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How to fix a ceiling light

We’ve all become DIY buffs in recent years with the plethora of TV programmes about how to change X, Y or Z about our homes.With the financial pressures really biting, there is even more temptation to try it ourselves when it comes to fixing domestic problems without calling in the (often expensive) professionals.

Most of us could turn our hand to a little decorating – paint and a brush/roller can transform a room in a short time. Wallpapering needs a little more skill, time and patience to achieve the desired effect.
But electrics are serious – potentially dangerous – business and should not be undertaken by an amateur unless he or she is absolutely clear on what to do.

If you are feeling brave and understand the basics of electrics, here is a brief ‘how to’ guide on changing a ceiling light.

Before you do anything, switch off the electricity to the light in question and also at the mains to avoid any danger! The box will usually be found in the garage or a cupboard.

Climbing a secure stepladder, take out the lightbulbs and then remove the cover to the existing light base using a screwdriver. Slide the base away from the ceiling and you will expose the wires – black, white and bare copper or green.

Take a few moments to check which wires were connected to each other and their position within the unit.

Push the black and white wires from the new light fitting through the bolt on the mounting bracket and remove the wire sheathing from the wires.
Twist together the black wire from the ceiling with the black wire on the new light, and the white wire from the ceiling with the white wire on the light.

Attach the bare copper or green wire to the green screw on the mounting bracket and check that all the wires are securely in place. Next secure the mounting bracket to the electrical box in the ceiling – just as the old one was before you detached it.

Screw in the mounting screws, place the new light base onto those screws and slide the unit onto the bracket. Tighten the unit so it is flush to the ceiling and then insert the appropriate lightbulbs.

Return to the mains box and switch the system on, then turn the new light on at the lightswitch in the room. If all procedures have been followed precisely, bingo! Light will stream into the room!

Depending on the style of the new light, you might then find yourself with a simple filling and painting job on your hands to make good the area where you’ve been working – or you might have chosen wisely and picked a fitting which is the same size as the previous one!

If you have a steady hand and follow the picture guide in the fittings, changing a ceiling light does not need to be an arduous job – but if in doubt, call in the experts…better to be safe than sorry!

 

How is My Credit Report Used?

Credit Score Compare
A credit report is often your biggest ally and your biggest enemy. That little sheet of paper is instrumental in determining whether you get everything that you desire in life. Whether you want to get a loan for your child’s college tuition, a vehicle, or a new home, you will need a good credit score to make your life comfortable. Here are a few ways in which your credit score can be useful. You should keep these uses in mind if you have unpaid bills piling up.

1. Your credit score can help you get a new car. Cars aren’t built to last forever, and there will come a point when you will have to invest in a new one. To give yourself the best chance of being approved for a new auto loan, you will have to keep your credit score as positive as possible. When lenders look at your credit report, they want to see the traits of a financially reliable borrower.

2. They can help you send your children to college. There are times when federal financial aid packages don’t do enough to cover college costs. Kids are too young to have established good credit, so they often need their parents to co-sign for them to get their own loan. Parents that have below-average credit scores won’t be able to co-sign for the loan, and it would be unfortunate that your child wouldn’t be able to go to college.

3. A good credit report can help you buy a home. Renting homes isn’t too bad, but it’s definitely better to own a home if you have the means to do so. A positive credit report will make you appear appealing to lenders, and they will be very likely to loan you the money you need to buy a house.

4. Good credit scores can help you get a job. If you have a terrible credit history, you probably won’t be able to he hired for certain jobs. Many employers consider it a sign of maturity to have good credit, and employers today are looking for the best of the best to hire. The recurring theme is that people with good credit will be rewarded, and people with bad credit have an uphill climb.

5. You can get lower insurance if you have good credit. Insurance companies are out to reward people who have good credit, because it establishes them as credible and reputable. You can enjoy the benefits of good credit in this and many other instances in life.

The credit score will follow you everywhere in life. It is useful in many different ways, and can make or break your chances at having the life of your dreams. Don’t let bad credit pull you down, because once it does, it will be difficult to get back out. Establish good credit as early in your life as you can and keep it, and you’ll experience the kind of life you want to live. You can get a free credit score to see what your current credit is.

Andrew Bennett is a finance writer who offers information regarding credit card to repair credit when your credit score has been damaged.

How to fix a replacement ceiling light

Fixing a new ceiling light may appear a simple task, but it can prove to be one of the more complex in-home electrical jobs. Many people attempt to fix new ceiling lights in their home, only to end up calling an electrician because of unforeseen complications. In fact, they may already have successfully installed one ceiling light – only to find that subsequent ones were different!

So here’s how to install a new ceiling light safely – and if you have any problems, remember, just call an expert.

Step 1: turn off the electricity

This doesn’t just mean turn the light off at the switch – take the fuse out of the fuse box. Next, use a non-contact circuit tester, which you can buy at any DIY store, and double-check that there is no electricity passing through the wires.

Step 2: Check the wires

Here’s a handy tip – if you have a smartphone, take a photo of the wires as they are, before you remove the existing light fitting. This will help you when you come to fix the new ceiling light. You may have differing numbers of wires – if you have more than three wires coming from the ceiling, you are using the junction. Equally, if you have three red wires into the central junction of the ceiling rose, fix them together using a terminal block.

Step 3: Unscrew the ceiling rose

Remove the existing light fitting by unscrewing the small screws and easing it out. Now you can loosen the other screws, and remove the ceiling rose, exposing the wires from the ceiling. Take the ceiling rose out completely.

Step 4: Fix the new bracket

You may need to use a specialist joist finder if your pendant is heavy, and always ensure that you are using the right fixings. This means that the bracket will be fixed firmly and will hold the weight of your new light fitting.

Step 5: Fix the new wires

Follow the instructions for your new light fitting given by the supplier – if you don’t have them, give them a call, as each light fitting has unique instructions that need to be followed closely. Make sure that no wires are exposed or trapped, and fix your light fitting to the bracket.

Step 6: Turn the lights on!

Stand back and admire your handiwork – and if it’s not working, do call an electrician.

About the author: Jayne Ball works for In Home 24, an emergency and routine In Home repairs & maintenance supplier, specializing in plumbing, electricity and gas boiler installation.