How to Change Your Pool Lights

Most of us dream of living in a house with a pool and very few of us can live this dream. I live in a condo where my neighbors and I share our swimming pool, and whenever there is an issue, we just call maintenance. But if you are one of the lucky ones out there and own a house with a pool, you need to know how to change a pool light because it is an issue that we tend to leave untouched longer than you need to. It is an easy fix that most of us can do in the span of an hour and even less if you are a bit plumbing and tool savvy. So, without further ado, let’s get into this blog and understand and learn how to change your pool lights.

Pool light 101

Most pools have one or more lights used to illuminate them at night and give the pool a more expensive and aesthetic look. And before you ask, no, you don’t have to drain your pool to be able to change the light; I taught that too for the longest while before one of my friends told me that the lights were made to be able to extend and come out of the pool. Crazy right, I was dumbfounded when I found this out. However, you do have to get wet to remove the light socket from the bottom of the pool, and you better use that pool because it will be helpful during this task.

Step 1- switch off the electricity.

You usually only have to switch off the electrical switch that goes to the pool, but just to be sure, just switch off the whole panel; better safe than sorry, right? To do this, go to your house circuit breaker box and locate the breaker, which is for the pool, or if you are an overthinker like me, you would have marked each breaker for the thing they supply. To avoid any confusion, just shut the whole thing off. If your swimming pool is equipped with a breaker, that’s even better and make your life easier; you just have to switch that off then. Take all the precautionary action to avoid electrocution. To ensure that there is no electricity running in the pool, switch the pump on and off to ensure it is really off.

Step 2- Remove the fixture.

This is the time to get wet, so put on your swimming suit or trunk or whatever you want alongside your googles and get into that pool. There is only one thing holding the light fixture in place, and that’s the screw-lock which is a large screw at the top of the light holding it to the pool wall. Unscrew the screw-lock; once this is done, place it somewhere safe away from your pets and kid and keep it somewhere where you won’t lose it because you’ll need it later. If the light fixture doesn’t come out easier, then just use a flathead screwdriver to pry it out of the wall.

Step 3- Replace the bulb.

Once you’ve removed the light fixture and placed it on a dry spot near the pool, it’s time to change the bulb. Be careful not to destress the cable and overextend it, as this will cause further issues. Depending on the model of your light fixture, you’ll either have to unscrew it or pry tabs loose to get to the bulb. Be sure that the bulb you are replacing it with is identical to the old one as different bulbs require different fixtures. To be on the safe side, just take the old bulb with you to the hardware store.

Step 4 – Finishing touches

Now, all you got to do is replace it and check if the light is working. To do so, just switch the breaker back on and see if the bulb is lighting up; if it is, great, you are almost done, now shut the switch off again. Reinstall the fixtures and screw it back on or retab it depending on the model and place it back inside the pool. Turn the circuit back on, and voila, you’ve fixed the pool light successfully.

As always, never be a hero and if you need help, just call a professional, and they will be more than happy to help you out with this. Just because you can do something and that it sounds easy enough doesn’t mean that you have to do it. Sound off in the comments section below and tell us if you have a pool.