Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, you turn on your ceiling light only to find that….it’s not working. You then notice that one of the screws for your ceiling light fixture is missing. Fantastic. Just what you needed – another thing to add to your ever-growing list of things to do.
But before you start scrambling around on the floor trying to find that elusive screw, take a deep breath and relax. This blog post will provide you with everything you need to know about screws for ceiling light fixtures so that you can get your light back up and running in no time.
Ceiling Light Fixture Screws: The Basics
There are two main types of screws for ceiling light fixtures:
Anchor screws and Support screws.
Anchor screws are used to attach the mounting plate of the ceiling light fixture to the electrical box. The most important thing to know about anchor screws is that they must be installed into a solid backing material for them to work correctly. If your electrical box does not have a solid backing material, you will need to install a block of wood behind it before attaching the mounting plate with the anchor screws.
Support screws are used to attach the canopy of the ceiling light fixture to the mounting plate. Canopies come in all shapes and sizes, so make sure that you select support screws that are long enough to go through both the canopy and the mounting plate, but not so long that they protrude out from the other side of the canopy.
Your local hardware store should have a wide selection of both anchor and support screws for ceiling light fixtures, so finding ones that fit your particular fixture should not be a problem.
Ceiling Light Fixture Screws: Installation Tips & Tricks
Installing screws for a ceiling light fixture is pretty straightforward – just follow these simple tips and tricks, and you’ll be done before you know it!
– First, turn off the power to your ceiling light at your home’s circuit breaker box. This is an important safety precaution that should never be overlooked!
– Next, remove the globes or shades from your ceiling light fixture (if applicable). Doing this will give you better access to the mounting plate and make it easier to install the screws.
– If your ceiling light has a chain or pulls the cord, disconnect it from the wiring before proceeding any further. Again, this will give you better access to the mounting plate and make it easier to install the screws.
– When installing anchor screws, make sure that they are screwed in tight but not too tight. Over-tightening can strip out the threads in the electrical box, making it difficult or impossible to remove the screw if necessary.
– When installing support screws, make sure that they are screwed into a stud for them to hold properly. Trying to screw them into drywall alone will not provide a secure enough hold for your canopy, so don’t even bother!
Conclusion: Hopefully, this blog post has provided you with everything you need to know about finding and installing replacement screws for your ceiling light fixture. Now all that’s left for you to do is head on over to your local hardware store, pick up some new screws, and get started! Good luck!