How to Remove Porch Light Covers

Some porch lights hang from the ceiling instead of the wall.

Porch light covers are decorative fixtures that cover the bulbs lighting your front entranceway. Some covers are more ornate and difficult to remove than others, but in general, the removal simply requires a screwdriver. You will also need to know where your circuit breaker is, so you can disable the fuse to prevent any electrical accidents.

Things You'll Need

• Dry cloth
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Turn off the power to the porch light at the circuit breaker. It may seem like enough to turn off the switch alone, but someone could come along and turn it on, not seeing you out there.

2. Wipe the porch light cover with a dry cloth to remove any insects, cobwebs, or dirt that could get in your way while you are working.

3. Locate the screws holding the porch light cover to the wall or ceiling. Make sure you have the appropriate screwdriver to remove them. Insert the screwdriver into the screw head and turn them to the left to loosen them. When you get to the last screw, hold the fixture with one hand, and unscrew the screw with the other, so the cover doesn't fall and break.

4. Pull the cover away from the wall or ceiling. The light bulb should remain attached to the electrical components on the wall. If the light bulb comes with the cover, gently pull the wires out of the cover, and unscrew the wire caps to free the bulb.

References

• Acme DIY: How to Replace a Porch Light Fixture