Light Fixtures: I May Actually Try a Do-It-Yourself Scary Project
I don’t know diddly squat about changing light fixtures … or really anything about any kind of electrical work. Sadly, my Dad was an electrician before he retired. It just scares me. The idea of messing something up which could cause a fire is a doozy. Worse is the possibility that I could shock (or electrocute) myself!
HOWEVER. I’m sitting in my living room staring up at my outdated ceiling fan. I preach to people that changing light fixtures will add value to a home. Seeing updated ceiling fans, globe lights, porch lights, and more really do make buyers feel a home has been cared for when a seller bothers to do that much.
My ceiling fan is ugly. It’s got the mesh-like center to the blades. The globes are round with flowers. One is cracked. I want a new ceiling fan in my living room! So I’ve sauntered over to a Do-It-Yourself site and have read the instructions.
First turn off the power and then proceed to remove the current light fixture - take off the globe or diffuser and the bulb(s). There will either be screws or a cap nut holding the canopy in place - remove these as well and drop the fixture down. Disconnect the black and white wires and check their insulation for cracks.
It looks like all I need to do is connect the new fixture’s black and white wires and then screw it back into the ceiling or remount it if necessary. I might be able to handle that.
But it won’t be next week. I’ll be in Washington, DC traipsing around with my sister and brother. My sister has never been to the nation’s capitol so I get to show her the ropes. We’ll be riding the metro into the mall area from Alexandria, Virginia. I hope to write once or twice next week to keep you posted, but if you don’t see me here every day, you’ll know why.
Hope your weekend is marvelous!
Photo courtesy of levantarmialma via Flickr Creative Commons.
