To Remove Broken Lightbulb, Get a Grip on It

Q We have a light fixture in our bathroom that has four low-wattage lightbulbs. One of the bulbs went out, and when I tried to remove it, it was stuck, and the glass broke. How can I remove it now?

D.C.

Mission Viejo

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A Don’t use a spray lubricant on the socket, because that could damage it, says Kathy McNally of McNally Electric in Los Alamitos. It’s also common for people to take pliers and try to grip the edge of the broken bulb near the socket and try to turn it, but that usually doesn’t work well.

After making sure the switch is off, try taking a pair of needle-nose pliers to the middle of the bulb and extending them out to the sides, applying outward force as you try to turn the bulb.

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Q I’ve noticed that there’s a moist spot on the kitchen ceiling, directly below a bathroom upstairs. I’ve seen no leakage of water in that bathroom, but I assume that the leak must be coming from there. A plumber would probably have to cut the kitchen ceiling to see where the water is coming from. Would the plumber also repair the hole after the work is done?

M.M.

Brea

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A In general, plumbers don’t do finishing work, says Ron Albright of Albright Plumbing & Heating Supply in Los Alamitos. They could probably suggest to you people who can repair the ceiling back to normal. If it’s just a moist spot, it could be a drip coming from a pipe or a leak in the waste pipe or wax seal from the toilet. The only way to tell for sure is to open up the ceiling and see what’s going on.

If you have a question about your home or garden, A Helping Hand will help you find the answer. Send questions to: John Morell, Home Design, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.