Removing Wall Lights Safely

First determine if the wall you want to remove is a load bearing wall meaning it supports the floor above.

Removing wall lights safely.

When you have distinguished the wires turn off the breaker and remove the other wire from the terminal. Surround sound cables behind the walls. 1 x research source these are large pieces of lumber going across the house from side to side supporting the floor roof and are generally 16 apart. With a few tools and a bit of practice you will be able to remove light fixtures in your own home both quickly and safely.

Or the previous owners may have buried the wires behind drywall an extremely dangerous practice. This means sealing off the wiring in the electrical box to which the fixture was attached so the wires are still live but aren t powering anything and aren t a danger. Remove the light shade or bowl unscrew the light bulbs and take off the fixture plate to expose the wires. If you ve got an old light fixture in an area where you don t need a light and you don t want anything there you ll have to cap off the circuit.

When you remove or open a wall or a ceiling you may encounter stray electrical wires the wires may have lead to an outlet or a light that has been taken out of commission. I am redecorating and have wall mounted lights currently which i will be taking down. Disconnect the wires at the switch if you plan on permanently removing the light. Before you begin working on a light fixture always turn the power off first.

Then work on installing the new. You will need to remove he old light fixture for replacement or possible relocation to another area. Turn the breaker back on then test the leads on both switch terminals with a voltage tester. Go into your basement or crawlspace and look at the alignment of floor joists.

Many new homes may come with inexpensive builder grade lighting that many home owners can upgrade themselves to better quality fixtures. An outdoor light fixture can also be a necessary safety feature. Remove cable completely terminate cables to a chocblock but then you must chop in a backbox and use a blanking plate bit unsightly in the middle of the wall disconnect the leg of the circuit that supplies the lights leaving cables in place with ends terminated this is a last resort. If i seal off the wires and just push back into the wall will this be okay.