How To Change Bulbs In Stairwell

LoveRFD [OP]: Deal Addict; May 18, 2005; 3412 posts; 358 upvotes

Nov 11th, 2013 12:37 pm

How do you replace a bulb that is 17 feet high and over the stairs?

I knew this will be a problem when I noticed this light on the first day we moved in. It's over the stairs and 17 feet high, I can't figure out how I can get up there and replace the bulbs.

Nov 11th, 2013 12:40 pm

totheh8ters: Deal Addict; Mar 5, 2011; 1061 posts; 109 upvotes

Nov 11th, 2013 12:40 pm

they sell telescopic lightbulb changers.

Nov 11th, 2013 12:56 pm

Keigotw: Deal Expert; Mar 25, 2003; 16346 posts; 4872 upvotes; Markham

Nov 11th, 2013 12:56 pm

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Nov 11th, 2013 12:57 pm

LoveRFD [OP]: Deal Addict; May 18, 2005; 3412 posts; 358 upvotes

Nov 11th, 2013 12:57 pm

totheh8ters wrote: ↑they sell telescopic lightbulb changers.

I need to remove the cover first then replace the bulbs. The light looks like this one:

[IMG]http://hi.atgimg.com/img/p400/13140/736916259897.jpg[/IMG]

Nov 11th, 2013 1:43 pm

Anikiri: Deal Guru; May 1, 2012; 10144 posts; 10092 upvotes; Markham

Nov 11th, 2013 1:43 pm

Time to get a really tall ladder. How else do you think this will work?

Nov 11th, 2013 2:10 pm

LoveRFD [OP]: Deal Addict; May 18, 2005; 3412 posts; 358 upvotes

Nov 11th, 2013 2:10 pm

Anikiri wrote: ↑Time to get a really tall ladder. How else do you think this will work?

I don't think I can really use a ladder on the stairs. That's why I'm asking here. Probably my best option is to hire someone and replace the light with a chain hanging style light.

Nov 11th, 2013 2:25 pm

enwhyRFD: Deal Addict; Dec 31, 2007; 4781 posts; 1302 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Nov 11th, 2013 2:25 pm

Nov 11th, 2013 2:28 pm

psyko514: Deal Fanatic; May 9, 2009; 6256 posts; 2270 upvotes; Montreal

Nov 11th, 2013 2:28 pm

LoveRFD wrote: ↑I don't think I can really use a ladder on the stairs. That's why I'm asking here. Probably my best option is to hire someone and replace the light with a chain hanging style light.

How do you think it got up there in the first place? And how do you think whoever you hire to replace it will fix it?

Nov 11th, 2013 2:33 pm

LoveRFD [OP]: Deal Addict; May 18, 2005; 3412 posts; 358 upvotes

Nov 11th, 2013 2:33 pm

psyko514 wrote: ↑How do you think it got up there in the first place? And how do you think whoever you hire to replace it will fix it?

Hey I'm here asking questions, not answering questions lol

Nov 11th, 2013 2:49 pm

chimaican: Deal Guru; Oct 23, 2008; 13902 posts; 11098 upvotes; GTA, ON

Nov 11th, 2013 2:49 pm

Pics pics pics....

What's the shape of the stairwell? Is there anywhere to prop up a ladder? And yes, it maybe time to replace that fixture with a chandelier.

Tis banana is IRIE 😎

10% off is cold, 50% off is warm, 75% off is hot, but FREE IS RFD!

Nov 11th, 2013 3:10 pm

langong: Deal Addict; May 10, 2005; 1288 posts; 75 upvotes

Nov 11th, 2013 3:10 pm

LoveRFD wrote: ↑I don't think I can really use a ladder on the stairs. ..

Take picture of the stairs then we might see how to stand the ladder.

Nov 11th, 2013 3:33 pm

Busybuyer888: Deal Fanatic; Apr 4, 2009; 7698 posts; 793 upvotes; North York

Nov 11th, 2013 3:33 pm

chimaican wrote: ↑Pics pics pics....

What's the shape of the stairwell? Is there anywhere to prop up a ladder? And yes, it maybe time to replace that fixture with a chandelier.

+1. If this a main stair case, not a basement or back stair case, then a proper stair case light should be installed.

17' high ceiling is not something one should fool around with. A mishap and it could mean a broken limb or worst.

I would buy new fixture and hire a pro to install a new staircase fixture such that we can change the lights.

If OP does hire someone but doesn't change the fixture - see if LED bulbs will fit. At least new LED bulbs will last a few years.

Nov 11th, 2013 3:53 pm

smacd: Deal Fanatic; Oct 6, 2007; 9209 posts; 6525 upvotes; Kootenays

Nov 11th, 2013 3:53 pm

Very few multi-task ladders will reach 17' to change a bulb. As others have said, a picture would certainly help. If the fixture is directly above the middle of the staircase, it might be possible to use a good 24' extension ladder leaning from the inside stair to an outside wall if you build up a platform on a lower stair. If you're not comfortable on ladders, do not do this, hire a pro. If you are comfortable enough to do this, make sure you have a strong partner to foot the ladder and be very careful.

Nov 11th, 2013 4:27 pm

thelefteyeguy: Deal Expert; Jun 9, 2003; 24986 posts; 2179 upvotes; Markham, ON

Nov 11th, 2013 4:27 pm

if you are going to get someone to do it...it's best to get the whole unit replaced to something that can be changed easily in the future...or get get some LED...hopefully it last 100 years with limited use lol

Nov 11th, 2013 6:15 pm

FastFret: Sr. Member; Jun 12, 2009; 875 posts; 297 upvotes

Nov 11th, 2013 6:15 pm

smacd wrote: ↑Very few multi-task ladders will reach 17' to change a bulb. As others have said, a picture would certainly help. If the fixture is directly above the middle of the staircase, it might be possible to use a good 24' extension ladder leaning from the inside stair to an outside wall if you build up a platform on a lower stair. If you're not comfortable on ladders, do not do this, hire a pro. If you are comfortable enough to do this, make sure you have a strong partner to foot the ladder and be very careful.

wise advice... i did this in my own house, haven't been this much in fear of my life since the last time i skied whiteface in lake placid. basically i borrowed the longest multi-task ladder my neighbor had, extended it fully, rested it against a wall, tiptoed my way to the fixture and managed to unscrew the dead bulb with my fingertips after 15min of trying. not my greatest moment; next time, i'm buying a proper ladder.

Nov 11th, 2013 8:06 pm

GapBoyPCS: Sr. Member; Jan 11, 2008; 637 posts; 93 upvotes; Toronto

Nov 11th, 2013 8:06 pm

Nov 14th, 2013 6:34 pm

hdom: Deal Fanatic; Aug 29, 2006; 7730 posts; 1611 upvotes

Nov 14th, 2013 6:34 pm

This is a general handy man dream, to replace a bulb and get to charge you handsomely for it.

Your options are:

1) "Man up" buy / rent a ladder shown here and go up yourself.
2) Hire someone to do it and "pay" for it.

Either way, install a longer lasting bulb so hopefully don't ever ever need to do again.

The Devil made me buy it - RFD. :twisted:

Nov 14th, 2013 10:08 pm

dec12: Deal Addict; May 6, 2010; 3047 posts; 394 upvotes; Markham

Nov 14th, 2013 10:08 pm

I assume that it has handrails on the second floor. Just climb on the handrails and reach over. That's what my installer did.

Nov 14th, 2013 10:39 pm

mt99808: Member; Jul 9, 2008; 469 posts; 76 upvotes

Nov 14th, 2013 10:39 pm

dec12 wrote: ↑I assume that it has handrails on the second floor. Just climb on the handrails and reach over. That's what my installer did.

Or lean a ladder from the base of the 2nd floor across onto the wall .... Not sure if this will work without pics.

Nov 15th, 2013 9:13 pm

LoveRFD [OP]: Deal Addict; May 18, 2005; 3412 posts; 358 upvotes

Nov 15th, 2013 9:13 pm

Thanks guys. I've decided to hire someone and replace the light with a chandelier. Don't want to risk my life to change light bulbs.