how to repair ceiling light hole

Step by Step Procedure: How to Fix Hole in Ceiling From Light Fixture.

• Step 1: Prepare Your Work Area. The first step is to prep your work area. This means covering any furniture or flooring that you don’t want to get ...
• Step 2: Measure the Hole.
• Step 3: Cut a Piece of Plywood.
• Step 4: Drill Holes in the Plywood.
• Step 5: Apply Adhesive to Plywood.

Full Answer

How to fix a hole in the ceiling without removing it?

Center the patch over the hole, then press it firmly against the ceiling around all the sides to make it adhere. The adhesive will cure right away, so you can go ahead and start covering the patch with spackle. You now need to spackle and sand the patch to finish fixing the hole.

How do you fix a sagging ceiling patch?

Place mesh tape over the patch piece and spread joint compound. Apply a second and third coat of the compound over repairs and then sand until smooth. Clean with a damp rag to remove dust; prime and paint the ceiling to match.

How do you fix a recessed light that won't stay up?

Use your jab saw to file away excess drywall until the hole is large enough. It's a monumental problem, on the other hand, if the ceiling hole is too large for the recessed light. Since old-work recessed ("can") lights depend on the drywall to hold them up, if the hole is too big, the light has nothing to hold onto.

Can I change the size of a ceiling hole for light fixtures?

Larry Campbell is an electrical contractor with 36 years of experience in residential and light commercial electrical wiring. Although it's not a common home improvement project, occasionally it may be necessary to change the size of the ceiling hole that holds a light fixture.

How do you repair a ceiling light hole?

2:3514:28Repair Hole In Your Ceiling From Old Lights | THE HANDYMAN | - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI do know the entire ceiling is going to be painted with sealing paint that's a flat paint that alsoMoreI do know the entire ceiling is going to be painted with sealing paint that's a flat paint that also helped hide sealing imperfections in repairs.

How do you fill a hole in a light fixture?

0:243:00How to patch Drywall from Light Fixture Hole - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow we're gonna hold it down with our fingers while we just throw a drywall screw. Right through theMoreNow we're gonna hold it down with our fingers while we just throw a drywall screw. Right through the outside of the hole. Boom there's one. There's two do however many makes you feel good you know.

Can a hole in a ceiling be repaired?

If you have a small hole in your ceiling, you can easily fix it with a mesh drywall patch you can get from a home improvement store. Cut the patch so it's 1 inch bigger than the hole, remove the adhesive backing, and stick the patch over the hole.

What can I use to cover a hole in the ceiling?

0:006:16How to Patch a Hole in the Ceiling | The Best Ceiling Hole Patch Is...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce you have your piece cut you just want to get in there. And remove. It. There we go if this isMoreOnce you have your piece cut you just want to get in there. And remove. It. There we go if this is your first time doing a drywall patch.

How do you fix a hole in a drywall light fixture?

1:134:29How to repair drywall mistakes around can lights- Easy Fix!! #drywallrepairYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPatch. Next apply the perma patch over the can light covering the drywall miss cut. Now using a sixMorePatch. Next apply the perma patch over the can light covering the drywall miss cut. Now using a six to eight inch drywall taping knife apply pressure to the perma patch squeezing out any excess.

Can you put filler on ceiling?

But removing a light fitting can leave an ugly hole in your smooth ceiling. The answer? U-Can Smooth Ceiling Patch and Filler. The the simple, mess free way to repair and restore ceiling plaster.

How much does it cost to repair a hole in the ceiling?

Estimated Cost for Fixing Drywall Ceilings The overall average cost to repair a drywall ceiling is between $320 and $1,300. Labor for a basic ceiling patch job runs about $65 to $90 per hour. For a simple patch, materials and supplies may cost around $30, including tape, fasteners, and mud.

How do you repair a hole in a plaster ceiling?

3:287:58How to Patch a Plaster and Lath Ceiling | Ask This Old HouseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd cut the patch to fit the hole. And the patch is made of 3 8 drywall the thickness of the plasterMoreAnd cut the patch to fit the hole. And the patch is made of 3 8 drywall the thickness of the plaster on the ceiling. Perfect i'll attach it with some inches 5 8 drywall screws.

How do you apply ceiling fillers?

1:114:09Repair and replaster ceilings with U-CAN Smooth Ceiling Patch & FillerYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe paper backing from the self-adhesive patch. And stick over the hole. Press firmly in place makeMoreThe paper backing from the self-adhesive patch. And stick over the hole. Press firmly in place make sure the metal patch covers the hole you are repairing. And it's flat to the surface.

What causes a hole in the ceiling?

Holes in the ceiling can be caused by many things, including leaks, lighting or fixture installation, and simple accidents. Patch small and medium-sized holes with a mesh drywall patch or make a square patch out of a new piece of drywall to fill in larger holes. Either way, cover the patch up with 2 coats of spackling, sanding after each coat, then prime the patch with a water-based primer before painting over it. Soon enough, you’ll have a hole-free ceiling again!

How to make a square hole in a ceiling?

Trace the outline of the patch onto the ceiling around the hole. Center the square patch over the hole and hold it against the ceiling. Trace around the edges with a pencil to draw the outline of the patch on the ceiling so you can cut a square hole.

How to make a furring board patch?

Cut 2 furring board strips 6 in (15 cm) longer than the width of the hole. Furring boards are 1 in (2.5 cm)-thick, 2 in (5.1 cm)-wide pieces of soft wood lumber used for various carpentry purposes. Cut 2 strips of furring board that are 6 in (15 cm) longer than the width of the square hole to be attached inside the hole and hold the patch in place.

How long does it take for spackle to dry?

Let the first coat of spackle dry overnight. Spackle is typically dry after 2-4 hours, but drying times vary depending on conditions. Leave the first coat to dry overnight to be sure it is completely cured before you proceed to sand it and add another coat.

How to cover a patch with spackle?

Use a putty knife to apply a thin layer of spackle over the patch. Scoop up some spackle on the edge of a putty knife. Drag it across the patch to cover it, overlapping the spackle onto the surrounding wall by about 2 in (5.1 cm). Scoop more spackle onto your putty knife as needed and keep applying it until you have covered the patch evenly.

What to wear to fix a hole in drywall?

Wear goggles and a dust mask to protect yourself from drywall dust and debris while fixing holes in a drywall ceiling.

What to put on when drywalling?

Put on safety goggles and a dust mask. You’ll be working underneath the hole, so it’s important to protect your eyes and mouth from falling drywall dust and debris. Safety goggles are better than safety glasses because they fully wrap around your eyes and don’t let anything in.

Tips

Follow these easy tips, and watch the video to make quick work of ceiling repair, ranging from cracks in the ceiling to nail pops, large holes and even removing popcorn ceilings.

How to Remove Popcorn Ceiling

No longer a fan of that popcorn ceiling? It's easier to remove than you might think. Follow these tips from our DIY Basics video: How Do I Remove Popcorn Ceiling?

Prep Work

Painted popcorn ceiling removal is challenging. Test a small area in a corner to see if your ceiling is painted or not.

What happens if you cut a circle around a recessed light?

While wearing safety glasses and hearing protection, carefully cut along the marked line. If you leave too much of the line showing, the circle will be too small to fit around the new recessed light. But if you cut beyond the line, the circle will be too loose and will not properly hold the light fixture.

How to get plastic nibs off a light fixture?

If you have any melted plastic nibs around the cutout, scrape them off with your fingernail. Work this newly created trim piece up and over the light fixture. You likely will need to rotate the ring back and forth a bit to ease it over the protruding sections on the light fixture.

How to cut plastic from cake separator?

Begin by cutting off the legs on the bottom of the cake separator plate. Use any tool that can cut plastic at a nearly flush angle, such as an oscillating multi-tool or even a manual saw held at a low angle.

How to cut a hole that is too small?

If the hole is more than just slightly too small, draw a new circle around the hole and cut along that new circle.

How long has Lee been remodeling?

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years.

Can I change the size of a ceiling light fixture?

Although it's not a common home improvement project, occasionally it may be necessary to change the size of the ceiling hole that holds a light fixture. By far the most common example of this is when replacing an older recessed light fixture with a more modern style. Older recessed light fixtures (also called canister lights or can lights) typically used a fairly large housing that required a large ceiling hole. But modern canister lights—especially those that use newer LED light bulbs—are often quite small. Trying to install these mini canister lights can be difficult when the hole for the old fixture is too large.

Can recessed lights be hung over drywall?

The legs of the recessed light should extend over the new trim and onto the ceiling drywall. If there are any gaps, you can decide to keep them (if small enough), start over with a larger ring cut from new material, or give the gap a little swipe of caulk. Lee Wallender.