Install Bathroom Light Fixture

Tools:

circuit tester
stepladder
utility knife
hacksaw and keyhole saw
drill
screwdrivers
needle-nose pliers
hand plane
five-in-one painters tool
mud bucket
putty knives
sponge
folding rule
pencil
level
dust mask and safety glasses
light
mesh tape
drywall mud
drywall repair clips
new light fixture

Steps:

1. Before attempting any electrical repairs, turn off the power to the fixture and use a circuit tester to make absolutely certain the power is off. If you do not know how to connect the new fixture, call a licensed professional to make the repair.

2. Remove old light fixture. Take the bulbs out first, unhook the fixture and lift off the wall, then disconnect the wires.

4. If the wires feed into the box from above, then you should have no problem relocating the fixture higher on the wall. However, if they feed in from below you may need to lengthen the circuit.

5. Use the level to mark a perfectly plumb rectangle on the wall to cut a new opening (figure B).

6. Cut away the drywall using a keyhole saw and break it away on the edge closest to a stud (figure C).

7. Hold the new box in position and drill pilot holes for the mounting screws. Attach the box securely to a stud at the top and bottom of the box (figure D). Thread the wires through the box and tighten down the clamp to lock them in place. You may have to break out some tabs on the new electrical box before threading in the wires.

8. Measure the opening for your drywall patch and cut a piece of drywall to fit. Make sure to cut an opening for your new light fixture.

9. Place drywall repair clips around the opening (figure E). This will hold your patch in place from behind.

10. Fit the patch into place and drive drywall screws at points with the clips, through the patch into the clip behind. Make sure you drive the screws in just below the surface of the patch, creating a dimple.

11. Now drive screws through the existing drywall in the same manner, into the clips behind the drywall, going in deep enough to create shallow dimples (figure F).

12. Use needle-nose pliers to break off the small tabs of the drywall clips (figure G).

13. Smooth texture around the area with the hand plane, then spread some drywall mud over screw heads and along border of patch.

14. Place mesh tape around the perimeter of the patch. Make sure you do not overlap the pieces of tape or you could wind up with a bulge in the repair. Now cover entire patch with a smooth layer of drywall mud. Work carefully until the patch disappears.

15. Give the mud a couple of hours to dry, then attach mounting bracket for new fixture to the electrical box.

16. Connect wires with wire nuts and mount the light fixture according to manufacturer's directions.