School of Decorating

Decorate with Confidence and Create a Home You Love

  • Free Class
  • Videos
  • Blog
    • How to Decorate
    • Simple DIY Projects
    • Life Tips
    • Success Stories
    • Our Home Tour
  • Classes
  • About
  • Contact

How Many Attachments Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb?

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, on purchases made after following an affiliate link. See my full disclosure here.

March 30, 2012 By Jackie

We have 17’ high ceilings in our two-story family room.  Way up there is one recessed can light designed to light the mantle.  I am almost embarrassed to admit the light bulb has been burnt out for over a year.  Finally, we purchased a Light Bulb Changer Kit with an extension pole.

During nap one afternoon, my hubby thought he would take on the quick task of changing the light bulb.  Even with the extension pole, he still had to stand on a bench to reach the light bulb.  He tried the suction cup, but could not get it to stick on the bulb.  He switched to the other attachment designed to grab around the light bulb.  I glanced up a few minutes later to see the extension pole dangling from the ceiling.  The grabber attachment got stuck in the housing around the light.

My hubby tried to pull the pole down, but the attachment was stuck.  As he pulled, the entire recessed housing for the light started coming out of the ceiling.  It was starting to look like we were going to need a really tall ladder.  Then my husband got the extension pole we use for painting.  He used it to push the recessed light back in place and hold it there, while I pulled the light changer pole down.  It worked, but we still had a burnt out light bulb.

I decided to give the suction cup attachment another go.  Before raising the pole to the light bulb, I huffed a bit to breath moist warm air onto the suction cup.  I raised the pole up to the light bulb and pushed firmly.  I held the pole pushing against the bulb for a minute.  It stuck!  While still pushing firmly, I began to slowly untwist the light bulb.  We cleared everyone from the area below in case the bulb fell.  I was able to lower the bulb all the way down still attached to the suction cup.

Now, time to get a new light bulb up there.  I again huffed on the suction cup and then stuck the new light bulb on.  I raised it up and easily twisted it in place.  When I went to pull the pole down I could not get the suction cup to release from the light bulb.  Again we were stuck with the pole hanging from the ceiling.  I tried pulling harder, but the whole light started coming out of the ceiling again.  My hubby had to push it back and hold it in place with his extension pole, while I twisted my pole trying to release the suction.  Finally it came free.

Whew!  When it was all done my husband said “Thankfully the new bulb is a CFL, so we won’t have to change it again for 9 years!”

Despite the trial and error, the light bulb changing kit ultimately worked.  It was the only way to get this job done.  It was worth it to have some extra light in the family room again!!

This post contains affiliate links.   I may receive a commission on purchases made after following an affiliate link.

Previous Post
Magical Balloon Invitations {Baby Shower}
Next Post
Silk Dyed Easter Eggs

Comments

  1. Jessie says

    March 30, 2012 at 7:14 am

    wow! what a task! I feel your pain! my house has high ceilings as well. I don’t know how we are going to change the foyer light bulbs in a fixture taht looks a lot like this http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Flora-3-light-Rust-Patina-Hall-Foyer-Light-Fixture/4457376/product.html

    It has candelabra torpedo bulbs which cannot be changed while below them… who invents these things and what builder thinks it is a great idea to put them up in such hard to reach areas.

    Dare I say we may need to rent a scaffolding just to change a few bulbs. :-|

    • Jackie says

      March 30, 2012 at 7:50 am

      Oh no Jessie. Good luck. If your neighbors have the same lights, maybe you could all go in on the scaffolding rental together and have a light bulb changing party from house to house.

      • Jessie says

        March 30, 2012 at 10:31 am

        I like that idea, Jackie!!! Thanks

  2. Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says

    March 30, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    Perfect timing for this post! My house has two recessed lights installed in my 20′ foyer and I’ve been debating on whether or not to buy a kit like this. I’ll have to reference your post on how to get the suction cup on and off when it’s time to change the bulbs :)

  3. [email protected] says

    March 30, 2012 at 6:03 pm

    Your post made me laugh. I thought you were going to say that the lightbulb shattered. Thank goodness that didn’t happen. Have a great weekend.

    • Jackie says

      March 30, 2012 at 6:50 pm

      Yes, thank goodness Lisa. Trust my visions of shattered light bulb all ove the living room was running through my head the whole time. I hope you have a good weekend too!

Hi, I'm Jackie. I believe you are the best person to decorate your home and I'm here to help.

I teach online decorating classes to help you create your dream home. Click on the images below to learn more about each class.

Take an Online Decorating Class

Best for beginners!

12 Class Bundle!

Get a free copy of my book
Free Decorating


Start reading now...

Follow Me Here

Categories

  • How to Decorate
  • Simple DIY Projects
  • Life Tips
  • Success Stories
  • Our Home Tour
I believe you are the best person to decorate your home. You just need a dash of courage and a dose of decorating know-how. That's why I created School of Decorating.

I know how frustrating it is to feel like failure at home. I also know how amazing it feels when decorating finally makes sense and your home reflects you. I want to share what I've learned so you can create a home you love without years of trial and error.

Get a free copy of my best-selling book Free Decorating

  • How to Decorate
  • Simple DIY Projects
  • Life Tips
  • Success Stories
  • Our Home Tour

© 2018 School of Decorating
 · Terms of Use 
· Privacy Policy
 · Disclaimer




This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Necessary Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.