Something as expensive and large (and beautiful) as a pool on your property, deserves to be given the utmost attention and service. Swimming pool light repair is definitely something that can be done without having to call a professional. With Frank Wall’s expert guidance on how to fix or replace pool lights, no damage will be done to you or the pool.
Get critical advice and troubleshooting tips on pool light repair so you can become your own pool expert. Save time and money with home pool service, done right.
SWIMMING POOL LIGHT REPAIR
When water and electrical circuits are in the mix, extra caution must be used. Light fixtures are engineered to stay dry. Water inside a light fixture means the lens gasket (the rubber ring sealing the plastic housing) is broken or warped. Chlorine and especially if your gaskets are old, can cause them to warp and disintegrate.
Therefore, if water is in any of the housing units, this pool light bulb can shatter at any moment. It’s time to save your pool lights! Before doing any pool light repair, always make sure to follow the advice below.
- Turn off your pool’s electricity from its breaker box.
- Flip the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to safeguard electricity isn’t flowing through the circuits.
- Press a non-contact voltage tester against your light switch as you flip it on and off. This is to completely confirm the electricity is off by detecting any electricity present. This device is also known as an electrical test meter. It can be found at any hardware store and ranges from $10-$30.
- Make sure to have dry towels ready.
- You do not need to drain your pool for any of these fixes.
- It’s a smart idea to swim around your pool with goggles on periodically to check your pool lights for leakage.
HOW TO FIX A LEAKING POOL LIGHT
- Remove the lock-screw.
- Pull the light out of the pool wall and place it on the edge of the pool on a dry towel. (The cable should be long enough to do this.)
- Remove the lens’ frame and take out the warped or broken gasket.
- Replace the old gasket with a new one.
- Reassemble the housing unit. Make sure everything is completely dry.
- Place the housing unit back into the pool wall.
- Refasten the lock-screw.
HOW TO FIX A LOOSE LIGHT FIXTURE
If the ring fixture holding the pool light wobbles when you touch it, this means the lock-screw must be tightened. Grab a Phillips screwdriver and goggles and tighten that screw!
- Have the screw driver right next to you on the edge of the pool on a dry towel.
- With goggles on, get in the pool right next to the loose fixture.
- Find the lock-screw of the fixture. This is a single screw at the very top of a fixture’s face that attaches the pool light to the wall.
- Tighten the lock-screw as tight as it goes.
HOW TO FIX A POOL LIGHT BULB OUT
*For this pool light repair, it’s good to have another person with you. One person looks at the pool light when you turn your pool’s power back on. Also, if you can find dielectric bulb grease, buy some. This will make any bulb much easier to remove.
- Check your breaker box. If the light is still out, the bulb may have burned out.
- Unscrew the housing unit and place it on a dry towel on the edge of the pool near you.
- Put a small amount of dielectric bulb grease in the socket.
- Remove the bulb. Shake it next to your ear. If you hear something loose jingling, this means the bulb has burnt out and needs to be replaced.
- Unscrew the old bulb and place it on the dry towel.
- Screw in a new bulb.
- Test the new bulb by quickly turning your pool’s power back on. (This must be done as quickly as possible because new bulbs will burn outside of water.) It’s best to have someone else look at the light when you’re turning the power on.
CHECK FOR A BAD OR TRIPPED BREAKER
TRIPPED BREAKER
If you do not hear something jingling in the bulb, it could be a tripped breaker.
- Go to your breaker panel. It should be in the OFF position with a red or yellow square showing beside it.
- Make sure to unplug any extra appliances you may have on the same circuit.
- Reset your breaker by pushing it so it’s entirely off, then move it the other way to reset it. (If the breaker robotically flips back to OFF, you may need a new breaker.)
BAD BREAKER
A multimeter detects if and where there is a problem with your pool’s electricity configuration by measuring the electrical current. This can be found at most hardware stores. An obvious characteristic is two prongs attached to a device a bit bigger than a mobile phone.
- Set the multimeter to AC 120 volts.
- Touch the red prong to the hot wire at the breaker. Touch the other prong to the ground screw (located on the device’s side).
- If it’s NOT reading 120 or 240 volts, your breaker needs to be replaced. You have identified the root of the problem, but will probably need an electrician to repair a bad breaker.
LINE CONTINUITY IS IMPORTANT FOR POOL LIGHT REPAIR
JUNCTION BOX
The problem could be in your junction box. You will also need a multimeter for this.
- Go to your junction box (where the electrical lines meet or split to various locations).
- Set the multimeter to AC 120 Volts.
- If it reads 0, there is a problem between the electrical box and the junction box, or the lighting unit itself.
NO JUNCTION BOX
If you don’t have a junction box, check the lighting unit.
- Remove the light housing unit from its niche in the pool wall.
- Remove the bulb.
- Place both prongs of your multimeter into the socket. Your light fixture needs to be replaced if it reads 0.
POOL LIGHT NICHE REPAIR
Swimming pools are a big responsibility with a lot of important moving parts. Have you troubleshooted and failed with pool light repair? Do you still have questions and concerns about replacing or fixing your pool lights or pool light rings? Maybe you’re just not comfortable working with electrical wiring, which is perfectly okay.
Contact Frank Wall Enterprises now for assistance on troubleshooting for pool light repair. They carry the best brands of pool equipment such as from Light Doctor.
Great pool lighting creates a vibrant atmosphere that your family and guests will love. Give your loved ones and yourself the wonderful, fun pool atmosphere you deserve.