bulbs, but it's possible the bulbs were the "shorter" size CFLs. We had several types available, and the handyman put them in. Sorry we don't remember the exact type or wattage. I do remember being happy that I didn't need to order special bulbs for the over-shower lights.
     
  14. backtothewoooo

    backtothewoooo Member

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    I don't really even want to take a ladder and check. I might end up with the bulb hanging out and be unable to put it back :blush:

    Has anybody who live in the Southerwalk townhouses (Van Metre Fox Hall collection) recently changed their tub/shower light bulb? What type/size light bulb is needed? Thanks.
     
  15. alg

    alg Member

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    I had the same sticking problem with the same plastic cover over my bathtub. A little (just a little - no so much as to soak the felt ring between the cover and the fixture) WD-40 around the inside of the metal ring got it unstuck. I smear a little of it around the ring each time I replace a bulb now to keep it from sticking.
     

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