How To Pack Away A Chandelier In Australia For Storage

Even though crystal chandeliers in Australia are very beautiful and give our homes a sense of class and sophistication, it may become necessary to take it down and pack it away on occasion. Perhaps you’re having work done on your home that could damage it or you’re moving house. For whatever reason, follow these instructions to ensure that your chandelier is protected:

Step 1: Remove anything from the chandelier that can be taken off, including shades and globes. If you have a crystal style, you can remove these, too, providing that you will not damage the wire or armature. Wrap all these pieces in the next step.

Step 2: Wrap up your chandelier in Australia using newspaper or butcher’s paper, making sure that you focus on one small section at a time. Continue in this way until the whole fixture has been wrapped up, securing the paper with sticky tape as you go. Wrap the whole thing in two or three layers of bubble wrap.

Step 3: Cut two pieces of foam that are two to three inches thick according to the dimensions of the box you prepared earlier. Place one of these pads into the bottom of the box and put the chandelier in on top. Surround it with the pieces of individually wrapped hardware and fill with Styrofoam peanuts. Put the other piece of foam on top and seal the box.

Once you have finished packing a chandelier in Australia, it is important that you clearly write on the box that it is fragile. This way, whenever you or someone else needs to move the box, you will know that you need to take care. When it comes time to finally put the chandelier back together, you should have all the pieces.

How To Replace An Old Ceiling Light Fixture

When renovating or doing up your home, it may be necessary to remove your old outdated or damaged ceiling lights and replace them with some brand new ones that complement your décor vision. These instructions can be highly useful for ensuring that you remove the fixture properly without posing a risk of injury or electrocution.

Step 1: Turn off the power to the room at the main circuit breaker or fuse box to ensure that the light doesn’t accidentally turn on while you are working on it.

Step 2: Remove all of the screws the hold the old fixture to the ceiling. Get a helper to hold the bottom of the light whilst you work. Then, lower the fixture a few inches until the wires are exposed. You will need to unscrew the nuts connecting the wires to the ceiling. Set the old fixture aside.

Step 3: Take a wire stripper and remove about half an inch of insulation from the wire ends of your new ceiling light. With your helper, lift the fixture into place and connect up the wires using wire nuts (match the colours up; you may need the manufacturer’s instructions if they differ).

Step 4: Insert the wires into the ceiling box and screw the fixture into the roof; you may need to drill new holes if they don’t match up with the ones from the old light. Then, turn the power back on and check that the light works.

Whilst it is not necessary to have a helper with you when replacing an old ceiling light, it can be highly advantageous, especially if you are trying to replace a large fixture, such as a chandelier. Make sure that the power has been completely cut before attempting removal, as this will prevent electrocution.

How To Dispose Of The Globes Used In Energy Saving Lighting

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are the names given to the globes that are commonly used in energy saving lighting around the house. Disposing of these lights when you no longer need them, however, is highly important, as they contain a small amount of mercury that could prove dangerous if not handled correctly. These instructions should help you dispose of energy saving globes in the right way:

Burnt Out Globes
Locate your nearest recycling centre that also handles hazardous materials; make sure that they accept old CFLs. Follow any instructions that the employees of the centre give you, including how you should package the globes for recycling.
If you have no other option, place the light inside two plastic bags or one thick freezer bag, then put it into your rubbish bin.

Broken Globes
Open a window and leave the room, ensuring that no one enters it for at least 15 minutes. Then, go back in and collect the fragments of glass and powder using a piece of stiff paper or cardboard – never use a vacuum cleaner. Clean the entire area using a wet wipe or wet paper towel, then use a piece of sticky tape to ensure that all excess powder has been collected.
Place all of the CFL pieces that you have collected (as well as any cleaning materials, such as the wet ones) into a plastic bag. Dispose of this bag in the same way you would a burnt out globe.

Whilst the CFLs used in many of the energy saving lighting fixtures in our homes are highly beneficial in lessening our energy use and lowering our electricity bills, the small amounts of mercury that they contain can be harmful if the globes are not disposed of correctly. Follow the above instructions whenever you need new CFLs.