Changing a light fighting worries

JuzaMum · 15 September 2018 at 12:21PM

I have bought two new light fittings. I am happy doing the electrical side as it is very simple and obvious what to do. The bit I am unsure about is fixing the screws into the ceiling. The ceiling is plaster and lathe and of course the new fittings are a different size to the old so I need to make new holes. What do I do/use to get the screws to 'bite' into the ceiling?
Thanks

Davesnave · 15 September 2018 at 12:34PM

The fitting shouldn't really be attached to the ceiling, be it lath & plaster or plasterboard; it should be screwed to a joist, or in the absence of a convenient one, to a piece of wood of appropriate size fixed between the joists.

-taff · 15 September 2018 at 12:45PM

Your current light fitting should already be screwed to a joist, so you know you'll be good with at least one screw.
You can poke around to find the edges of it, or by the remotest chance, have you got a indicator type tool that can pinpoint the edges of it for you?

diamond_dave · 15 September 2018 at 12:46PM

Why? In any old house the joists never line up and are usually 24" apart so I always screw into the laths - perhaps using a couple of screws.As long as the thing isn't too heavy you'll be fine.

Le_Kirk · 15 September 2018 at 2:49PM

JuzaMum wrote: »

The ceiling is plaster and lathe and of course the new fittings are a different size to the old so I need to make new holes. What do I do/use to get the screws to 'bite' into the ceiling?

I hope it is a very strong ceiling holding up that lathe!

One good tip is to use a bit of wood. If you have a reasonable size hole in the ceiling already, where the cables come through for the existing light fitting, push a small piece of wood through it and let it lie flat on the plasterboard. You can then, whilst holding it down, drill a small hole through existing plasterboard and the piece of wood to take your screws. Take care not to drill into the existing cables or your hand.

JuzaMum · 15 September 2018 at 3:40PM

Thanks all
The light fitting is smallish so not too heavy.
The hole where the wires come out is small.
I will go for fixing it either side of the existing fixing (new fixing is bigger) hoping that's where a joist is and if not keep my fingers crossed it will hold in the lath.
(I will be very careful in case that lathe falls down!)

Changing a light fighting worries

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