How to Remove a Broken Lightbulb
by SpinningCone in Living > Life Hacks
41336 Views, 3 Favorites, 0 Comments
How to Remove a Broken Lightbulb
It happens to just about everyone eventually. You go to unscrew that burned out bulb and *crack* you end up with part or all of the glass in your hand, a stubborn stump left in the socket and one question on your mind "how do I get that out of there"?
Well with a little help from your local hardware store it can be easier than you think.
Well with a little help from your local hardware store it can be easier than you think.
Materials
Assess the Situation and Gather Materials:
Right now you will have one of two situations
1) The glass broke away from the base and you have a sharp stump stuck in there.
OR
2) The glass came out intact leaving the threaded part completely empty.
we're going to start with he first scenario and move towards the latter.
What you need:
Glass catcher (large bowl, box etc)
Pliers
5 minute epoxy putty
Flat head screwdriver
Right now you will have one of two situations
1) The glass broke away from the base and you have a sharp stump stuck in there.
OR
2) The glass came out intact leaving the threaded part completely empty.
we're going to start with he first scenario and move towards the latter.
What you need:
Glass catcher (large bowl, box etc)
Pliers
5 minute epoxy putty
Flat head screwdriver
Clean the Stump
Clean the stump
try to use the pliers (or a channel wrench) to unscrew the bulb with the remaining glass. Hold your bowl or box up to catch any glass shards
If you're lucky the bulb stump will come free. if you're unlucky the bulb will be too tight and you will not be able to extricate the threads. In this case use the pliers to break away any glass until you have a clean socket.
Safety Note:
Be very careful cleaning the socket. bulb glass is very nasty and likes to splinter into slivers. you should always look away or use eye protection when breaking the glass. also try to hold your container completely over the socket to catch any flying pieces
try to use the pliers (or a channel wrench) to unscrew the bulb with the remaining glass. Hold your bowl or box up to catch any glass shards
If you're lucky the bulb stump will come free. if you're unlucky the bulb will be too tight and you will not be able to extricate the threads. In this case use the pliers to break away any glass until you have a clean socket.
Safety Note:
Be very careful cleaning the socket. bulb glass is very nasty and likes to splinter into slivers. you should always look away or use eye protection when breaking the glass. also try to hold your container completely over the socket to catch any flying pieces
Use the Epoxy
Now that the socket is clear of glass mix up a chunk of the epoxy putty and carefully pack it into the bulb stump.
Be sure that the epoxy does not touch the surrounding socket or you will glue the stump in!
While the epoxy is still soft stick your screwdriver into the epoxy making an oblong cavity. wait for your epoxy to fully harden. now using that cavity simply use the screwdriver to unscrew the bulb stump.
TaDa! the stump is free.
I came across this technique when the bulb in my refrigerator went out and the entire intact glass came out of the socket leaving the threads slightly rusted in place and in a position I could not reach. I had to use a mirror to even see the socket and after multiple failed attempts and 4 months it occurred to me to buy some epoxy putty.
Be sure that the epoxy does not touch the surrounding socket or you will glue the stump in!
While the epoxy is still soft stick your screwdriver into the epoxy making an oblong cavity. wait for your epoxy to fully harden. now using that cavity simply use the screwdriver to unscrew the bulb stump.
TaDa! the stump is free.
I came across this technique when the bulb in my refrigerator went out and the entire intact glass came out of the socket leaving the threads slightly rusted in place and in a position I could not reach. I had to use a mirror to even see the socket and after multiple failed attempts and 4 months it occurred to me to buy some epoxy putty.