I was changing a light bulb on the ceiling of my laundry room and the glass bulb came loose from the silver thingy (i think that's what it's call now days). The stem is still in the socket and I can't get it out. What's the best way? I tried a potato, but there wasn't any glass left on the stem to grasp it. What is a poor girl to do?
2007-02-16 14:07:26 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I've done it by grabbing the edge with a pair of needlenose pliers and twisting it out. Just make sure you turn off the switch first or better pull the fuse or switch off the breaker.
2007-02-16 14:51:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a pair of pliers(needle-nose pliers if you have them) and do one of the following: try to grasp the edge of the aluminum base (the silver thingy) with the pliers and carefully turn it until it unscrews - go slow because the silvery thingy bends very easily. OR insert the pliers (closed) into the silver thingy and then OPEN the pliers so that the two jaws wedge into the sides of the silver thingy. Place your hand inside the grips and apply pressure so that the jaws of the pliers stay tight against the walls of the silver thingy. Slowly turn the pliers which should unscrew the silver thingy from the socket. Good luck!
2007-02-16 14:16:07 · answer #2 · answered by zowar1363 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Potato? Sure.? Or you could use a pair of needle tipped pliers to bend out about a quarter inch of the "thingy". Grip that with the pliers and rotate do not twist or spin it out. You could always go caveman and just shred the stem untill satisfied. Try putting a new bulb partially into the old one getting them jammed together. Oh, yeah disconnect power.
2007-02-16 14:21:05 · answer #3 · answered by anton t 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't waste food like that, I urgently warn you not to use the potato, I used to be a Fireman and I have seen plenty of house fires because of this. Do not use a potato!!!! It may work for some, but then you have potato residue left over and you have to clean that off. A lot of people forget about that, then they turn the electricity back on they wonder what the smell is.
Here is what you do..
Shut the power off get a pair of pliers and unscrew it that way.
2007-02-16 14:18:20 · answer #4 · answered by A 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok, this is gonna sound weird but I swear it works! First, BE SURE YOU HAVE THE POWER OFF TO THE LIGHT! Then cut a potato in half and push the cut side of the potato into the broken stem and unscrew it. The potato will wedge in there and hold the stem as you loosen it. I can't stress it enough though, be sure you've turned off the power. To be absolutely sure, turn off the circuit breaker to that room.Good luck!
2007-02-16 14:11:55 · answer #5 · answered by ladysashya 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MAKE SURE SWITCH IS OFF!!!!! Use gloves (in case any further glass breaks) and small-nosed pliers. Insert the pliers into the remaining base and unscrew. Otherwise, use small-nosed pliers and grab the metal edge of the broken bulb base, bend the thin metal base inward and twist counterclockwise, not letting go of the metal - again being sure SWITCH IS OFF!!!
2007-02-16 14:12:59 · answer #6 · answered by waynebudd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn off the power at the fuse box and use a pair of pliers to turn it counter clockwise. Don't worry about bending the metal because it will just make it easier to get a grip on it.
2007-02-16 14:35:29 · answer #7 · answered by Dick G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1st you go shut off the breaker that leads to that room. If you don't know which 1 it is then just shut all of them off, of course when its daytime and you have natural light. then you get a pair of needle nose pliers and grab a hold of the inside middle of it and turn it counter clockwise. DONT BE SCARED. once the breakers are down, the electricity is completely off and there is no risk of getting shocked.
2007-02-16 14:24:25 · answer #8 · answered by self 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear Lord people....Forget using something that contains liquid to get the light bulb stem out!Shut the light off.Take duct tape and make a pointy,fat shape,,STICKY SIDE OUT! Put that sucker in the soccet and turn left.left.left...out it comes!
2007-02-16 14:25:41 · answer #9 · answered by loveyouoshinystar 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ya, why would you waste ur time trying to use some fruit or vegetables. just shut off the breaker and use neddle nose pliers to unscrew it. if you cant tell what breaker its on because there is no light to go out when u shut the breaker off. be safe use a tester. here is an inexpensive tester $10-$15, that will beep if there is voltage. http://www.shopping.com/xPO-Gb_Electrical_Gb_GVD_504A_Circuit_Alert_Non_Contact_Voltage_Tester
2007-02-16 14:28:20 · answer #10 · answered by BigJCliff 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋