Clips that hold a ceiling lamp cover in place might make removing the cover a hassle. The clips holding the cover to the ceiling light will be shown here along with how to remove it. As an added bonus, we’ll go through some precautions you may take to protect the light fixture’s cover and ceiling. Let’s get going!
Many of us will eventually need to swap out faded canopies for our overhead lighting. For example, if you want to upgrade to a newer model or fix a broken cover or fixture, you need to take off the cover.
Tools and Materials
- Ladder or Stool
- Phillips screwdriver
- Grabber tool or old rag
- Wire cutters
- 2 ceiling light fixture clips
- Gloves
A Detailed Guide on How to Remove Ceiling Light Cover With Clips
Step 1: Make Your Plan
The type of lights that are currently placed in the area must first be identified before you can install your new ceiling light. You can decide the best technique to get rid of it once you know that. For example, the light fixture in your kitchen is likely a clip-on fixture if it has two metal hooks on either side of the hole for the light bulb.
This lamp cover has clips, so it would be simple for you to take it from the ceiling by simply pulling it down until it clears both hook arms. The fixture is most likely a hanger-style if, on the other hand, there is only a single large hook that is situated in a corner or along a single wall of your ceiling where the light bulb goes. In order to take down this fixture, you might once again need to remove the cover.
Step 2: Prepare Your Work Space
You should have a secure surface to stand on if you plan to work on your ceiling. Make sure it is set up securely before you start, whether you use a stool or a ladder. Having someone nearby in case you need assistance is also recommended when using a ladder. Simply hold on to either side and lift the ceiling light cover until it comes off to remove it. Once you’re in place, laying down an old rag might help you maintain control of the surface and keep the area clean.
You’ll need a few key tools in order to remove the clip-on ceiling light cover. You’ll need a grabber tool, an old rag, and a Phillips screwdriver for this. In the event that new electrical wiring is required, wire cutters are another option. Don’t try to be Superman, and avoid trying to accomplish this job if you’re exhausted after a long day at work, because it could cause harm.
Put on your gloves as soon as you have the necessary equipment for this project. You don’t want to become dirty just to discover that splinters or falling debris are the source of your injury and that you are not protected.
Step 3: Support the Cover and Locate the Loose Clip
Discover a method for holding the cover with one hand while you start. Typically, the ceiling lamp cover is fastened to its bracket with two clips at either end. A screw may hold one or both clips in place, or they may be sufficiently slack to slide out of their slots and hang freely. With the help of an old rag or a grabber tool, you will need to extract these clips from their brackets while holding the cover steady. Details can be found in the list below:
If the clip doesn’t come undone right away, look around for screws keeping it in place as well as where it connects to the bracket, if necessary, and use your screwdriver to loosen them.
You will need to cut the wires holding the clip if it won’t release easily and if there isn’t a screw holding it in place. Otherwise, your ceiling lamp cover risks falling unexpectedly and injuring someone if there isn’t adequate support.
Step 4: Remove the Ceiling Light Cover
Lift the cover of a ceiling light up first, holding one of the corners or ends steady with the other hand as you do so. The cover can then be completely removed by lifting it off the frame by slipping your fingers inside the wire frame’s loops. In the end, place the cover on a stepladder or stool.
Step 5: Unscrew Cover Attachment
Once you’ve removed the ceiling light fixture, it’s time to examine the side where the former ceiling light fixture’s hanging portion was attached to the base. If necessary, carefully remove any screws that are holding them together. Although it can be time-consuming and laborious, this step is essential in understanding how to remove ceiling light covers with clips. To keep the cover from coming off while you’re using your flashlight, though, is an effort that must be made.
Step 6: Prepare Bracket for Mounting New Cover
Remove any round plastic pins from mounting clips if your new ceiling light cover has them, along with the screws you already unscrewed, and set them away. Leaving the screws in place will allow you to use them later to attach your new ceiling light fixture to its bracket.
Step 7: Take Apart Old Ceiling Light Fixture Base
It’s possible that you’ve noticed that the old light’s base, like the hanging part, is made up of two parts. In the smaller one, electrical wiring that is secured by cable clamps or wires that are screwed together connects it to power sources outside. Lighting socket placement is the more important aspect. Be aware that only the base’s screws or clamps need to be removed in order to release the wiring (if any). Please don’t try to take apart any of the basic parts. They are made to fit together and can’t be taken apart.
Step 8: Screw New Ceiling Light Fixture Base in Place
The Four Attachment Points Are Screwed to Mount It.
By screwing the four attachment points for this component onto your ceiling light bracket, you can mount your new ceiling light fixture in the final installation step. Of the whole process, this is the easiest step. It should then be ready to use after you finish by reconnecting its wiring. Flip the switch for your new ceiling light fixture once you’re happy with how everything looks and re-open the circuit breaker.
Step 10: Clean Up and Enjoy
It’s only necessary to clean up the area where your old ceiling light fixture was and remove the cover from your stool or ladder (if you haven’t already done so) after your new one has been installed. It is your responsibility to clean up any messes you make, especially any screws or wire trimmings on the floor below.Use the following instructions to take off the clip-on ceiling light cover.
Tips and Warnings
Tips:
- Be sure to remove the fuse from the electrical box on the fixture or flip the circuit breaker off before you start.
- Before you remove your light fixture, take a picture of it so you have a visual guide for when you replace the light bulb or cover and need to put everything back where it belongs.
- Turn each light bulb counterclockwise if there are multiple bulbs in the fixture. Once you’re done changing bulbs, pull the last one out of its base to keep glass shards from falling into your light fixture.
- When working with bare bulbs and glass covers, put on protective gloves and eyewear (in case they shatter). Also, keep in mind that older insulation and ceiling tiles often have asbestos in them, so you should take extra safety precautions when working on this project.
- While changing out light bulbs, don’t forget to hold onto your screws because you might need them later when putting everything back together.
Warnings:
- It can be dangerous to remove the fixture’s cover. In order to prevent injury, you should hold onto any falling pieces of glass that may break as you remove the object from the wall. When handling sharp shards, you can avoid cuts and scrapes by wearing safety glasses and gloves.
- The fixtures for ceiling lights weigh a lot. Remember that you won’t be able to raise the fixture very high without pulling yourself up toward it, which could lead to injury.
- If you are not confident in your ability to handle your lighting fixture safely, you should never attempt to repair it. If your ceiling light fixture doesn’t have a removable cover, you can try unscrewing any screws holding it in place before cutting the wires and attempting to work with bare bulbs or insulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Replace the Globe with a Light Fixture?
The fact that every light fixture is unique and might necessitate a slightly different strategy when replacing the globe means that there is no clear-cut answer to this question. However, the removal of the old globe and its replacement with a more aesthetically pleasing or fashionable one, is one approach that might be effective for you. The old globes’ mounting screws could be taken out, and your new globe could then be screwed or drilled into place after you’ve installed the old globes.
Do I Need to Remove Ballast for Led Lights?
No, removing the ballast is not necessary for LED lighting. Actually, ballast can contribute to an extension of the life of LED lights. The ballast is a load-bearing part of the light fixture. It helps spread the weight of the fixture evenly and protects it from damage.
Can You Replace Fluorescent Tubes With Led Tubes?
Unfortunately, LED tubes are not compatible with fluorescent tubes. While LEDs have some advantages over conventional bulbs, such as lower energy consumption and a shorter lifespan, they are unable to produce as much light as fluorescent lamps. When used in places where visibility is important, LED lights may make eye strain worse or cause other problems with vision.
Can’t Get Ceiling Light Cover Off?
can be challenging, but it’s not impossible to remove the ceiling light cover. To accomplish your goals, remember to: When the ceiling light cover begins to come off in pieces, pry it up along the edge with a screwdriver. This technique will allow you to remove every piece as you go around the fixture’s entire circumference.A hidden electric wire or wires may be present underneath the fixture; take care not to damage or scratch them. Using an electric drill and a 3/8-inch bit, remove any obstinate screws that are still holding wiring harnesses or other components in place after all of the screws and covers have been taken off. Then, if necessary, make adjustments by carefully removing any errant wire clips with pliers.
Conclusion
We hope this information on removing a clip-on ceiling light cover was useful. Because they are made of flimsy, thin plastic, ceiling light covers can be difficult to remove. Using clips is the best approach! I’ve found it to be the simplest way to get rid of these kinds of lights. They are inexpensive, costing only $15 to $30 depending on your needs, and can be purchased at any hardware or home improvement store (how many fixtures).
